Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC378187 Inspection date 20/12/2012 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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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 previous full inspection, in July 2012, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as adequate. Three requirements and six recommendations for improvement were set within the inspection report. Good progress has been made in addressing the requirements and recommendations.

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Progress

A requirement and recommendation was raised in relation to improving the recording of physical restraints to ensure that young people have the opportunity to meet with a medical professional following a restraint. The manager has made changes to the records to ensure the requirement and recommendation is addressed. This means that young people's welfare is promoted by having access to a medical practitioner and that clear recording and an internal review of incidents takes place, should physical restraints be necessary. However, since the last inspection there have been no episodes of physical restraint.

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Progress

The manager has introduced a new system to record homely medication in the home. This ensures that she now has an overview of homely medication in the home and that its administration is effectively monitored. However, during the inspection a shortfall was identified in that a young person who was self-medicating had not been formally risk assessed with regards their ability to do so safely. This was rectified at inspection by engaging thee young person in a key-working session to discuss and agree how to take the medication. Consent to self-medicate had been received by the placing social worker.

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Progress

The manager has made progress in consulting parents, young people and placing authorities as part of the regular monitoring of the home. This ensures that their views can support improvements in the home.

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Progress

The manager has implemented a new reward and sanction policy, which focuses on rewarding positive behaviours. This system has clear guidelines in place to ensure that when sanctions are imposed, they are fair and reasonable. Since the new system has been introduced, there has been a significant reduction in negative behaviours. One young person commented, ‘The reward system is much better and I am not getting into as much trouble as I was.’ As a result, young people are displaying positive behaviour and are working towards clearly identified rewards that they have chosen.

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Progress

The manager has made changes to the missing from home records to incorporate set triggers, which highlight the need for strategy meetings, in line with the Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocol. This ensures that strategy meetings take place, when they are required. The manager has also developed stronger links with the local police and specialist police teams to support young people when they go missing and put themselves at risk. Since the last inspection, there has been a significant reduction in the episodes of young people going missing.

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Progress

The manager has ensured that all young people have practiced fire drills, both during the day and at night. This means, they have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of an emergency. The young person’s guide has been amended to ensure that they aware of how to contact Ofsted, the Children Rights Director and their individual independent reviewing officer. This ensures that young people are able to raise concerns about their care outside of the home, should they wish to.

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Progress

The whole staff team, including the manager now have an appraisal in place which takes into account the views of the young people being looked after. This means that the whole staff team’s performance is being reviewed and young people’s consultation is central to the development of staff and the home.

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Progress

A well-established and committed manager and staff team care for the young people and have high aspirations for them. The manager has, through meeting the requirements and recommendations, raised at the last inspection demonstrated good progress and an on-going commitment to improving the quality of care provided for the young people. Particular improvements have been made in the quality of relationships between staff and young people. One young person commented, ‘It’s mint living here, I am treated like a 17 year old. I get on with all the staff they listen to me. I feel safe living here.’

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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 children, who are able to and wish to keep and take their own medication, can do so safely. (NMS 6.14)

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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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