Children's Home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Cumbria

Unique reference number SC356907 Inspection date 11/02/2013 Inspector Gillian Walters Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype

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Date of last inspection 18/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private provider, who has three other children's homes in the locality. It provides a service to nine young males, between the ages of 10 and 15 years. The home cares for young people who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. The organisation also operates a school, registered with the Department for Education, providing fully-integrated programmes of care and education.

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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 home was judged as being outstanding. Since this time, good progress has been made, promoting positive outcomes for young people.

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Progress

The home has further developed its independence planning programme for young people. Planned changes in some staffing arrangements means that meals are no longer prepared for young people during holiday periods as they are during term time. This affords young people the opportunity to budget, plan and prepare all their meals during this time. Young people are enthusiastic about this development and are successfully learning new skills appropriate to their age and understanding that increases their sense of achievement.

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Progress

Some young people that were deemed ready for greater independence were prepared for a move to a new home opened by the company in December 2012. The involvement of these young people in planning their move meant that the transition for them was smooth and positive. The young people remaining in the home have adjusted well to living as a smaller group but nevertheless say they are looking forward to the time when new young people move in. One young person commented, ‘The home is quiet, I miss the young people that have moved.’

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Progress

Young people continue to share excellent relationships with staff. There is mutual respect and an understanding held by young people that staff care for them and wish them to achieve and succeed in life. One young person commented, ‘This is a good place to grow up. I’ve been in care homes since I was two; this is the best place I’ve been.’

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Progress

Young people benefit from living in a nurturing environment where the importance of play is well understood. Young people are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities that promote opportunities for fun, development of their social skills and provide good exercise. Such activities have included games of hide and seek, tree top climbing, football, sledging, trampolining and paint balling.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from living in a home where their behaviour is well managed and supported. The use of physical intervention is very rare. Young people have a clear understanding of the expectations and boundaries that exist. One commented of staff, ‘They care, they are firm but fair.’

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Progress

The home has continued to make good progress in upgrading young people’s living accommodation; replacing carpets, installing new bathrooms and further redecoration of young people’s bedrooms. Young people’s involvement in this has been encouraged to ensure their home reflects their tastes and preferences. As a result young people take pride in their home and enjoy the comfort it provides.

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Progress

The home continues to actively seek the views of young people and those important to them in developing and improving their services and provision. Young people’s meetings are well established and they also benefit from regular key worker sessions that provide good opportunity to make their views and wishes known. Young people have recently contributed to the development of the home’s website, providing their personal views of the home and what it offers. This is intended to support work in progress on a new children’s guide. As a result, young people know their contribution within this home is important and valued.

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Progress

The home has recently surveyed placing authorities and received extremely positive feedback, supporting those views expressed by young people and indicating a high degree of satisfaction with the provision. Social workers have commented of the home and staff: ‘The placement is extremely child focused;' ‘Staff are friendly and welcoming and nothing is ever too much for them;' ‘Staff are well informed on child development and appear well supported;' ‘They are dedicated to the children they work with.’

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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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