Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in West Berkshire

Unique reference number SC011185 Inspection date 14/01/2013 Inspector Emeline Evans 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 home is registered for up to five young people and is owned and managed by a private organisation. This is a small therapeutic foundation which caters for young people who may have a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Most of the young people have therapeutic input from external therapists and the aim is to achieve permanency within a family setting.

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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 judged as outstanding at the last inspection in July 2012 with three recommendations for areas identified for improvement. The home has maintained the outstanding quality of care and outcomes for young people. A particular strength of the home is the commitment of the staff team who are clearly very passionate about promoting good outcomes for young people.

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Progress

On the last inspection, a recommendation was set in relation to young people’s views being incorporated into the homes development plan. There is now a separate young people’s development plan in operation; this encompasses the young people’s views and plans they have for the development of the home. This is regularly reviewed and ensures young people are listened to and able to have a say in the running of the home.

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Progress

The home has revised the children’s guide this now includes information on how the young people can secure access to an independent advocate and how a young person can contact their independent reviewing officer and the Children’s Rights Director. This document ensures young people receive a vast amount of information, and allows them to have an understanding of what care is provided by the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, there has been a high amount of risk taking behaviours recorded. In particular, young people missing from care. All that is possible is done, in line with each young person’s protocol and risk assessments, to locate him or her and return him or her home. There is effective liaison with families and the police, and staff look at minimising the risk of recurrence. However, there is no recent evaluation of this behaviour to examine trends or issues, therefore staff are not able to reflect and learn to inform future practice. All recording in the home is detailed and the home has taken action to ensure paperwork is fixed into books securely. Therefore, important paperwork concerning the young person cannot be misplaced.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive well planned care provided by a committed and competent staff team. Staff provide clear boundaries within a caring environment. Young people have a positive view of the care that they receive and say their relationships with staff are good. Young people spoken to confirm that they feel safe and that they feel they would be able to talk to staff if they were worried or anxious. In recent months the staff team has experienced an increase in challenging behaviour exhibited by the young people and they have worked together to support each other and the young people. However, formal supervision for staff has not been consistent and staff have therefore not been able to fully reflect on recent events.

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Progress

The monitoring systems in place continue to review the quality of care that young people receive and identify areas where outcomes for young people may be improved. Detailed reports of monitoring visits are produced which demonstrate an excellent level of consultation with staff and young people takes place on a regular basis. As a result, young people continue to receive high quality care and support which is based on their individual needs.

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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

 review incidents of challenging behaviour in particular children missing from care, to examine trends or issues emerging from them (NMS 3.21)  ensure staff are provided with regular consistent supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff. (NMS 19.4)

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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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