Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC377825 Inspection date 06/03/2013 Inspector Jo Stephenson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 15/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This children's home is part of a large organisation operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

The judgement at the last full inspection in November 2012 was good. The service has addressed the two requirements and one recommendation made at the full inspection. Nevertheless, changes made to administration and recording systems have yet to be embedded in the practice of the home and four recommendations for further improvement have been raised.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection the manager has reviewed the standard use of bedroom door alarms to restrict the movement of young people at night. The potential for the home to use this restrictive measure is now included in the Statement of Purpose for the home, the young people’s guide to the home and within individual placement plans for young people. Nevertheless, risk assessments completed by staff to ascertain the need to use this restrictive measure are not reviewed to reflect the individual safeguarding needs of young people. For example, the home automatically uses door alarms on all bedrooms when a new young person is admitted to the service. This means that young people already residing in the home have this measure imposed when their risks assessments have not identified this to be necessary to safeguard their welfare or the welfare of others.

p.3

Progress

The home has established close links with safeguarding agencies and has a detailed safeguarding policy in place. Nonetheless, records relating to allegation about staff, referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officer, actions taken or the outcome of any investigations are disorganised. The home does not retain a clear or comprehensive summary of safeguarding concerns within an appropriate file system. This means that records are disjointed and fragmented and as a result the progress of safeguarding referrals is not clear.

p.4

Progress

Young people say they understand how to make a complaint. Young people are able to access complaints forms without reference to staff and are provided with information on advocacy services. However, complaints records are disjointed and do not show if or when young people receive feedback on the issues they have raised or if they are satisfied with actions taken to resolve their complaint. As a result, young people do not benefit from a transparent approach to addressing their concerns.

p.4

Progress

Staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of the individual needs of young people. Young people participate in regular keywork sessions and these are used to shape internal behaviour support plans and placement plans. Staff encourage young people to identify developmental targets and set short-, medium- and long-term goals. Targets are reviewed on a regular basis by young people and staff; and progress is monitored against the aims and objective of statutory care plans. This means that young people are involved in decisions about their care and case records provide a helpful overview their development.

p.4

Progress

The manager has reviewed the health and safety risk assessment and this document now includes all areas of the home that may pose a risk to young people. For example, the outside smoking area used by young people is included in daily health and safety checks. Fire risk assessments have been reviewed and amended with the support of the fire service, and a comprehensive document is in use. Young people regularly participate in fire drills and tests and records show these are completed within suitable timescales.

p.4

Progress

The home requires some general maintenance and re-decoration to improve the ‘homely’ feel of the setting. Communal areas of the home are sparse and show signs of minor vandalism and this does not provide young people with a comfortable environment.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure children receive prompt feedback on any concerns or complaints raised and are kept informed of progress (NMS 1.6)  provide a comfortable and homely environment that is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure physical restriction used within the home for one child do not impose similar restrictions on other children (NMS 10.4)  ensure a clear and comprehensive summary of any allegations made against staff is kept, including details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, a record of any actions taken and the decisions reached. (NMS 20.7)

p.4

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.

p.6

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.

p.6