Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005066 Inspection date 16/07/2012 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private company.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

This home is a resource used by the provider for young people who may be in crisis or requiring a brief solo placement. For example, to defuse conflict between young people from the provider’s other homes and for specific child protection needs. It provides opportunity for young people and staff to work together and reflect on their circumstances and to develop ways to manage challenging behaviour. There have been no overnight stays since the last inspection.

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Progress

The focus of this inspection was to confirm that the children's home meets the statutory requirements in order to maintain its registration and that the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard in the event of an emergency admission.

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Progress

As the home is currently unoccupied, it does not have a permanent staff team. The provider has arrangements in place to ensure that suitable staff would be available promptly when a young person moved into the home. The young person would move to the home with staff members who they know and are familiar with. The number of staff on duty would be dependent on the individual young person's assessed needs. Risk assessments would be in place for lone working and only experienced staff allowed to work within this home. Permanent staff are based within the provider's other homes and continue to receive formal supervision and mandatory training.

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Progress

The company has a robust set of policies and procedures, which are used in this home and the provider's other settings and meet minimum requirements. Monitoring processes for the running of the home and reviewing the quality of care for young people are in place. The Registered Manager undertakes routine monitoring activities, in addition to the independent monitoring visits by an independent person.

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Progress

There are processes to promote, maintain and monitor health and safety in the home. There are generic risk assessments relating to the home. All weekly monitoring checks are in place in the home and meet requirements. There are routine fire safety and security checks.

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Progress

Arrangements to promote the health and meet the medical needs of young people are in place. There are clear procedures and recording formats for implementing and meeting young people’s health and medical needs. There are policies and procedures in place regarding the safe handling and administration of medication with appropriate storage facilities available.

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Progress

Arrangements to promote the safety and welfare of young people are in place. The home has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The home also has procedures in place to notify relevant bodies in the event of a young person going missing. A joint protocol for children missing from care is in place. All staff who work within the home would have a proven good understanding of the relevant policies and procedures and ability to implement them when necessary.

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Progress

The home’s Statement of Purpose provides accurate information about the home. Young people receive a children’s guide which contains information on their care, advocacy, contacts and the details for Ofsted. Young people have access to their own telephone to make private calls. This ensures that young people are able to express any concerns they may have independently of the staff team. Complaints procedures and a complaints form are within the bedroom designated for young people.

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Progress

The home has recently been redecorated, however, due to unforeseen circumstances needs further decoration. The home has new carpets throughout and a good standard of furnishings. The young person’s bedroom is appropriately furnished and ready for immediate occupancy. The home’s design and size are consistent with its purpose and function. There is a well-equipped kitchen with all equipment in full working order. Emergency provisions are in stock with staff able to access a budget when needed.

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting. (NMS 10.3)

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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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