Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC032083 Inspection date 09/01/2013 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private company which has other homes in the area.

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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 full inspection on 23/10/12 the home was judged to be good. One statutory requirement was made at this inspection in respect of one instance where there had been an oversight in dealing with a safeguarding issue. The manager rectified this immediately and since then all concerns have been appropriately reported to the relevant people and authorities, which ensures young people are safeguarded. No actions or recommendations resulted from this inspection.

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Progress

Young people continue to make good progress in all areas of their lives and positive relationships with staff are evident. Young people were absent or declined to speak with the inspector during this inspection. Their views, and those of people involved with them are routinely sought by the home and are positive. Young people have a voice, attend their meetings and are involved in their plans. Progress has been made in formalising the planning of individual work sessions with young people, in line with their care plans. This means that young people have the opportunity to discuss any issues on a regular basis, with their key worker or another member of staff. The staff are innovative and flexible and successfully engage the young people in the work.

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Progress

Detailed placement plans ensure that staff focus on the young people’s individual aims, and that they receive all the services necessary to meet their needs. Young people benefit from positive contact visits and good working relationships between the staff and their families is maintained. Young people’s emotional and physical health needs are well met, through key working sessions by the staff and specialist services. Young people know about healthy eating and lifestyles, and action was taken when they began to miss meals and have unhealthy snacks. As a result individual diets are now monitored to ensure young people have a balanced and varied diet.

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Progress

Young people are safeguarded by the policies and practices in the home. Highly comprehensive risk assessments which are updated regularly include specific strategies which ensures all staff are aware of individual vulnerabilities. This ensures young people are protected. Young people do not go missing from care, and staff are aware of the procedures to follow, and police contacts, should they do so. Young people benefit from positive behaviour management and consistency of care, to which they respond well. They are motivated by encouragement, incentives and rewards rather than sanctions. Physical intervention is very rarely used, and only for safety reasons.

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Progress

Education is well promoted and young people respond well to the expectation that they will attend. They are supported and are achieving in education and have started to look at options for college courses, when they leave school. The home has been active and persistent in pursuing local authorities to provide young people with pathway plans, and have formalised their in house independence planning recently. This means that young people are gaining the necessary life skills, in ways they enjoy. They receive certificates and rewards for their achievements. Young people engage in activities in the community, and the home has recognised the need for them to have more female peer interactions. This home and a sister home meet up for activities, meals and outings, which meets the young people’s needs.

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Progress

The home is well managed and staff are positive about the support, leadership and guidance they receive. Regular discussions about the young people, in daily handovers and team meetings ensures they receive the continuity and consistency of care which they need. Effective monitoring and reflective practice means that the care provided is constantly monitored and evaluated. Prompt action has been taken to address any issues raised, including those identified in Regulation 33 visits. The staff group are committed to providing high quality care and are involved in the improvement agenda. Young people benefit from a stable and experienced staff team who want the best for them, encourage them to have aspirations, and who are committed to their welfare and well-being.

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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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