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

Unique reference number SC005066 Inspection date 12/02/2013 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

This home is a resource used by the provider for young people who may be in crisis or requiring a brief solo placement. For example, to defuse conflict between young people from the provider’s other homes and for specific child protection needs. It provides opportunity for young people and staff to work together and reflect on their circumstances and to develop ways to manage challenging behaviour.

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Progress

There have been three solo placements since the last inspection in July 2012. There were no young people in residence on this inspection.

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Progress

The focus of this inspection was to confirm that the children's home meets the statutory requirements in order to maintain its registration and that the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard in the event of an emergency admission.

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Progress

The Registered Manager stated that in the event of an admission, only suitably qualified and experienced staff would transfer from other homes. Staffing arrangements would be according to the needs of the young people admitted to the home. There are risk assessments in place relating to lone working and taking young people on activities, to ensure that adequate levels of staff are available when required.

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Progress

There are processes to promote, maintain and monitor health and safety in the home. There are generic risk assessments relating to the home. All weekly monitoring checks are in place in the home and meet requirements. There are routine fire safety and security checks. This means the Registered Manager can accept referrals at short notice.

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Progress

Some areas of the home are in need of maintenance and refurbishment. This generally relates to roof maintenance, cleaning of the interior and exterior of the home and bathroom repairs. This means the home does not provide a homely environment and is not welcoming. A requirement has been made in this regard.

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Progress

Arrangements to promote the safety and welfare of young people are in place. There are policies and procedures regarding child protection, complaints, anti-bullying and behaviour management. The home has established links to ensure a multi-agency response to incidents of young people missing from care or other child protection issues.

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Progress

The home’s aims and objectives are set out clearly in the Statement of Purpose. This provision means that families and placing authorities receive accurate information about the home. Young people receive a children’s guide which contains information on their care, advocacy, contacts and the details for Ofsted. The complaints procedure is on the notice board in an appropriate format. Young people have their own telephone to make private calls, which means they can express any concerns they may have independently of the staff team.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has clear strategies to implement if a referral is made to the home. The home is maintained to a satisfactory standard and with the exception of some maintenance issues, is ready for young people to move in. The home meets the registration requirements and remains suitable to accommodate young people.

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home used by children, are kept clean and reasonable decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (2) (e)) 12/03/2013

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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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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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