Children's Home run by Thunderbolt Mobile Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC055153 Inspection date 29/10/2012 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a mobile service. It takes up to 3 yp in single occupancy placements. The service has at its disposal a canal boat, an ocean going yacht, and utilises a range of rented properties and holiday accommodation such as caravan sites and camping. Locations and movement of yp in the service are dependent on individual need. Placements are usually, short term, but can turn into longer term if required.

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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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

At the previous full inspection this service was judged as good. Since then the service has made inadequate progress. In July 2012, the previous registered manager left the service, but was quickly replaced with a new manager. The new manager is starting to have a positive impact on some areas of the service. However, Ofsted has still not received a completed application for registration.

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Progress

Of the three recommendations carried over from the previous inspection, two have been addressed. This has led to improvement in recording the arrangements in place for young people to see someone independent of the service when they return from being missing and recently, in the evaluative and quality assurance content of external monitoring reports. However, there has been a lack of consistency in completing internal and external monitoring since the previous inspection, meaning the relevant regulations have not been met. A third recommendation for internal monitoring reports to be submitted to Ofsted every six months has not been addressed, with no reports received since the previous inspection.

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Progress

A new requirement was made in August 2012 following a complaint investigation. This was linked to the standard of accommodation at one of the facilities used by the service. As a result, improvements have been made to the state of the property and its fixtures, fittings and décor, with more still to be implemented.

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Progress

Some significant areas of progress have been made since the previous inspection. Notably with the revision, updating and general overhaul of numerous recording systems resulting in improved weekly records being kept on young people. The manager has also revised and updated the formal supervision and appraisal programme for staff which should give staff greater support and direction once fully imbedded into working practice.

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Progress

It was not possible to speak with any young people due to their personal arrangements. However, generally the welfare and individual needs of young people is being addressed positively. This view is supported in views given by the social worker of a young person who until recently, had been in a long-term placement. Her views about the service were positive which ended with the following conclusion; `Overall, the care was of a high standard and has contributed to the successful rehabilitation of the young person.'

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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) ensure that external monitoring visits are undertaken monthly with copies of reports sent to Ofsted within the recommended timescale (Regulation 33 (3)(5a)) 17/12/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the internal monitoring of the service takes place at appropriate intervals with copies of reports sent to Ofsted at six monthly intervals.(Regulation 34(1a)(2)) 17/12/2012

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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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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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