Children's Home run by Care Afloat Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC006011 Inspection date 19/12/2012 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children aged from eight to 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A private company owns and operates the home.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in May 2012, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was good. One requirement and one recommendation were made. Satisfactory progress has been made in addressing these. Mandatory and refresher training has been undertaken and staff are now equipped with up-to-date knowledge on health and safety issues to better care for children. The minimum standard shortfall recommendation has not yet been implemented. The Regulation 33 visitor still does not consult with young people, staff, parents or social workers during their monthly visit and seek their opinions about the home. This lack of consultation means that the registered person cannot fully know what it is like for a young person to live at the home.

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Progress

The home is, however, supporting young people to achieve good positive progress and stay safe. Young people had previously been behaving inappropriately in the local community and had been repeatedly reported to the police because of absences. They were going missing for prolonged periods of time. Staff and management acted quickly and worked in partnership with other professionals, including the police and social workers, to an agreed strategy and moved young people to a place of safety.

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Progress

Placement plans, risk assessments and health records have been further developed to include evidence of key meetings, reviews of practice and strategic outcomes. This gives the staff team good working information about the young people they support. Young people spoke about being consulted about their care plans and were very interested in what was being said about them. The involvement in the young people in education is good, from their starting points. Social workers comment favourably about the commitment of staff to try and engage the young people in college courses. Attendance at college is not 100% but the independent reviewing officer is pleased that there is better engagement at this placement where previously there had been none.

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Progress

Young people stated that this is the, ‘best care home they have lived in'. They have good relationships with staff who celebrate achievements. Young people feel that staff value them and respect them and, ‘don't treat them like kids.’ Interactions between staff and young people are generally warm and friendly. Young people confirm that there is no bullying and that they feel safe in the company of staff. One young person voiced that in their opinion staff should be older to work with children in care as they can find it difficult working with carers who are not much older than them. However, the staff team do have a broad range of ages. Another young person said that the best thing about the home was the staff because they, ‘help you get your point across.'

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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) interview, with their consent and in private, such of the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 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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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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