Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC441717 Inspection date 05/02/2013 Inspector Jacqueline Malcolm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who experience behavioural and emotional 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

The home was judged to be adequate overall at the last full inspection in October 2012. A number of requirements and recommendations were raised at that inspection to drive improvement and raise standards.

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Progress

The home has worked effectively to address all of the requirements and recommendations. In particular, young people who have found difficulties in attending school have increased their attendance. This is progress from their starting point. The manager is acutely aware that more needs to be done to secure educational stability. They continue to proactively challenging barriers to educational progress and achievement with local authorities that fail to co-operate with them. The manager's tenacious approach gives young people an opportunity to reach their educational potential.

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Progress

The homes Statement of Purpose is under review to take account of newly appointed staff to the home. It informs stakeholders about the staff team and their capacity to care for young people. Good developments have been made to ensure that young people’s records are clear and accurately reflect events. This practice safeguards young people. Good monitoring practices ensure that issues are promptly addressed. Regulation 33 visits are regularly carried out and provide proper oversight of care practices in the home. A report is regularly supplied to Ofsted. This ensures that Ofsted can monitor how the home improves young people’s quality of care and outcomes.

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Progress

Young people are rarely involved in significant incidents at the home. Ofsted has been appropriately notified when incidents have occurred. This helps Ofsted to fulfil its regulatory duties.

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Progress

The home is well managed and there is a firm commitment to promote young people's safety and welfare. Young people’s comments and interactions with staff indicate that they are well cared for and feel supported. The staff team work well with most professionals, including the police who have delivered specific safeguarding training to the team and young people. For example, child sexual exploitation awareness. The team has also received internet safety training. This ensures that young people are protected from the risks associated with these activities.

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Progress

There were no requirements or recommendations raised at this inspection.

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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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