Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC066428 Inspection date 27/02/2013 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, physical or learning disabilities, mental disorders and sensory impairment. The home provides accommodation for up to four young people in the main building and one young person in an annex attached to the building. This is designed as a semi-independent living space.

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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 last inspected in June 2012, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good. At that inspection two recommendations were made. The Registered Manager has addressed both in full. The home’s arrangements to deal with the risk of fire have been revised. Evacuation drills are periodically held when the young people are in bed. In addition, the home has devised individual evacuation plans for young people who have limited mobility. This ensures that all young people, whatever their needs, are familiar with what action to take if fire breaks out at any time of the day or night. The Registered Manager has also ensured that staff are aware of what was agreed in staff meetings. This means that the staff group can be consistent in meeting the needs of young people.

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Progress

Young people are continuing to do well, with some making significant progress since the last inspection. Young people of school age have excellent attendance and are achieving in line with expectations. Those young people who have left school are either in further education or have plans to start placements. The health of young people is very good. None abuse alcohol or substances, and staff support young people to make good choices, for example, in what they eat. Some young people have undertaken activities to raise money for charity. This gives them a sense of achievement and an appreciation of other people in need.

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Progress

This is a safe home, and young people feel happy and secure. One young person said, ‘I think the place is cool. Staff are great and there are lots of things to do.' Young people do not go missing, and there is no bullying. Staff have excellent relationships with young people. This, and the judicious use of sanctions, promotes good behaviour. Staff use restraint only to keep young people safe, and the number of incidents has shown a slight decline. The recording of restraints is thorough, and includes the views of the young person. However, the actual method of restraint is not described in plain language. This makes it difficult for anyone who needs to look at the record in the future to understand what happened.

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Progress

Material standards within the home are good, and there are firm plans in place to completely refurbish the kitchen. Staff involve young people in decisions about changing décor and equipment. This gives young people a sense of worth and that what they say matters. Care plans and other documentation provide clear information about each young person. They enable staff to support young people effectively and consistently. The Registered Manager’s monitoring of the home’s performance is good, and takes account of consultation with young people and others. This helps her to identify shortfalls and put in place actions to improve.

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Progress

The home places young people at the centre of its operation. Young people have a variety of ways to express choice and make their views known. There are frequent individual key worker sessions. These provide young people with the opportunity to discuss their care plans and what is going on in their life. The Registered Manager also makes time available to have discussions with young people. The home has a good relationship with a recognised advocacy service. This provides an additional route for young people to express any concerns they may have.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of restraint in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose, specifically that the nature of the restraint is described in plain language. (Regulation 17B(3)(c)) 21/03/2013

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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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