Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC440309 Inspection date 07/03/2013 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's residential unit provides care for up to six young people of either sex aged from 11 to 17 years. The unit can take emergency placements.

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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 previous inspection on 15 October 2012, the home's overall effectiveness was judged to be adequate. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure some good outcomes for children and young people.

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Progress

A requirement set at the last inspection was responded to in full, ensuring that comprehensive safeguarding support was in place for some particularly vulnerable young people. A series of safeguarding meetings took place in consultation with partners and these established safe operational parameters. The programmes implemented were supported by detailed risk assessments and provided effective individual responses to respond to placement needs. Many young people have experienced successful transitions in moving on from the home.

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Progress

Eight recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed in full and this has led to further improvements in the home's operation. The group of young people living at the home changed considerably between inspections. Young people receive focused individual care from a confident staff team who can match their practice to inspection framework, grade descriptors and evaluation schedule. Improvements in practice have reduced behaviour management concerns considerably. Young people have developed skills to enable them to resolve conflict positively. Strategies to reduce incidents of young people going missing from home were particularly effective. Young people learned how to take more responsibility for their actions and make sensible and safe decisions most of the time. Young people have maintained positive relationships with staff and their peers and this has led to better cooperation and more commitment to placement arrangements. Education and college

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Progress

The home's management team reports significant events appropriately and this includes providing Ofsted with on-going updates as investigations into concerns progress. A complaint allegation has been investigated in accordance with safeguarding procedures. The home's Registered Manager maintains suitably detailed records on each significant incident.

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Progress

Consultation processes are effective and new ways of seeking views continue to be introduced. The young people, their family members and a wide range of partners contribute to the development of the service. Monitoring and controlling the activities of the home through internal and external measures has been considerably enhanced between inspections. Ofsted receives quality assurance monitoring reports at the required frequency. The formats used for these reports provide clear evaluations on matters affecting the home's operation. Comments have been made which show high levels of satisfaction with the home's management, young people's health, welfare, health and safety. New ideas and initiatives are constantly being introduced and the Registered Manager uses the available information to support continuous improvement.

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Progress

The home provides a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential. Young people regularly reflect with staff on their progress. This helps to keep them motivated. Young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve. All staff hold relevant qualifications and remain motivated to provide young people with the best possible experiences. Some changes to the staff team were made between the two inspections, resulting in three permanent appointments being made. Managers use their skills and experience to stimulate the enthusiasm of staff and channel their efforts effectively. Young people continue to receive a good standard of care delivered by an experienced staff team. Good information, including policy and procedural guidance, is available to support the staff's practice. On-going training is being provided to ensure that staff at all

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Progress

levels continually develop their skills.

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Progress

Young people’s introductions to the service are managed well, allowing them to settle quickly. The ethos and culture at the home clearly places young people at the forefront of practice. There have been few issues of concern between inspections. Records provide a good overview of the work that is taking place at the home. Management and staff are very clear on each individual's plans. Programmes run by key workers positively change young people’s behaviours. Young people work closely with staff and hard work has created an interesting home where they like to be. Young people are choosing to spend their time doing constructive activities and many have friends in the surrounding community. Friends also visit the home. Young people confirm that they are happy, safe and relaxed living in their home. Young people's success and achievements are celebrated and this keeps them focussed.

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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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