Children's Home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005041 Inspection date 04/02/2013 Inspector Robert Hewston Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to accommodate up to 10 young people with a range of disabilities, including physical disability, learning disability and complex needs. The provision may be for either settled care or short- breaks.

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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 full inspection in May 2012, the overall quality rating for this service was good, meeting all regulations and national minimum standards. At this visit, the home is found to be making good progress.

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Progress

This service demonstrates its capacity to improve due to the excellent arrangements introduced for young people to receive shared care, short break care or full-time care. In a recent questionnaire sent to them, parents commented: 'We feel like he is coming to stay with friends, the home is my lifeline.'

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Progress

Progress with children’s case records has improved the quality of the information being written. Care plans allow people to have easier access to young people's health and social needs requirements. This includes all up-to-date risk assessments regarding manual handling, physical intervention, personalised emergency fire evacuation plans, and health assessments. Staff commented on how much easier it is now to keep up-to-date with any changes to the plan. This has also helped staff when delivering handovers to staff coming on duty, ensuring all staff are aware of any changes to young people’s medication or health needs.

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Progress

Young people participate in consultation about their care and their views are highly valued. The manager and staff are strong advocates for the young people. For example, one young person is receiving support to achieve his preferred option for his future care. Staff believe that supporting his wishes will improve the chances of positive outcomes for him and promote his move to independence. Young people express their views through regular residents’ meetings.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have maintained high standards of practice, giving particular attention to the wishes and feelings of young people. Young people are listened to and can positively influence the way they receive day-to-day care. The further development of alternative communication techniques will only enhance young people's progress in society.

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Progress

The changes to areas in the building now offer more privacy for young people. Both downstairs and upstairs bathrooms have been refurnished and offer easier access for young people who are physically disabled. The upstairs bath has been moved, offering more privacy for young people but still enabling staff to supervise them. All bedrooms are personalised to the young people's choices and are well-maintained.

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Progress

Monitoring and quality assurance processes regularly support the development of the home. The Registered Manager continually gathers evidence from a wide range of sources to determine the quality of care and outcomes achieved. Checks of the home’s records and review of its quality of care, for instance during external monitoring visits, include consultation with young people and provide an overview of the home’s day-to-day practice. Effective responses are made to any actions set during these visits.

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Progress

Overall, young people continue to receive the necessary support and guidance from a well-supported team of staff who know each young person well. Very stable placements continue to exist because of the longstanding, caring and effective relationships staff have with young people. There is clear determination, energy, and motivation to continuously improve the care provided by this home. Well-trained and forward thinking staff respect, value and enable young people to achieve their full potential. This successful approach promotes an effective, developmental and child- centred service.

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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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