Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410539 Inspection date 30/01/2013 Inspector Andrew Hewston Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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

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Brief description of the service

This home provides care and accommodation for a maximum of two young people who may have emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. The home is managed by a limited company. The purpose and function of the home is to provide long-term care.

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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

This home was judged as good at the last full inspection that took place in August 2012. There were five recommendations made as a result of that inspection. Since that inspection a new manager has started at the home and is awaiting registration. The home is maintaining the quality of the care that it provides. This inspection report contains one requirement and one recommendation for improvements to the home.

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Progress

Young people now develop their independence skills in preparation for leaving the home. One young person stated that they have learnt budgeting, cooking and laundry skills although admitted that their bedroom was, 'Still untidy and needed a decent clean out.' Young people are fully involved with making decisions relating to the home through regular key working sessions and house meetings. These ensure that young people's views are listened and responded to. The staff team promote and support young people's involvement in education. Since the last inspection young people have experienced differing educational placements and have had mixed successes. Throughout these the staff have been enthusiastic with promoting the opportunities that differing courses have given the young people. The home has been redecorated since the last inspection with previously damaged areas being fixed. All communal areas are comfortable, well decorated and homely.

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Progress

Young people's rooms are appropriately personalised and damaged furnishings have been replaced. A development plan is now in place to further allow for the enhancement of the physical environment of the home. The development plan also examines a range of areas where assessed needs for improvements are responded to, including staff training and recording systems.

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Progress

Young people are happy at the home and able to discuss areas that they have developed in since the last inspection, including the development of their confidence in the community and relationships with the staff team.

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Progress

Levels of restraint and sanctions have increased since the last inspection in response to the needs of the young people at the home. All recorded incidents show a commitment towards supporting the safety of the young people as well as promoting positive behaviour. Staff ensure that restraints are only completed after the exhaustion of differing behaviour management strategies. Some recordings fail to be fully in line with the expectations of the regulations but do not affect the level of care given to the young people.

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Progress

The monitoring of the home and its operation is completed on a regular basis. Greater awareness of trends in young people's behaviours and how these are responded to is necessary within the monitoring system.

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Progress

The staff team continue to be made up of a range of well trained and caring individuals who promote positive outcomes for young people. Staff are well supported within their role and are able to discuss the developments that the young people have made.

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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, discipline or restraint in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include the length of time restraints occur and the effectiveness of interventions. (Regulation 17B (3)(f) (4)(a)) 28/02/2013

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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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Recommendations

 ensure the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. (NMS 21.2).

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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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