Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410537 Inspection date 26/02/2013 Inspector Andrew Hewston Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides residential accommodation for three young people, male or female, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is privately run and forms part of a group of four children's homes.

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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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection in June 2012, this home was judged to be good overall with two requirements and one recommendation for improvement being raised. Both of the requirements have been met, but the recommendation has not, with further shortfalls in care management being identified. The home's management structure has changed since the last inspection, with the previous Registered Manager leaving in September 2012. The current manager was able to take up the position from this point, but at the time of this inspection the process of their registration with Ofsted had not been completed. The home has increased its capacity to three young people since the last inspection.

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Progress

Monitoring of the unit has developed with reports of registered provider visits now being received by Ofsted. The six monthly assessment of the quality of care provided has been completed and identifies some trends in care provision. Recordings of staff supervision are still not available to show how they have been supported within their role. Young people state that they are happy at the home. Improvements have been made in young people's ability to manage their own time as they develop independence skills. Young people's abilities to travel independently have also been promoted with great success. Young people enjoy a good range of activities and discuss days out that they have enjoyed with staff.

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Progress

The majority of young people have care plans that have been reviewed by their placing authorities. Sufficient planning from the point of admission to the home is not consistently completed, however, and there is a lack of clear planning relating to day to day education for those not in school. This does not support their educational development. Plans for contact are in place and agreed by the placing authorities to support young people's relationships with their families where appropriate.

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Progress

Young people are consulted with regard to new referrals and assessments are made to ensure admissions do not have a negative impact on those already in the home. Young people's meetings are regularly completed and promote discussion regarding the running of the home and their expectations about life at the home. Key worker meetings further support young people's ability to have a say in their care. A lack of clear training or discussion has taken place with regard to the wide age range of young people within the home and how this is to be responded to by the staff team.

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Progress

Young people state that they feel safe. However, risk assessments for all young people are not available within the home. This is concerning, given the needs of the young people and the wide age difference between them, and does not support their safety.

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Progress

The accommodation continues to be of a high standard, with pleasant and homely décor. The creation of a new bedroom and movement of the office area has been completed well and young people state that they are happy with their rooms.

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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

12A (2001) ensure the registered person co-operates with the child's placing authority in agreeing and signing the plan for the child's placement prepared in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Regulation 12A (1)) 15/03/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 15/03/2013 (2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated there. This specifically relates to assessment of risk for children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 15/03/2013

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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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Recommendations

 ensure children have access to a plan and a range of educational resources to support their learning (NMS 8.2)  ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting. This specifically relates to the age range of the children accommodated. (NMS 18.1)

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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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