Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC366107 Inspection date 17/12/2012 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private company that has several similar homes in this area. Care and accommodation are provided for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and may also have learning disabilities. The company has its own school for children not attending mainstream education and also has its own therapy team.

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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 this service was judged to be providing a good standard of care. One requirement and five recommendations were made. The requirement was to show in the Statement of Purpose that the home is also registered to admit children and young people who have learning disabilities, and this has been addressed. This is of particular assistance to placing authorities but also others who want to know about the service. Progress has also been made with the recommendations. However, although new written guidance has been compiled regarding the use of electronic devices to monitor children, for example on the landing, it is not known to staff or managers. This means that children and young people are not protected as well as possible against the misuse of such systems.

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Progress

In other regards, however, young people benefit from high standards of care. There is excellent continuity of staffing. For example, when young people move between homes as part of their development a member of staff may also move to help with their integration into the new home; this is extremely valuable for young people. Careful consideration is given to young people's individual needs in other regards too. For example, rotas are prepared so that appropriately trained staff are on every shift. Currently the staff are focusing on young people's independence skills and they display a high level of competence. Consequently, young people are showing marked progress in their skills, whether it be pursuing work opportunities or independently cooking for themselves. They are also successfully helped to pursue constructive social lives, which includes learning to reduce any risk-taking behaviour.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is temporarily away from work and suitable alternative arrangements have been put in place. The organisation ensures that managerial back-up is always available. This ensures that standards of care are maintained for children and young people, which are reflected in the monitoring reports received regularly by Ofsted. Staff approach young people in a considerate and systematic way in order to help them progress as much as possible. This is appreciated by the young people, who all feel very positive about their home. The house is attractively decorated for Christmas and clear arrangements are in place for each young person during this period.

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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 where specific measures are used to monitor children, including electronic devices, there is a written policy that sets out how they should be used, how they promote the welfare of children, how children will be informed of their use, how legitimate privacy of children will be protected and how children will be protected from potential abuse of such measures. This is with regard to staff and managers being aware of and implementing the policy (NMS 10.5)

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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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