Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Unique reference number SC033657 Inspection date 08/01/2013 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is operated by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for five young people of with emotional and 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

This children's home was judged to be good at the last full inspection. The home continues to provide the young people with a stable safe place to live. They are cared for by staff who demonstrate a strong commitment to their care and safety. There are currently only three young people resident at the home. Each one has their own individual care needs and staff have a clear understanding of the care plan for each young person. Staff are positively motivated in their work with the young people some of whom present very challenging behaviour. Staff remain positive and enthusiastic even though they have had a difficult time with some young people. An area of concern is the lack of educational commitment by some young people who refuse to attend school. This is being addressed by the manager. The staff, nevertheless, continue to strive to support these young people to value the benefit of an education.

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Progress

Young people who are preparing for independence are supported by staff. There are clear arrangements in place to ensure that this process is robustly monitored and that all support mechanisms are in place. This means that young people are able to progress onto independent living in the knowledge that they can rely on support from the home after they have left.

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Progress

At the last inspection one recommendation was made to improve the protocol with the police when young people are missing. This has been complied with and a new more robust protocol is now in place. This has clarified the actions to be taken to keep young people safe. The staff have a clear understanding of their responsibility to keep young people safe. They are aware of the new missing person's protocol with the police and feel that this is a marked improvement on the previous arrangements that were raised at the last inspection.

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Progress

The home is well decorated and provides the young people with a safe comfortable place to live. For example one young person stated, 'I like it here staff are nice and I feel safe.'

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Progress

The manager provides the staff team with strong leadership and direction. Monitoring of the efficient operations of the home remains a key priority due to staff shortages. The home continues to operate in line with its Statement of Purpose.

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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 children are supported to attend school, college or alternative provision regularly. (NMS 8.3)

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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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