Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005045 Inspection date 15/01/2013 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is one of several homes operated by an independent provider.

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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 June 2012 the overall rating for the home was judged as good, with two recommendations and one requirement set within the inspection report. Since that time the children’s home has demonstrated satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The manager has appropriately addressed the requirement that young people have a designated telephone for their sole use to make telephone calls in private. This means young people are able to express any concerns they may have independently of the staff team.

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Progress

The recommendation to ensure the implementation of clear procedures for introducing new young people to the home has led to improved practice relating to new placements.

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Progress

The final recommendation was to ensure young people no longer undertaking compulsory full-time education receive support to participate in further education, training or employment. Within this inspection it was clear that where young people do attend education provision, staff support young people to progress and maintain good attendance levels. However, where young people do not regularly attend, the home does not effectively ensure that routines support educational attendance and achievement. Therefore young people have limited opportunity to explore their educational potential.

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Progress

Young people do not consistently engage with social activities either within or outside of the home. Young people are encouraged to identify leisure pursuits to engage with; however, young people do not participate in sufficient structured activities. This means that young people are not adequately occupied in meaningful activities, which can lead to young people feeling bored and unfulfilled.

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Progress

Young people live in a safe, secure and stable environment. The use of physical restraint in the home is minimal, with no restraints since the last inspection. Staff who undertake any restraints are suitably trained. Staff promote positive behaviour for young people at all times.

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Progress

The home implements effective protocols and procedures when young people are absent from care. Staff awareness of factors which lead to young people going missing minimises risks. Furthermore, staff work with a range of professionals to manage these issues.

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Progress

The leadership and management of the home are clear and efficient. Monitoring is robust and contributes to the development of the home. Regular staff training and supervision ensure quality of care is maintained. However, the home’s Statement of Purpose is not compliant with regulations, insofar as not detailing the specific age range of young people for whom it is intended care is provided, and inaccurate information on the staffing arrangements of the home.

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Progress

The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. The manager is clear about what is necessary to ensure that young people benefit from improved standards in care.

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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) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the Statement of Purpose, particularly in relation to the age range for whom it is intended that accommodation shall be provided, and updating the home’s staffing appendix (Regulation 5 (a)) 14/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

18 ensure that the routine of the home is organised so as to 14/02/2013 (2001) further children’s participation in education. (Regulation 18 (1)(b))

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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 take part in age-appropriate peer activities as agreed by the home’s staff in a way similar to how a reasonable parent might reach agreement with their children, taking into account the framework of the placement plan decision-making and any assessment of risk to the child. (NMS 7.5)

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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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