Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC028905 Inspection date 07/03/2013 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is part of a local authority residential provision for looked after children. It provides care and accommodation for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It provides emergency, short- term assessment placements for a maximum of five young people, of either gender. Placements are for a maximum of 12 weeks, other than in exceptional circumstances.

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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 October 2012, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding. No statutory requirements or recommendations were made. The home has made good progress since the last inspection and continues to maintain excellent standards, promote improvement and provide very positive outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Young people make significant progress in all aspects of their lives and are increasingly becoming aware of how their own choices and actions impact upon their lives. Young people are supported to develop mature responses to anger, frustration and disappointment and increasingly express their feelings more positively. The staff team demonstrate a sound knowledge of each young person's personal history and background, which facilitates excellent tailored responses to individual needs. As a result, young people are well supported to understand their life events and begin to learn how they can move forward. Young people have achieved greater self-reliance and have become far more confident and capable since the start of their placement. Their behaviour and safety has improved and their relationships with family and friends are developing more positively, resulting in better emotional wellbeing. Young people are fully consulted

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Progress

about all aspects of their life and future whilst in the home. One young person said: 'Staff encourage me to be involved in my care plan and about decisions I need to make for my future'. Young people's meetings are held regularly and these provide for improvement in the quality of care. For example, any actions identified at a meeting are reviewed at the next meeting to ensure they have been met.

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Progress

Young people's attendance in educational provisions is exceptionally good. From their starting points, young people make significant progress and move on to further education placements. Young people report a great sense of pride in their educational achievements and have aspirations and ambitions for their future careers. Close and regular communication between the staff team and education providers further ensures that young people receive the support they need to achieve and progress.

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Progress

Young people say that they are happy living in the home and that they feel safe. Staff are skilled at protecting young people from the risk of harm, while at the same time enabling them to take controlled risks in preparation for their next stages of life. One of the strengths of the staff team lies in their ability to quickly develop open and positive relationships with young people. One young person said, 'The staff here are really kind and they listen to me. They teach me how to protect myself'. One young person confirmed that they felt respected by the staff. As a result, young people are helped to gain trust and belief in others.

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Progress

Young people’s behaviour continues to improve as they are fully involved in identifying ways to address and manage their behaviours. Young people are taught to confidently and competently manage their own free time and, consequently, they take part in fewer risk taking activities. Staff are extremely skilled and are strong advocates in challenging barriers which may hinder young people’s progress and their future prospects. Safeguarding strategies and behaviour support are facilitated with a firm commitment to multi-agency work. Young people’s safety needs are supported by a variety of agencies, including the child and adolescent mental health team, independent advocacy and the police. As a result, young people's welfare and safety are maximised.

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Progress

During the assessment period staff work in conjunction with the young people's families, so that all parties are fully aware of the issues and conflicts that have ultimately led to the young person's placement. Significant work is done within family liaison meetings, so that each individual comes to understand how best to take things forward. Consequently, young people are able to forge new and meaningful relationships with people who are significant to them.

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Progress

The home provides a very comfortable, bright and spacious environment in which young people are relaxed and settled. There are several areas in the home where young people can see visitors in private. An annual programme of refurbishment continues and recently new carpets have been laid in two young people's bedrooms and a new sofa has been provided for waking night staff. Some kitchen appliances have been replaced and the home intends to upgrade the kitchen throughout, later on in the year. Trees have been ordered to further improve privacy whilst young people are in the garden area.

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Progress

Young people really benefit from a stable, well trained, experienced and competent staff team. The Registered Manager is innovative and pro-active in her leadership and staff development is high on her agenda. Training programmes within the home are robust and all established staff are qualified to National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or the equivalent Children and Young Peoples Workforce Diploma. Staff morale is high and the team clearly understand all protocols and procedures and implement a well-managed framework of care to the young people.

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Progress

The Registered Manager monitors the standards in the home by undertaking regular rigorous audits of all areas of the service. Detailed reports produced ensure that there is a focus on key areas and actions needed. The monthly regulation 33 visits and reports contain detailed information and set recommendations for improvement. The Registered Manager ensures that all recommendations made from these visits are acted on in a timely manner. 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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