Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC372630 Inspection date 05/02/2013 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care for up to two young people of either gender, aged between 10 and 17 years.

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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 and this grade remains in place. The home was judged as being fully compliant with the necessary regulations and no requirements were made. One good practice recommendation was made, requiring the home's management to ensure the consistency of staff deployed in the home. At this inspection it was clear that this recommendation had been appropriately acted upon, and a strength of the home is now the consistency of staff deployed and the care they are able to provide.

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Progress

The home’s staff team continues to provide a very stable and consistent living environment where young people can flourish and make good progress in their lives. The Registered Manager and staff team make considerable efforts to ensure the care and support provided are matched to each young person’s needs. Young people respond positively to staff, whose patient and consistent approach helps them to build strong and effective relationships.

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Progress

Young people sometimes have very difficult and challenging behaviours that can affect their relationships. However, this does not discourage staff from providing good quality care with clear boundaries. The Registered Manager promotes and encourages positive relationships as a key practice area for all staff. Staff and young people negotiate and compromise to reach agreement, and these skills are valued and promoted as an important way of working together. As relationships develop, young people are more able to express their feelings and emotions rather than always resorting to behaviours that are more risky or damaging.

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Progress

Staff are fully aware of young people’s backgrounds and histories and are well informed about the potential risks some young people face. Young people’s safety is the first priority of the staff team; they are clear about their role and responsibilities and what to do if they have a concern. This is because the Registered Manager promotes good safeguarding practices which are central to the team’s work with young people.

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Progress

Care plans and care planning are effective. Young people’s health, education and welfare are being monitored, reviewed and supported. Staff are meeting the short- term and long-term needs of young people. As a result, young people know and understand the decisions that are being made.

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Progress

Young people’s consultation and participation are good. Their thoughts and feelings are given good consideration. Young people’s meetings occur regularly and they say they get to discuss areas such as activities, food, health, education, behaviour and house rules. In addition, young people also meet regularly with their key worker to discuss issues at one-to-one meetings. As a result, the views, opinions and options of young people are more representative and let staff gain a deeper understanding by taking young people’s views into account.

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Progress

Incidents of young people going missing from the home without authority are declining markedly, as are assaults on staff and incidents requiring physical intervention by staff. Staff proactively increase their supervision of young people at times of high stress, and young people are learning to understand the parameters surrounding their vulnerability and are helping to reducing the degree of risk to their welfare.

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Progress

The home’s notification system is good. Staff correctly notify and are proactive in raising concerns to the social work teams, police and other agencies in relation to young people and any matters of significance. As a result, this helps to promote young people’s welfare.

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Progress

Health and safety are awarded a very high priority; the home has a very comprehensive and up-to-date fire risk assessment, all safety equipment is tested and serviced regularly and drills are undertaken at all required frequencies.

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Progress

Monitoring visits are routinely carried out and written feedback is provided about the home’s operation; this includes areas for improvement and development. The Registered Manager also regularly evaluates how well the home is meeting young people’s needs and keeping them safe. This information is used to formulate future plans and goals for the 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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