Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025745 Inspection date 06/02/2013 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned and managed by a charitable organisation. It provides a short-breaks service for up to five young people with learning disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders.

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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 on 29/05/12 the home was judged to be good overall. Two recommendations were made at that inspection. As a result, the home is now actively gathering, and taking into account, the views of others with an important relationship to the child. This is used to improve and develop services for the young people. Recent questionnaires to parents asked for their views and if there were any areas they would like the home to work with them on, to benefit their children. Their comments were positive and include that their children: ‘feel safe when staying and has lots of fun and excitement’; ‘likes being able to make own choices’; and ‘loves trips out and chilling in the light room’. Parents also noted that the care is excellent and that the staff are well trained and experienced.

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Progress

The home and the organisation have made considerable progress to address the second recommendation: to ensure that all young people are supported during transition to adult services. The organisation has consulted with young people, local authorities, children’s rights officers and advocates and a development plan is in place to improve and sustain such services. In addition, two members of staff have recently been designated as transition workers. They have time allocated and have begun to identify relevant young people, attend transition meetings and provide support to parents.

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Progress

Young people continue to make good progress, in line with their person centred plans. The staff know them well and gain information about their preferences from them and their parents or carers. Young people benefit from staff working in partnership with parents and carers, social workers, and schools. The home’s administrator ensures that young people’s wishes about which bedroom they use are taken into account when arranging their stays. She also accommodates parents’ requests where possible.

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Progress

It was not possible to speak with any young people during this inspection. However, their views are routinely ascertained as part of everyday life in the home and through individual consultations. All young people, including those with special communication needs, are able to make choices. Communication aids are available and information is accessible to them, for example a board in the hall lets them know which staff are on duty.

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Progress

Young people continue to be safeguarded by the policies and practices in the home. Highly comprehensive risk assessments are updated regularly and include specific strategies to minimise risks. This ensures that all staff are aware of individual’s vulnerabilities and take action to protect them. Young people are further safeguarded by receiving appropriate levels of support and supervision; this also ensures that they do not go missing. The staff work to help them understand that bullying is unacceptable and teach them about road safety and stranger danger. Young people receive praise and encouragement in line with positive behaviour management practices and their individual support plans. Restraint is only used for safety reasons. It has only needed to be used with very few young people.

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Progress

The house and garden provide young people with a safe and secure environment. Refurbishment and redecoration is carried out as necessary. New equipment has been bought for the sensory room, which the young people enjoy. All the bedrooms now have televisions behind safety screens so that the young people can relax there. As a result of a safety issue being identified, barriers to prevent access to the kitchen area have been strengthened.

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Progress

Young people benefit from a largely stable, committed staff team who provide them with positive short breaks and help them to progress. They are cared for by staff who they know and have good communication with, which ensures that they receive the consistency of care they need. Staff have opportunities to build on their skills through an effective training programme and reflective practice. The home is well organised and effectively managed and monitored. During the temporary absence of the Registered Manager, appropriate arrangements have been in place for the supervision and support of staff.

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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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