Children's Home run by Pear Tree Projects Limited in Durham

Unique reference number SC007608 Inspection date 06/11/2012 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is provided by a private organisation.

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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

The home was judged to be good at the full inspection on 13 June 2012. At that inspection five requirements and one recommendation were made. All have been addressed in full. As a result, improvements have been made to: the children’s guide; recording of restraints and incidents where young people go missing; consultation with young people, parents and social workers in internal and external monitoring; and pathway planning for young people moving into adulthood.

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Progress

Young people continue to achieve good outcomes and make steady progress in all aspects of their lives. All are doing well at school and enjoying healthy lifestyles. Young people participate fully in the range of very varied activities provided by the home. They also benefit from regular involvement in community-based activities. For example, young people who attend army cadets and the Guides are looking forward excitedly to marching in the forthcoming Remembrance Day service in the local town. One is particularly pleased to have been chosen to carry the flag.

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Progress

Recently, the home held an event to raise money for an orphanage in Africa. This was the culmination of a project to involve young people in the work of the charity and make them aware of the plight of others less fortunate than themselves. Young people baked cakes and made craft items to sell at a garden party in the grounds which friends and neighbours attended. In addition to thoroughly enjoying the whole exercise, young people have acquired a genuine understanding of people whose race and culture is totally different to theirs.

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Progress

The home keeps young people safe. There have been no restraints since the last inspection and minimal incidence of young people going missing. Recruitment practice is robust, ensuring that only people who are suitable to work with young people are appointed. It is commendable that the provider gives some training in child care practice even to ancillary staff, such as maintenance personnel. However, these staff have not been trained in basic safeguarding awareness. This means that they may not know how to respond appropriately to a young person if they express a concern to them.

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Progress

Young people have group meetings on a monthly basis, although they do not always fully engage with this process. There is more effective consultation with young people on an individual basis, where they can make choices in regard to, for example, activities and menus. One young person said, ‘I feel that staff listen to me even though I can’t always have what I want.’

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Progress

The home provides a high standard of accommodation. At the time of the inspection, one room was being readied for a young person due to be admitted to the home in the following week. The room was being redecorated, with a new carpet and a completely new suite of furniture. This will convey a sense of worth to the young person and provide a positive introduction to living within the group. The whole process of admission to the home is well planned and takes account of the young person’s individual needs and their impact upon the existing group. When young people leave the home, staff plan this carefully so that they are fully prepared for the move, and any trauma due to leaving familiar surroundings is minimised.

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Progress

Plans for young people are thorough and updated at regular intervals. Key workers discuss each young person’s plan with them in formal sessions. This gives young people the opportunity to contribute their ideas and suggestions, for example around contact with family and friends. There is a system which enables staff to easily review progress made by each young person and identify areas of need which may require particular attention. This ensures that the manager can remedy shortfalls and build on strengths, thus demonstrating the capacity of the home to improve further.

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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 staff are trained in appropriate safe-care practice. (NMS 4.6)

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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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