Children's Home run by Evolution Children Services Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC382595 Inspection date 10/01/2013 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The registered provider of the home is a 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

At the last inspection in August 2012, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was good. The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. Young people were observed to be happy and relaxed. They have a polite, friendly manner with both staff and visitors.

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Progress

One requirement and five recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection. The requirement and one of the recommendations have been partly met. The remaining four recommendations have been fully met. As a result of this inspection, one further requirement and one recommendation for improvement have been made.

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Progress

The requirement was in relation to the home's Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose did not include clear information about the skills, qualifications and experience of the staff team, the home's manager or the responsible individual. A review of the home's Statement of Purpose has been carried out and the necessary information about the home's manager and responsible individual has been added. Information about the specific skills and qualifications of staff has also been included. However, the experience that staff have, of working with or caring for children has not been clearly explained. Placing authorities know what the skills and qualifications of staff are. They are not however, fully aware of the experience staff members bring to the home or of how these can be utilised to help young people.

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Progress

Two recommendations were made in relation to the home's care planning documentation and the meetings that take place between key workers and young people. The home's manager has comprehensively reviewed and updated the home's care planning documentation. Placement plans now provide comprehensive details about each young person's specific needs and how they are to be met. Additionally, care plans also provide a record of the progress being made by each young person. This means that staff fully understand the needs of young people.

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Progress

The home’s manager has also reviewed the system of key worker meetings. Key workers meet frequently with young people both formally and informally. All discussions are now fully recorded and the progress being made by young people is regularly monitored. This means young people are helped to achieve their goals.

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Progress

Another recommendation was made in relation to the recording of the use of restraint within the home. Written records have been fully reviewed and updated. Should a restraint be necessary the full details of the event are now recorded. This means that the welfare of young people is better safeguarded and any patterns of behaviour can be closely monitored.

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Progress

A recommendation for the home's manager to have a written development plan for the home in place has been met. The home's manager has designed a development plan based on national minimum standards which also takes into account the opinions of all staff and young people. Staff and young people therefore know what the strengths and weaknesses of the home are and what improvements they wish to make.

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Progress

The recommendation that is only partly met is in relation to those young people who are eligible for pathway plans to aid their transition into adulthood. The details of the pathway plan for one young person relate to a previous placement and have not been updated following admission to this home. This means that the young person may therefore not receive the help and support necessary to make a successful transition into adulthood.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made further progress and improvements that enhance the quality of the care provided to young people. A full review of all documentation used within the home has been carried out by the home's manager and it's owners. The review has focussed on reducing duplication in recording systems and in promoting clarity. Staff now record information more accurately and have more time to spend with young people.

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Progress

The home has recently recruited several new members of staff on a full-time and sessional basis. New staff members have a range of interests and backgrounds. For instance, one staff member has previously undertaken charitable work in Zambia and another works with the local drug and alcohol team. Spending time with staff that have such diverse backgrounds helps young people appreciate the needs of others and understand the effects of substance misuse.

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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) compile in relation to the children's home a written Statement of Purpose which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 4; schedule 1 (5)) 29/03/2013

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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 that each young person who is old enough has a comprehensive pathway plan in place to aid their transition into adulthood. (NMS 12.2)

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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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