Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC390190 Inspection date 18/12/2012 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/03/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately operated children's home. The home is registered to accommodate up to three children with emotional and/or 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

The home had a full inspection in May this year and was assessed as adequate overall. Eight recommendations were made; all but two have been fully addressed. Areas identified for improvement relate to: the home’s environment and risk assessments; the formulation and implementation of leaving care plans; administration of staff vetting checks and induction, training and appraisal for all staff.

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Progress

Young people’s health and safety is now fully promoted through environmental and specific risk assessments which staff follow in support of their daily care and support routines. The accommodation is maintained to a reasonable standard, with recent maintenance being carried out to some young people’s bedrooms and in communal areas. Some new furniture has also been bought for the home. The house is warm and comfortable, and provides a suitable domestic environment for young people and staff to live and work in.

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Progress

Young people are now fully involved in planning for their futures because staff are actively involved in helping each young person communicate their views and wishes about these matters. Where it is identified that young people have the potential to return home or to live with their extended family, staff work together with young people and their social workers in support of these plans.

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Progress

Young people have free time away from the home to help them maintain and develop their own friendships and relationships. Staff are mindful of the risks young people may face when away from the home but continue to support these arrangements as a way for each young person to grow their independence and personal responsibility. One of the ways staff do this is to coach and mentor young people in how to navigate and plan long journeys and to use public transport. Young people’s practical living skills and confidence is continually expanding and improving because of this work undertaken by staff.

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Progress

Young people’s protection is now promoted by clear and well established vetting checks for staff. Police vetting information is destroyed once it is no longer needed and systems for checking each step of the vetting process are in place. Managers now have up-to-date staff training profiles that enable them to determine individual staff training and development needs. This includes core training to be refreshed, as well as areas of development that relate to young people’s specific needs. Just over half the staff team now have relevant level 3 qualifications, and other team members are completing or waiting to enrol on the next available course. Staff performance is not currently appraised formally and the completion of a nationally recognised induction workbook for new staff has not started. Managers are in the process of addressing these areas.

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Progress

Monitoring and quality assurance processes are carried out regularly to support the development of the home. The Registered Manager continually gathers evidence from a wide range of sources to determine the quality of care and outcomes being achieved. This information is included in monitoring reports but these are not currently being shared with Ofsted as required, although the current impact of this on young people is minimal.

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Progress

Overall, young people continue to receive the necessary support and guidance from a well-supported team of staff who know each young person well. Very stable placements continue to exist because of the longstanding, caring and effective relationships staff have with young people. Sanctions and physical interventions are not used, young people’s whereabouts are always known and they do not go missing from the home. Young people feel safe with the staff who look after them. They feel that they are making good progress in their lives and that the home contributes to this.

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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 all staff have their performance formally appraised (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 28/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) supply to the HMCI a report in respect of any review conducted for the purpose of monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 and improving the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 34(2)) 31/01/2013

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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 new staff undertake the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction standards, commencing within 7 working days of starting their employment and being completed within 6 months. (NMS 18.3)

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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.

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