Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC033268 Inspection date 12/02/2013 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 29/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates up to 12 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is provided by a private company.

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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 inspection in October 2012, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was adequate. The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Developments and improvements ensure that young people remain well-cared for and safe.

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Progress

Three requirements and three recommendations for improvements were made at the last inspection and all of these matters have been fully addressed. One requirement was to ensure that satisfactory character references are received for each member of staff before they start work at the home. The home's manager and owner have comprehensively reviewed the home's recruitment and selection procedures. Staff personnel records are now retained within the children's home and not the organisation’s local office. The home's manager has full responsibility for ensuring that all relevant checks are made and that staff do not start work in the home until these have been received. This will help to keep young people safe and free from potential abuse.

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Progress

The second requirement was to ensure that all staff receive regular formal supervision. The home's manager has reviewed the schedule of supervision. A programme is in place to ensure that supervision is carried out at regular intervals and that all staff attend. This will help to ensure that staff feel fully supported in their work and any practice issues can be quickly addressed.

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Progress

The final requirement was for the home's manager to maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children's home. The home's manager has reviewed this system and ensures that regular detailed checks are carried out. Formal records are maintained and any patterns of behaviour analysed. This helps to keep children safe and improves the quality of their care.

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Progress

Three recommendations were made in relation to the home's missing from home records, the Statement of Purpose and staff training. The missing from home records have been reviewed and up dated. The records now include the reasons why a young person has gone missing and the actions taken by staff to locate the young people concerned. This means that staff are able to analyse the circumstances surrounding a young person going missing and how these circumstances can be minimised in future. This will help to keep young people safe.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and up dated. Information relating to the skills, qualities and experience of staff members is now included within the document. This helps placing social workers to be fully aware of the diverse interests and backgrounds of the staff team. This will help them in their decision-making process when considering potential placements for young people.

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Progress

The final recommendation was in relation to staff training, particularly the induction of new staff following their appointment. All staff are now enrolled onto the Children's Workforce Development Council’s induction standards. This means they are able to develop their skills and competencies in looking after young people.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made improvements in other areas. Staff recruitment and selection systems have been revised and now include the active participation of young people. This will young people to feel listened to and to have a direct influence over those appointed to help look after them. The home's manager has also revised a number of systems used within the home, particularly care planning. Care plans are now easier to understand, they are written in plain English and they record the direct involvement of young people. Additionally, greater use has been made of electronic recording and computer software systems. Staff have been enrolled onto relevant training programmes to help them understand and feel comfortable with information technology. This will help to keep records up to date and accurate. The home's manager has also introduced a formal log for recording visits by social workers and independent reviewing officers. This will help to ensure

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Progress

that young people receive their statutory visits regularly and that placing authorities listen to what they have to say.

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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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