Children's Home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Sandwell

Unique reference number SC404994 Inspection date 30/10/2012 Inspector Elizabeth Barrett Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of a number of homes operated by the same organisation. The home has been set up as part of a tendering contract with a local council to provide care for no more than three children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2012, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate. Five requirements and four recommendations were set as part of this inspection. This home has demonstrated a good capacity for improvement by meeting all the requirements and recommendations set at the last visit.

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Progress

The home was required to improve their recording of restraints, sanctions, and measures of control. New systems have been introduced to the home, which ensure all recording is in line with legislation, and through clear procedures which are known and understood by all staff. Comprehensive individual risk assessments are in place which are reviewed and updated regularly.

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Progress

The service was also asked to ensure sufficient numbers of suitably experienced and competent staff were available in the home, and to reduce the use of agency staff. The home has successfully recruited qualified and experienced staff, including staff with social work qualifications. Additionally, the provider has recruited care bank staff to ensure contingency measures are in place, and to limit the use of agency staff at any one time.

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Progress

A further two requirements were set in relation to the notification of significant events, and the monitoring of practices in line with Schedule 6. The home now ensures that all notifications are made in a timely manner, in addition to developing a robust system for communicating all safeguarding concerns with key agencies.

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Progress

For those young people who continue to display concerning behaviours and episodes of missing from home, the service has built strong partnerships with the local authority, police and safeguarding personnel. Records evidence individual strategy meetings identifying risk factors, and implementing specific protocols and procedures for notifying and managing incidents. Placing authorities now benefit from good quality and efficient communication, which enables them to monitor the safety and quality of each placement, and respond to individual concerns promptly.

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Progress

Regulation 34 checks are routinely undertaken alongside external monitoring visits to the home which includes monthly consultation with young people. The provider is further developing a new framework for monitoring and quality assurance activities, to enable outcomes to be more effectively measured. Reports of these checks provide an overview of the homes day-to-day practices, with responses made to any actions set. However, medication logs show that some minor recording shortfalls have not been addressed following the last external monitoring visit.

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Progress

Since the last inspection there have been changes to the leadership and management of the home. All outstanding matters in relation to the Registered Manager are now concluded, and this individual is no longer employed by the company. The home is being managed by a senior manager for a transitional period, who is in the process of applying to Ofsted for the registration of this service, whereby consistency of practice and progress is maintained. Staff morale is at a higher level with more support in place both individually and as a team. Comments from staff include, 'An improvement since the last inspection is that we as a staff team now have stronger relationships with young people, and the focus is clearly on improving things for them.'

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Progress

The recruitment of qualified and experienced staff to this home has meant that young people are now receiving a good quality of care, and are building positive attachments with the adults who care for them. The home has addressed the recommendation in relation to the placement of new young people, by only admitting young people who are appropriately matched, and at a time when staffing levels are increased and stabilised. Young people are positive about the quality of care and support that they receive, and confirm that they feel safe living in the home. They also say that they have good relationships with staff, and that staff are friendly and go out of their way to help you.

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Progress

Young people’s care records are now of a good standard and continue to be regularly updated. These ensure staff work consistently and that they are able to support young people with their daily lives. Since the last inspection new in-house placement plans have been implemented that clearly promote young people's achievements, and attainments through encouraging their involvement in all aspects of their placement objectives. The placement plans are written in a format that young people understand and include a space for their comments, with evidence of a young person's signature in several areas of their plan. All young people have educational plans including working towards qualifications and work experience placements, which are fully encouraged and supported by staff.

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Progress

Young people benefit from well-planned and consistently implemented daily routines and structures. Staff say that handovers are much improved, with all staff motivated to provide a good quality of care to all young people. Further work has been done to ensure that young people are consulted about the running of the home through regular house meetings, key working and one to one sessions. Young people confirm that the rules of the home are fair. Sanctions are rarely used, and that behaviours are mostly responded to positively. However, records show that for some young people, individual responsibilities and strategies for managing their own behaviours are not always clearly recorded in their personal plans.

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Progress

The home has a revised and detailed Statement of Purpose in place, which accurately reflects the changes in the staffing and operations of the home. The children's guide is current and young people spoken to say that they discussed this thoroughly with staff during their admission process. Young people say that they are aware of how to make a complaint and access independent advocacy, with an advocate visiting one young person during this visit.

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Progress

Improvements have been made to the premises to make it more homely. The home has benefitted from new carpets and rooms have been redecorated, with new furnishings in place. The home is currently undergoing major building alterations work which will increase the capacity of the service. Staff and young people confirm that this work is not affecting their day-to-day living arrangements.

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Progress

The home has a development plan in place which is currently being reviewed in line with improvements to the home and its systems. Senior staff keep up to date with new legislation and practice developments and share these with staff to improve the quality of service. The newly formed staff team are motivated, organised and understand the roles and expectations placed upon them. There is a clear commitment to building on the improvements made to this home, and working towards continuously improving outcomes.

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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 children are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour, in a way that is appropriate to their age and abilities, with clear targets included in their individual care plans (NMS 3.6)  maintain in the home a written record of all medication given to children during their placement, that is signed in accordance with the homes policies and procedures. (NMS 6.15)

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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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