Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC382730 Inspection date 31/01/2013 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a local authority provision that provides short-term placements for the purpose of assessment for up to four young people with emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. Placements are normally for 12 weeks but this can be extended in exceptional circumstances.

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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

The home was judged as good overall at the last full inspection in July 2012. The home was assessed as being fully compliant with the children’s homes regulations so no requirements were made. One recommendation was made and this has been fully implemented in relation to the measures used to discourage young people from leaving the home without permission. When these events occur, staff follow agreed procedures to ensure their practice reflects the actions necessary to promote an individual’s welfare and safety. Some young people have been missing from care on numerous occasions recently. In these circumstances, managers continually assess how effective the home is at keeping young people safe. Where concerns continue, staff work within an established multi agency protocol that links the police and other professionals in the coordination of responses. Although young people are at the home for a very short period of time, this does not prevent the staff team from

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Progress

building relationships that promote change and safer ways to behave.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team demonstrate a continued commitment to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. They ensure that young people who have experienced difficulties within their family home or with previous care placements are cared for in a very structured and safe environment. Young people are able to make good progress because of these arrangements as they are able to participate effectively in the assessment of their longer-term care and support needs. As a result of this approach, young people continue to experience good placement matches because they are fully involved in decisions about where they live in the future.

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Progress

Staff begin to address some of the difficulties young people face; in particular, areas that relate to emotional and behavioural needs. Young people are encouraged and supported to behave well and they receive regular feedback from staff that includes praise as well as identifying areas for improvement. Overall, staff are fair but inconsistencies sometimes occur when young people are challenged about their verbal behaviour but staff are not challenged for the same inappropriate behaviour. Managers are aware of this inconsistency and are in the process of addressing this area of staff practice.

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Progress

During their short placements, young people gradually become more involved in structured routines that successfully re-establish such things as attendance at school or college, engaging in positive activities and re-establishing or maintaining family contact. Young people’s progress is monitored closely to ensure staff can respond to any changing needs or circumstances quickly. Although the home only provides a short-stay service, staff do everything possible to lessen the impact of changing home or placement. Staff recognise important attachments young people have already established and work in a way that safely promotes and maintains these relationships. Young people say they feel safe in the home and are enabled to make informed choices about their future arrangements.

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Progress

The registered provider and manager have systems and processes in place to evaluate the operation of the home and the quality of care being provided. Monitoring and quality assurance processes are well established to support the development of the service. For example, some of the home’s décor and furnishings are currently being renewed and updated. Young people have been involved in refreshing picture displays and staff have decorated some of the communal areas. Quality assurance information is included in regular monitoring reports but these are not currently being sent to Ofsted within necessary timescales although this shortfall has minimal impact on young people.

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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) supply to the HMCI a report in respect of any review conducted for the purpose of monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 and improving the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 34(2)) 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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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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