Children's Home run by Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited in Manchester

Unique reference number SC381339 Inspection date 14/02/2013 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender, with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This home is operated by a private organisation.

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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

The last full inspection in November 2012 judged the home to be adequate. At that time, the provider and Registered Manager were asked to implement requirements and recommendations to improve further the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

The children’s home has failed to fully address one or more regulatory requirements; because of this and the serious shortfalls identified at the time of this visit; the home is judged as making inadequate progress. While the home has addressed the majority of previous statutory requirements and one of the recommendations, the provider has not taken full action to secure improvements.

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Progress

At the last inspection, a requirement was made to review the Statement of Purpose for this service and include the emergency admission procedures; this has not been addressed. The revised certificate of registration is now on display and a copy of young people’s special educational needs statements are also available to inform staff of their needs. The young people now benefit from access to a telephone. Independent provider visit reports now indicate that staff and young people have the opportunity to meet with them privately. However, the reports are not fully highlighting shortfalls in the physical presentation of the home and the author does not sign them. This does not establish who carries out the visits or give a clear audit of responsibility and accountability.

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Progress

At the last inspection, a recommendation was made to ensure that staff undertake training in supervising contact, this has been completed. Staff continue to work hard alongside education support services to obtain education and vocational learning support to young people. There has been some success in obtaining additional education for young people and half the young people are doing very well in this area of their development. However, half the young people are not in education, training or employment. Some young people also continue to refuse access to health services and home has failed to develop a clear strategy to counter young people’s persistent refusal to engage with health services; this may impact negatively upon health outcomes into adulthood.

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Progress

The overall presentation of the home has improved in the communal areas, such as the lounge, games room and computer room. However, some young people’s bedrooms are not heated or furnished adequately; some furniture is broken and bedding is poor quality. This means not all young people have homely warm bedrooms. Also, in one bedroom the smoke detector is covered by fabric, reducing effectiveness. The oven in the kitchen is in a state of disrepair and poses an unacceptable risk to young people and staff; this is a particular risk to young people because they frequently use it to prepare cook their own meals.

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Progress

Young people are not sufficiently aware of the complaints procedures and how to access independent advocacy; this is an identified area of development. The home does not give young people the correct numbers to call for external support and advocacy, so young people wanting to contact a Children’s Right’s officer about their statutory rights or other advice are not able to do this successfully. Young people are aware of their rights, but not how to pursue matters with support outside of the home. There are continuing shortfalls in the quality of care and how the provider makes sure that all young people achieve positive outcomes.

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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) compile in relation to the children's home a written statement of purpose, which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1; specifically, any criteria used for admission to the home, including the home's policy and procedures for 31/03/2013 emergency admissions, if the home provides for emergency admissions (Regulation 4 and Schedule 1 (9))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote the educational achievement of all children accommodated in the home, including regular attendance at school and participation in school activities of children of compulsory school age or regular attendance at college where applicable (Regulation 18 (b)) 31/03/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained; specifically, that all young people's bedrooms have sufficient heating and all bedding is replaced (Regulation 31 (2) (e)) 31/03/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health or safety; in this case, ensure that the oven is repaired or replaced, that smoke detectors in young people's rooms are not covered and are functioning (Regulation 23(a)) 19/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the person carrying out the Regulation 33 visit inspects the premises of the children’s home and prepares a written report on the conduct of the home, specifically that this addresses the fitness of the children’s bedrooms and clearly shows the author. (Regulation 33 (3) & (4) (a)(b)) 31/03/2013

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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 that young people have access to independent advice and support from adults who they can contact directly and in private about problems or concerns, which is appropriate to their age and understanding. Children know their rights to advocacy and how to access an advocate (NMS 1.5)  ensure that children’s health is promoted in accordance with their placement plan; with specific reference to developing a clear strategy to address a young person’s persistent refusal to engage with health services. (NMS 6.5)

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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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