Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC378181 Inspection date 16/01/2013 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately-owned home is one of two children’s homes registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the previous full inspection, in October 2012, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as adequate. Two recommendations for improvement were set within the inspection report. Good progress has been made in addressing the recommendations.

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Progress

The manager has implemented a new reward and sanction policy which focuses on rewarding positive behaviours. This system has clear guidelines in place to ensure that when sanctions are imposed, they are fair and reasonable. Since the new system has been introduced there has been a reduction in negative behaviours. As a result young people are displaying positive behaviour and are working towards clearly identified rewards that they have chosen. However, a shortfall was identified at the inspection in that the manager is not commenting on the effectiveness of all imposed sanctions.

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Progress

The manager has made changes to the missing from home records to incorporate set triggers, which highlight the need for strategy meetings, in line with the Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocol. This ensures that strategy meetings are requested and take place when they are required. Direct consultations are completed following any episodes of missing from home. These enable staff to support young people on their return home and enables the manager to effectively review and monitor these episodes. The manager has also developed stronger links with the local police and specialist police teams to support young people when they go missing and put themselves at risk. Since the last inspection there has been a reduction in the episodes of young people going missing.

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Progress

A well-established and committed manager and staff team care for the young people and have high aspirations for them. The manager has, through meeting the recommendations raised at the last inspection, demonstrated good progress and an on-going commitment to improving the quality of care provided for the young people. Particular improvements have been made in engaging young people in the placement and developing positive relationships with them. As a result this has created a stable environment which supports young people to remain settled in the placement. The staff team have recently undertaken further training around self- harm. This has underpinned their knowledge and understanding and as a result they feel more confident in supporting young people in the placement.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, a written record is made with specific reference to including the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 17B (3)(f)) 08/02/2013

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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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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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