Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Cumberland

Unique reference number SC034083 Inspection date 07/01/2013 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by the local authority and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys or girls. The home is registered to care for young people with emotional 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

At the last inspection in June 2012, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was adequate. The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Young people are both polite and friendly, and they have a relaxed manner around staff and visitors.

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Progress

Three requirements and three recommendations were made at the last inspection. All of these matters have been fully addressed. One requirement was to ensure that each young person has a comprehensive health care plan in place which outlines how their emotional, as well as their physical health care needs are being promoted. Additionally, one recommendation was made to ensure that young people are cared for in line with their individual placement plans. A review of each young person's placement plan has taken place and full details about their health care needs are now included within this document. Information relating to the assessed needs of young people and what a placement at the home is meant to achieve are also included. This means that the health care needs of young people are fully safeguarded and staff are able to meet the assessed needs of young people. Another requirement was to review the use of sanctions within the home. Sanctions

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Progress

records have been reviewed and now comply with regulations and national minimum standards. In addition, staff have, through team meetings and individual supervision sessions, received further training in the home's behaviour management systems. This means that essential information relating to what sanctions are most effective in helping young people develop socially acceptable behaviour is retained, and staff are aware of what sanctions are to be used in relation to specific negative behaviour.

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Progress

The third requirement was in relation to the home's Statement of Purpose and the circumstances in which young people are admitted to the home. The home's manager has discussed this issue with senior managers in the local authority and the admissions process has been clarified. The home's Statement of Purpose reflects this process and young people are fully consulted about who moves in to the home.

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Progress

A recommendation was made to ensure that the detail of the circumstances of all incidents when a young person living at the home goes missing is retained on the young person's file. The whereabouts of the young person during their absence is now recorded. This means that information about the identity of anybody who may harbour young people, or locations where they visit, is retained.

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Progress

The final recommendation was in relation to the monitoring visits from someone independent of the home. The visiting officer now records all interactions they have with staff, young people and the parents or relatives of young people. These visits help to ensure the home is run properly and the knowledge and understanding of all those involved in the young person's life are borne in mind.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made further improvements that enhance the quality of the care provided to young people. The home's manager has implemented a daily, individual incentive scheme for each young person. The incentive scheme is closely linked to education, training and employment. As a result, each young person living at the home is now fully engaged in one of these activities in order to help them to achieve their maximum potential. Additionally, young people are actively encouraged to participate in community activities. Recently, young people have been involved in the organisation and delivery of a community boxing event. The purpose of this is to improve each young person's confidence, self-esteem and community presence.

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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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