Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005040 Inspection date 06/02/2013 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

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

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

The home provides care for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It provides medium to long-term residential care and is owned by a private company.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection in October 2012 the overall rating for the home was judged as good, with one recommendation set within the inspection report. Since that time the children’s home has demonstrated capacity for continued improvement.

p.3

Progress

The manager has attempted to address the recommendation raised at the previous inspection, however further maintenance and decoration of the interior is still required due to damage caused by young people. Examples include badly damaged double glazing; bedroom furniture in need of replacement and damage to plaster work and décor. Additionally the bathroom and kitchen areas are in need of attention, with broken kitchen units and bathroom fittings.

p.3

Progress

Young people receive care appropriate to their individual needs to ensure they achieve good outcomes. The care package includes the provider's education, social and therapeutic staff. This means young people receive a comprehensive approach to their care which is responsive to individual needs. A knowledgeable and skilled staff team support young people with all aspects of their development. Care planning, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are individualised and comprehensive. Young people receive care which is responsive to their changing needs. This provides staff with clarity to enable effective support to young people.

p.3

Progress

Young people make good progress and develop positively within this home. Professionals and birth parents comment that the quality of care is good and outcomes improve for the young people. Young people develop attachments and form positive relationships with carers. Consistency and boundary setting further ensure young people benefit from stability of care. This results in promoting more positive and productive behaviour.

p.4

Progress

Young people live in a safe, secure and stable environment. Levels of safety are good because staff implement the robust and regularly reviewed policies and procedures. Levels of missing from care episodes have significantly reduced. The home has good protocols and procedures to follow should young people go missing. These are implemented appropriately, which promotes the safety of young people.

p.4

Progress

Leadership and management arrangements are robust. The home has a development plan in place which reflects practical proposals for continued improvement, with plans for improvements to the home, staff development and training. Internal and external monitoring processes provide continuous quality assurance which maintains standards of care, while promoting the development of this service.

p.4

Progress

One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (2) (e) ) 08/03/2013

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5