Children's Home run by Trafford Borough Council in Trafford

Unique reference number SC032496 Inspection date 04/02/2013 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This Local Authority children's home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people of either sex from 11 to 17 years of age. The home is registered with Ofsted to provide services to young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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

The home was judged to provide young people with a good standard of care at its previous inspection in October 2012. It has made good progress in meeting all of the previous recommendations made. The arrangements made to monitor the home's performance and provide young people with safe, good quality care are managed effectively.

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Progress

The duration of restraints is now recorded to review the safety, duration and effectiveness of the measure used. Fire drills demonstrate the response time and young people's risk assessments are now compatible with the joint protocol between the home and the police for reporting children missing from care. As a result, young people benefit from improved risk assessment to promote their welfare. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in implementing this policy to promote young people's safe return if they are missing.

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Progress

There are effective systems in place for the routine monitoring of the home's performance, to promote the smooth and efficient operations of the home. Regulation 33 and Regulation 34 checks are undertaken consistently and reports of the home's monitoring activities are made available to Ofsted and the home. Young people benefit from a home that is managed efficiently and effectively.

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Progress

Young people benefit from safe, homely and comfortable living accommodation. The location of the home ensures young people benefit from a diverse range of services, including recreational activities, a large shopping centre and sports and leisure facilities. The health and safety of the premises is managed effectively. Young people benefit from a safe and secure environment, that promotes their safety and well- being.

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Progress

Young people receive good support to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour is managed safely and the use of sanctions are fair, reasonable and proportionate. The use of physical intervention is rare and this is viewed as a last resort. Restraint is only used where absolutely necessary to protect young people and prevent accident or injury to them.

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Progress

Young people know how to make a complaint and their complaints are investigated and taken seriously. Young people are protected from abuse, bullying, neglect and exploitation. They benefit from good relationships with staff and enjoy a strong sense of personal safety. Young people are kept safe and they feel safe living at the home.

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Progress

Young people said, 'Its good here. I still like it. The staff are like my second family. They're 100% supportive…I'm not sure I want to move.'

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Progress

Young people benefit from good support to promote their educational achievement. There are clear expectations placed on young people to attend school, college or an alternative provision. However, there have been new admissions to the home and for some young people there are issues with school attendance. Consequently, not all young people may achieve their full educational potential.

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Progress

The manager and staff are actively committed to improve educational outcomes. They challenge educational barriers and they continue to engage with professionals, teaching staff and schools to achieve the best outcomes possible for all young people. Consequently, young people learn to re-engage with their education, with good support and encouragement from staff.

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Progress

As a result of this inspection, there is one recommendation made in relation to young people's improved educational attendance and progress.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  support the educational achievement of all young people through regular attendance at school, college or alternative provision. (NMS 8.3)

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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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