Children's Home run by Frances House Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC403462 Inspection date 07/03/2013 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to five young people, of both genders, between the ages of 11 and 17 years. The home cares for children with emotional and behavioural 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 undertaken in August 2012, the overall judgement given was outstanding. Since then, good progress has been made. For example, the manager has introduced an individual work programme for some young people. A number of administrative improvements have been made following evaluation of practice. These include improved recording of communication between the home and the young people's place of education, revised and updated systems for monitoring, evaluating and de-briefing those involved in incidents of physical intervention and easy-to-reference information sheets detailing current mediational needs.

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Progress

Firm plans are in place to expand the business, which includes relocating the home to a new area and recruiting more staff. This process is on-going and at an advanced stage. Young people are aware of the plans and have played an active role in the recent staff recruitment, giving them opportunities to take on new responsibilities along with the knowledge that their views and opinions do matter. The induction programme for new staff has also been revised and updated.

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Progress

The social, emotional and educational outcomes for all young people living at the home continue to improve. Placements are stable, with any behaviour management issues being worked through sensitively and with positivity. All young people are fully engaged with their individual educational placements, which are full time.

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Progress

Young people are well informed and consulted about their future plans, which gives them a feeling of worth, a sense of direction and personal goals to aim for. They confirm that their views and opinions are regularly sought and taken account of when planning for the future and in the daily life that goes on within the home. They also benefit from the strong relationships developed with a staff group that is well led and managed. This develops, maintains and enhances appropriate relationships and trust.

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Progress

Young people are settled into placements where their needs are identified and addressed. One young person said their experiences of living in the home are positive and that it is the best home they have ever lived in. Young people are actively encouraged to take advantage of community facilities and this is reflected in their social activities as well as educational placements, which are all community based. This gives young people the skills, experience and understanding of what life outside the home has to offer, moving them successfully towards a more independent lifestyle.

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Progress

The internal and external monitoring of the home is good and meets with all regulatory requirements. The two recommendations made at the previous inspection have both been fully addressed. This has resulted in improved evidence being maintained to show that all staff have the right to work and live in the United Kingdom. There is also improvement with regard to the arrangements to provide Ofsted with six monthly updates regarding the internal monitoring of the home.

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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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