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

Unique reference number SC008487 Inspection date 04/03/2013 Inspector Angela Whiteley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of a number of children's homes owned by a private company. The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people, who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and learning 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

At the last full inspection in May 2012, the overall judgement of the home was good. Since then, the service has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. There was one requirement and three recommendations made at the last inspection, which the Registered Manager has addressed.

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Progress

The provider has reviewed its Statement of Purpose to ensure it provides clear information to fulfil the home’s aims and objectives. Staffing continues to be sufficient to meet young people’s needs. The staff team are well motivated and receive good management support. They confirm there is a strong commitment to training and development within the home. New staff are quickly enrolled onto the Children and Young People’s Workforce Diploma. Together with the Registered Manager, staff contribute to providing consistent standards of care, which ensures young people live their lives to the full. Staff work closely and effectively with social workers, police and other agencies to achieve good outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Other improvements include the redecoration of the home. The home and grounds are now well maintained as a full refurbishment programme is nearing completion. This ensures young people live in a warm, nurturing, safe and secure environment, where they feel valued and well cared for. Pathway plans and individual independence skills programmes are in place for ‘eligible’ young people. These take account of their ability to learn new skills and move forward at their own pace to enable them to prepare for independence and adult life. Young people have also seen improvements in contact arrangements, health and well-being.

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Progress

Young people’s behaviour continues to be modified and improved. This is achieved through consistent messages and role modelling by staff. Relationships between staff and young people are strong and as a result, young people respond positively to the range of incentives and rewards in place. The use of sanctions or physical restraints is extremely rare. Appropriate recording systems are in place; however, young people do not record their views or sign the entry in the record book. Incidents of young people being reported missing from home and offending behaviours have significantly reduced since the last inspection.

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Progress

A number of changes have taken place since the last inspection, which improve outcomes for young people. New care planning documentation has meant placements are now subject to frequent review. This means young people’s current and emerging needs are promptly identified and actions taken to address them. New quality assurance and monitoring systems are in place. These monitor the operation and management of the home, young people’s welfare and the home’s records. A new report format has been introduced to record visits made under regulation 33. This now includes checks on the disciplinary measures, use of restraints and records of missing person’s reports. This better captures data and allows a more robust evaluation of the available information. Any areas of weakness identified are promptly dealt with by the Registered Manager, which ensures the standards within the home continue to improve.

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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 where sanctions are used children are encouraged to have their views recorded and sign the records kept by the home. (NMS 3.18 and Volume 5 statutory guidance paragraph 2.91)

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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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