Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Oldham

Unique reference number SC066072 Inspection date 07/02/2013 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned home provides care for two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home is also registered as a school.

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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 in August 2012, the overall judgement of the home was good. Since then, there has been continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The home is making good progress. The manager provides effective management of the home and has addressed the two recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Progress

Staff ensure young people's views are taken account of in all aspects of their care and support. This includes input about decoration and furnishings in the home and their opinion on their future care. Young people said staff listen to them and they have taught them a range of independence skills. They are proud of their achievements and feel very well prepared for adult life. Pathway plans are comprehensive to ensure young people have the level of support and assistance they need for leaving care.

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Progress

A consistent and experienced staff team work at the home. The majority of staff have a relevant childcare qualification to assist them in their work with the young people. Staff present as competent and aware of young people's individual placement plans. This helps them to understand and meet young people's assessed needs.

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Progress

An adequate number of staff work at the home to care for the young people. Additional duty shifts that require cover due to staff absence are generally worked as overtime by staff employed at the home. This provides young people with continuity of care from staff they know. Agency staff are rarely used and have not worked at the home for a number of months. However, the staff duty rota is not kept up-to- date to demonstrate the staffing levels and details of staff working each duty shift.

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Progress

Young people benefit from staff who are concerned to promote their welfare and keep them safe. They said staff look after them really well and talk to them about keeping safe in the community. This helps young people to feel well cared for and to know that staff take an interest in their well-being and future. Staff successfully work with professional agencies to reduce missing from home episodes. Young people comment that they no longer go missing and are settled in the home.

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Progress

All young people receive an education tailored to meet their specific needs. Young people are confident and positive about their career choice and the support they receive from staff to achieve this. Staff encourage young people to obtain and participate in work experience placements. These are actively sought and thoroughly enjoyed by the young people.

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Progress

The manager has a good overview of how the home is running and uses various internal and external monitoring systems to assist her in this aspect of her work. This helps to ensure a high quality of care is maintained. One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to the duty rota.

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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 records of staff working in the home demonstrate the staffing level on each shift and identity of those on duty. (17.2)

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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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