Children's Home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC062288 Inspection date 26/02/2013 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is part of a large organisation operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to four young people of either gender who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or a learning disability.

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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 as good at the full inspection in September 2012. Since that time, the manager has made good progress in addressing the requirement and all recommendations raised during the inspection. The Statement of Purpose now details how it meets the needs of young people who suffer with a learning disability. The home now fully implements a written education policy that promotes and values children's education. Fire drills are being undertaken on an unannounced basis and staff are more effective in promoting transitions to independence and adult life. Staff now receive suitable training to meet the needs of the young people in placement and their care plans are monitored by a key worker. This has led to continuing improvement in the quality of care provided for young people.

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Progress

Progress since the previous inspection is good. The manager demonstrates good oversight of working practices and has ensured that this home continues to prioritise positive outcomes for all the young people. Young people are happy in placement and are making good progress. One young person said, 'I like living here the staff are always here for me. They support me and I feel safe here'. Young people continue to benefit from well-planned and personalised care. They confirm they are settled and well cared for. The promotion of equality and diversity is threaded through all areas of practice at this home and is second nature to the staff team who have day-to-day contact with the young people. Each young person is appreciated, valued and recognised as an individual. This allows young people to progress at a pace that is appropriate to their personal development. Young people's mental health and emotional support needs are well provided for, through regular

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Progress

key working sessions and the continuity of a stable staff team. This has helped young people to come to terms with some of their unhappy life experiences, to understand and manage some of their difficult family relationships and to develop self-confidence and a feeling of self-worth.

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Progress

Safeguarding continues to be at the forefront of practice. Staff are skilled at protecting young people from the risk of harm, while at the same time enabling them to take controlled risks. As a result, young people learn how to keep themselves safe. Young people’s behaviour also continues to improve because they are fully involved in identifying ways to address and manage their negative behaviours. Young people identify and are proud of the significant improvements in their behaviour. One young person said, 'My behaviour is miles better since I have been here, there is always someone who I can talk to if I am worried about anything'.

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Progress

Young people's views are valued by the manager and staff. A robust complaints’ process ensures that young people are confident to raise any concerns they have. This ensures that they have a voice. One young person said, 'I know how to make a complaint but have never needed to'. A social worker gave positive feedback about the care. She said, 'The young person placed here is doing very well in all aspects of her life. I am very pleased with the care and support she receives'. Young people make good transitions from education to work placements and this helps them identify future career choices. The Registered Manager and Regulation 33 visitor regularly consult with young people about their life in the home; this gives them a real sense of belonging in the home. Reports of the visits are sent to Ofsted as are notifications in line with the regulations. The home is operating in accordance with its conditions of registration and the registered persons remain fit for registration.

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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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