Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC065679 Inspection date 04/01/2013 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/04/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a local authority children's home that provides short-term residential accommodation for five children who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The young people usually stay for no longer than 12 weeks. During this time support will be provided to either return the young person home or to assist them moving to an appropriate long term care placement.

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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 in April 2012, the overall effectiveness judgement for the service was good. Progress since the last inspection is also good. The manager and staff continue to improve the standard of care they deliver to the young people. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the previous inspection. The manager and his staff are clear that the overall judgement of good at the last inspection has not meant that care practices have remained the same. They say that the quality of care continues to improve. The staff team demonstrated a very good understanding of the amended regulations and updated national minimum standards and they are keen to embrace change and new ideas.

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Progress

The good progress young people make during their limited time at the home, can be attributed to the commitment and skills of the staff team. Young people benefit from an environment where staff have high hopes and aspirations for all young people to reach their full potential. Young people report that the manager and staff encourage them to seek opportunities to ensure that they make progress wherever possible. One young person said, 'the staff help me to get on in life and do well.’

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Progress

Young people's views are valued in the home. A comprehensive complaints process ensures that young people are confident to raise any concerns they have. This means that they have a voice. Where young people have expressed a new idea, this has been acted upon. For example, young people may suggest changes to the menu or an activity.

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Progress

The manager has a development plan in place which demonstrates that he is looking to further improve the service. This is closely monitored to ensure that the work taking place in the home reflects the development plan.

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Progress

The home has a good capacity to improve, because there is robust monitoring of the quality of care by an outside visitor and by the Registered Manager. The monitoring incorporates the views of young people, parents, staff and social workers. There is close monitoring of important issues such as safety and educational progress. Previous recommendations are monitored through to completion.

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Progress

Ofsted has been informed of issues and progress at the home through inspection visits and notification of significant events. These show a well-managed service that is realistic about its strengths and weaknesses. The home is operating in accordance with its conditions of registration. No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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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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