Children's Home run by Milestones Care Homes Ltd in Wirral

Unique reference number SC065780 Inspection date 10/01/2013 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home cares for up to three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a private limited company.

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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

The home was last inspected in May 2012 when the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. Following the inspection one statutory requirement relating to the security of the premises was raised. Three recommendations were also raised relating to physical restrictions in the home; the young person's guide and monitoring of the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, there have been several changes to the staffing and management of the home. A new manager has been appointed who has, following a delay, submitted their application to Ofsted to become a Registered Manager. New staff are currently undertaking their induction and are to complete additional NVQ modules in relation to children and social care to enhance their skills and knowledge base. A range of training opportunities are booked for all staff with the local authority. These include safeguarding; first aid and missing young people and runaways.

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Progress

The home is in the process of updating the Statement of Purpose to reflect these changes. The young person’s guide is informative and provides young people with valuable information about the home. However, it does not include information as to how to contact the Children's Rights Director or the full contact details for Ofsted. Therefore this recommendation has not been fully met. However, young people have information on a range of other organisations that can offer them advice and support, such as, the NSPCC and Child-Line.

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Progress

Young people's access to the kitchen of an evening is no longer restricted. This is because the kitchen door is no longer locked at night. Young people were spoken to regarding the behaviours they were presenting at the time and encouraged to look at better ways of managing these. Consequently, the home has enhanced the choices for young people and improved upon their safety with regards to evacuating quickly and safely in an emergency. The home has enhanced the safety and security of young people residing at the home.

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Progress

The monitoring of care practices within the home is satisfactory. The independent person for the organisation visits the home on a monthly basis and provides a report. However, these reports are not received by Ofsted within the prescribed timescales.

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Progress

The manger also monitors care practices in the home on a monthly basis and compiles a written report. These provide an insight into the organisation of the home; are evaluative and identify any shortfalls, such as, the signing of activity log sheets. Although Regulation 34 reports on the quality of care have not been received by Ofsted, this has not had a direct impact upon the care provided to young people.

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Progress

There have been a number of incidents since the last inspection where police have been called to the home for assistance. The home ensured the young people's social workers and placing authorities were made aware of the incidents, but did not inform Ofsted. This was an oversight by the home and did not impact upon the care provided to the young person. Young people at the home are positive about the care they receive, they say the staff are, 'Really nice and everything is fine, it is good here.'

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in schedule 5 takes place the registered person shall without delay notify the person indicated in respect of the event in column 2, in particular any serious incident necessitating calling the police to the home. (Regulation 30 (1); Schedule 5) 22/02/2013

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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 a written report of the conduct of the home is prepared after the visit and is made available to Ofsted within the prescribed timescales. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph, 3.13)  ensure that reports reviewing the quality of care under Regulation 34 are supplied to Ofsted at six monthly intervals within 28 days of completion (Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph 3.14)  ensure the children's guide contains information as to how a young person can contact the Children's Rights Director and Ofsted should they wish to raise a concern. (NMS 13.5)

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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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