Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC408369 Inspection date 10/01/2013 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home run by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for two young people between 10 and 18 who may have emotional and/or 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

At the previous full inspection in July 2012, the overall effectiveness of the service was outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

There have been some significant changes within the home since the last inspection. A new manager was recruited in September 2012 and is currently in the process of applying to become the Registered Manager. Although this is taking a significant amount of time, there has been no impact to the quality of care or outcomes for young people. The management structure has strengthened because there is now an assistant manager who provides support to the leadership and management of the home, which maintains positive outcomes. The home continues to be managed effectively and efficiently.

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Progress

The manager confirms there has been a focus on helping young people gain qualifications by other means where they have struggled. This is outlined in the home development plan and staff support and assist to maximise learning potential. This helps young people to continue to achieve recognition for their learning. Young people new to the home have settled well and say they are happy and love it. However, young people have not been given the young people’s guide or had this explained to them. This means young people may not understand the expectations or rules of the home.

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Progress

Young people that have been resident at the home for some time show improvement in accessing education and now benefit from an extended timetable. Other young people that expressed a wish to return home have left as result of consultation and advocating.

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Progress

Young people are encouraged to give their view and opinions through attendance and participation in residents meetings, 1:1 discussions and attendance of the Children in Care Council. Staff find that young people have made visible progression in confidence and self-esteem as a direct result of their involvement in consultation. Young people say, ‘I now attend my appointments on my own.’

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Progress

Staff improve practice by gaining advice from external professionals that they invite to attend team meetings. This provides a forum to share good practice on a ‘need to know’ basis that helps to improve outcomes for young people’s emotional and physical health.

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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 receive the children's guide at the point of placement and that the contents are explained to the child in a way that is accessible. (NMS 13.4)

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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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