Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC051739 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Philip Cass Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered for three young people with learning disabilities. The home is part of a private organisation which has several homes within the area.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

At the last inspection in December 2011, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was judged to be satisfactory.

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Progress

Five requirements and five recommendations were made at the last inspection. These matters have been adequately addressed.

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Progress

The registered person was required to ensure that sanctions involving the deprivation of food are not used in the home. No such sanctions have been imposed since the last inspection. Staff have been given clear guidance in relation to the imposition of sanctions. As a result, young people receive sanctions that are reasonable and proportionate.

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Progress

Two requirements and a recommendation were made to improve the standard of recording in sanction and restraint records. Records are now compliant with regulation. The effective monitoring of restraint and sanctions is promoted because records include the duration of restraints, the views of young people, and an assessment of the effectiveness of measures used.

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Progress

The home was required to ensure that children have access to a telephone on which to make and receive calls in private. The home has provided each young person with a mobile phone. The well-being of young people is improved because they are now able to speak privately to family, friends and social care professionals. A young person commented that she is very happy with this arrangement.

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Progress

A requirement was also made to comply with the home’s conditions of registration. The home is still operating in breach of its conditions of registration by caring for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. However, progress has been made towards the home changing its conditions of registration in line with the requirement. This process is almost complete. The home has also amended its Statement of Purpose to accurately reflect the needs of the children it is able to accommodate. As a result, local authorities are given clearer information about the services provided by the home.

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Progress

It was recommended that the home ensure that the liberty of a child is not restricted as a matter of routine. Since the last inspection, the home has made individual assessments of risk to ensure that, when doors are kept locked, these restrictions are necessary, appropriate and proportionate.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that staff understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviours presented by young people in the home. Staff have been provided with clear guidance in relation to managing their own feelings when presented with challenging behaviour. Staff now take regular breaks and are encouraged to adopt a more reflective approach when managing complex behaviours. This means that young people benefit from staff who are better equipped to meet their needs.

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Progress

It was recommended that the home support children’s social and emotional development. Key-work sessions are now used to promote social skills and emotional development. Key-work sessions are also used to provide young people with information about race and diversity issues. When young people resort to inappropriate language to cope with anxiety and stress, this is discussed frankly. Young people are now better supported to develop emotional resilience.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that staff of both genders are employed by the home whenever possible. Following an assessment of care needs, and consultation with current residents, the home now operates with an exclusively female staff team. This decision reflects the wishes of young people and reflects current care needs. The home’s self-assessment has identified that, as the care needs of young people change, the staffing arrangements may also need to change. Young people benefit because the organisation is sufficiently flexible to be able to alter the staff gender balance as determined by the needs of young people.

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Progress

The dedicated and enthusiastic staff team build strong and trusting relationships with the young people. These relationships are the foundation of the home’s effective behaviour management strategies. One young person said that the staff are ‘great’. Positive behaviour management strategies have led to a significant reduction in incidents of physical intervention. The home has improved the well-being of young people by acting on their suggestions to improve the home. These suggestions have resulted in young people’s artwork being displayed, the purchase of more comfortable chairs, and improved information-sharing systems.

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Progress

Staff rotas do not have time scheduled to ensure handovers are held. Current handover procedures are effective, but they are dependent on the goodwill and flexibility of staff who remain on duty when their shift is finished. The lack of a defined time to read or receive a handover means that the needs of young people could be overlooked.

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Progress

Although the home is in the process of appointing a manager, ineffective recruitment procedures mean that the home has not had a Registered Manager for several years. The acting managers, supported by senior staff within the organisation, have completed key management tasks to a satisfactory standard. However, the continued uncertainty around the home manager position does not promote improvement. The home’s capacity to improve is further weakened by the lack of an up-to-date development plan. The acting manager undertakes regular quality assurance checks under Regulation 34. These checks identify weaknesses and promote improvement but are not supplied to Ofsted as required.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) supply to the HMCI a report in respect of any review conducted by him for the purposes of Regulation 34 (Regulation 34 (2)) 31/08/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) appoint and put forward a registered manager. (Regulation 7) 31/08/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirming the continuation of the home’s current operation and resource (NMS 15.2)  ensure that staff rotas have time scheduled to ensure handovers are held. (NMS 17.6)

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