Children's Home run by Blackpool Borough Council in Blackpool

Unique reference number SC033611 Inspection date 05/02/2013 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is operated by a local authority. It provides a short break care service for 10 children and young people with a disability.

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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 last full inspection, the home was judged as adequate. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure some good outcomes for children and young people.

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Progress

Five recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed in full and this led to further improvements to the home's operation. Young people receive a high standard of care that meets their very specific needs. Consultation processes are effective and new ways of seeking views continue to be introduced. The young people, their family members and partners contribute to the development of the service. Monitoring and controlling the activities of the home through internal and external measures improved considerably between inspections. Ofsted receives quality assurance monitoring reports at the required frequency. New ideas and initiatives are constantly being introduced and the Registered Manager uses the available information to support continuous improvement. Some changes are planned to the report formats being used to monitor the home and this will establish improved detail on the discussions taking place. Comments showing high levels of

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Progress

satisfaction with the home's operation, management, young people's welfare and the response taken to health and safety are available. The home provides a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential. Young people have strong and trusting relationships with staff. Staff are committed to provide the best possible experiences. Young people gained tremendous benefits and life long memories from a summer trip to the Olympics. Communication between staff, parents, partners and schools remains effective. The use of modern technology has further enhanced children and young people’s communication. Innovative programmes are being run and these support individuals specific communication needs in a very colourful and interesting way.

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Progress

This home is extremely stable. Very few issues of concern affected its operation between inspections. The primary aim of the service, to provide short breaks, is managed very well. Thirty children and young people receive short breaks at the home on a rotating basis. All benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve. Young people develop many skills throughout the time they spend at the home and transitional arrangements are coordinated effectively when young people are due to move across to adult services. A new advocacy service supports planning.

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Progress

The ethos and culture at the home clearly places children at the forefront of practice. Young people remain very safe at the home. Managers use their skills and experience to stimulate the enthusiasm of staff and channel their efforts effectively. Young people continue to receive a high standard of care delivered by vastly experienced and qualified staff team. On-going training is provided to ensure staff at all levels continually develop their skills sets.

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Progress

Staff deployment was reviewed between inspections and new working patterns further enhanced continuity with practice between the three teams currently being operated. Some changes to the home's senior management structure are planned and this will result in a change of responsible individual. The authority will provide Ofsted with details of all changes when finalised.

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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 clear and effective procedures are in place for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home; specifically, ensure more views are captured from children, parents, relatives and staff within Regulation 33 reports in order to help form a clear opinion of the standard of care being provided at the home. (NMS 21.1)

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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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