Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC369840 Inspection date 03/10/2012 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 16/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by the local authority.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

p.3

Overall effectiveness

This outstanding service provides consistent quality care delivered by a motivated and well-managed staff team. The strong leadership makes the service effective in improving outcomes for young people. The strengths lie within quality placement planning and excellent behaviour management that ensures young people receive the best possible service.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Staff consider safety a high priority and young people are exceptionally safe. Young people feel safe and nurtured in an environment reflective of a loving family home. Relationships are excellent and young people have a strong input into the running of the home.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The manger understands the strengths and weaknesses of the service and is committed to improvement in the delivery of quality care. There is one minor shortfall within the service and as a result, a recommendation has been made.

p.3

Recommendations

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

p.3

Recommendations

 ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of children; in relation to autism training. (NMS 18.1)

p.3

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make excellent progress in education because staff are committed to helping them achieving their best. Staff comment that young people enjoy school and do not present any problems in relation to attendance. Young people are ambitious and are clear about their personal goals and aspirations. Additional support services help young people to plan for their future which means they access the most appropriate setting to maximise their learning potential. As a result, attendance is excellent and young people’s life chances are improved.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from routine health checks that ensure they remain fit and well. Young people understand the importance of their health and fitness because they do not take part in activities detrimental to their health such as smoking. Staff comment, young people know the right choices to make that enhance their diet because they understand the importance of five fruit and vegetables a day. Young people choose fruit and vegetables appose to sugary snacks when preparing their own lunch. This means young people continue to maintain a healthy diet that improves their well-being.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people take pride in their appearance and their personal hygiene because they have a positive self- image. Young people know why they are in care and work hard to understand who they are through regular discussions with staff called, ’all about me’. Staff say, ‘young people are smart and appearance is good their confidence is better.’ As a result, young people form strong bonds with others and confidence and self-esteem excels.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy contact with those significant in their lives. Staff comment that some young people now receive contact with additional family members. This means important family relationships are strengthened, this significantly enhances the bond between young people and their family. Some contact arrangements are required to be supervised. Young people are exceptionally well supported during these times and as a result, contact takes place and relationships improve.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people achieve great success in maximising their independence skills and as a result, some young people have moved to independent living. Young people show excellent skill and knowledge in their ability to undertake activities necessary to live independently. For example, young people budget, shop, cook, clean and do their own washing. This means young people take responsibility for their selves in preparation for leaving care and become successful in living independently.

p.4

Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

p.4

Quality of care

Staff provide excellent quality care because they are passionate and dedicated to improving the lives of young people. Young people thrive from the nurturing approach that is reflective of a loving family home. As a result, relationships are strong and respectful and behaviour is appropriate.

p.4

Quality of care

Staff understand the individual needs of young people because the placement plans are clear and precise. The joint partnership working is highly effective in meeting the needs of young people because staff place young people central to the care they provide ensuring that all relevant professionals provide their input. As a result, the quality of care young people receive is a high standard. Young people voice their views and opinions through regular discussion that takes place in different forums specific to meet their individual needs. For example, where it is difficult for young people to engage in group discussion staff provide opportunities to gain young people’s views through open discussion in a more relaxed environment. As a result, the wishes of young people are gathered; albeit in a less formal way. This continues to affect the running of the home because young people feel listened to and action is

p.5

Quality of care

taken to meet requests and consider change. Young people benefit from advocacy services that also ensure they are provided with and independent service to speak on their behalf. This ensures complaints or concerns are dealt with fairly.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people have excellent support from staff to ensure they attend and achieve to the best of their ability because they are persistent and encouraging about education. Staff say, ‘we ensure young people are well prepared the night before school by having all belongings and homework prepared.’ Staff form strong bonds with external agencies that work in partnership to secure the maximum potential of young people. As a result, young people achieve excellent results from their starting point and confidence improves.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people gain access to activities tailored to their individual needs. Staff provide a variety of stimulating opportunities that encourage social development chosen by young people. For example, some young people attend badminton and go fishing. These opportunities promote a positive self-image and recognise personal taste and skills. As a result, young people feel valued and socially included despite the difficulties they face.

p.5

Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

p.5

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people’s safety is given a high priority and staff are effective in their care at keeping young people safe. Staff ensure risk management does not impinge on the everyday life experiences of young people allowing them to grow and develop without compromise. Staff say, ‘when young people go out we stay in touch by calling their mobile phone.’ This provides young people with independence and skill to manage their own safety. As a result, young people feel empowered and trusted in being given freedom to be more responsible for their own choices and actions. Young people understand the need to keep themselves safe and staff regularly evaluates the understanding of young people by providing teaching sessions such as ‘stranger danger’. This allows staff to highlight risk and implement support.

p.5

Safeguarding children and young people

The home is maintained to a high standard and staff confirm the home is monitored regularly to ensure it complies with health and safety regulations. Young people take part in fire drills and understand their responsibility in keeping the home free from hazardous risk. Accidents are recorded and handled appropriately because all staff are trained in first aid and provide the necessary support required. This means young people are treated with assistance at the earliest opportunity.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff receive excellent quality safeguarding and child protection training. Staff are clear about the procedures for reporting unsafe practice or concerns for children’s welfare. Young people feel safe in the home because they trust the staff and know their welfare is important. Young people do not go missing and return to the home on time respecting their individual boundaries. This means young people are safe in their environment and understand how to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people demonstrate exceptional behaviour that is respectful to each other. Staff confirm young people have excellent behaviour and do not engage in activities that put them at risk. Young people are praised and offered incentives to encourage positive behaviour. Physical intervention is not used because relationships are positive and young people understand how to manage their behaviour and know the impact it has on others. This means, behaviour programmes are effective and young people develop excellent social skills.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

The home demonstrates a robust recruitment process that protects young people from the risk of any unsuitable candidates having access to them. The home benefits from new staff that confirm the process of recruitment is strict and they could not start employment until all clearance checks were confirmed and verified. This keeps young people safe.

p.6

Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good .

p.6

Leadership and management

The home benefits from a Registered Manager and a committed staff team that are passionate in the delivery of quality care. The home benefits from recent structural changes and there is now an assistant care manager to support the manger. This enhances the service because staff are better supported and young people receive consistent continuity of care.

p.6

Leadership and management

The home is monitored and Regulation 33 visits take place regularly. The manager completes Schedule 6 monitoring monthly and evaluates the service through information gained. There is a development plan in place that provides targets for improvement and staff confirm they are consulted about how they wish to shape the service delivery. This improves the quality of care.

p.6

Leadership and management

Staff benefit from regular supervision and personal development annual reviews. This assists their personal development and enhances skills to improve the delivery of care. Staff receive excellent training to support them in their role; however, some specific training has not yet taken place. This impacts on the skill and knowledge of staff and hinders their ability to fully understand individual needs.

p.6

Leadership and management

The home protects confidential and sensitive information because staff recognise the importance of keeping data safe. Staff confirm records are held in a locked office which only has access to authorised personnel. This protects confidential information.

p.7

Leadership and management

The standard of the home is of a high quality and reflects a warm and welcoming home where young people thrive and feel nurtured.

p.7

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.

p.8

About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

p.8