Children's Home run by Lifetime Opportunities Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC063103 Inspection date 07/03/2013 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by a privately owned company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have a learning disability.

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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 inspection in December 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be outstanding. Since that time the home has made good progress.

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Progress

One recommendation was made at the last inspection. This related to the records of physical intervention and restraint. This recommendation has been met. The manager has taken steps to ensure that the restraint log now includes young people's views and comments. She regularly monitors these records to ensure that staff are responding to and managing challenging behaviour safely and in line with young people's individual plans. This protects young people.

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Progress

Young people continue to be well cared for by a competent and committed team of staff who have a good knowledge of their complex needs. As a result they have made good progress in a number of areas since the last inspection. One young person has been successfully supported to move into an alternative placement and transition planning has started for another young person. This has been done at an early stage to ensure that their assessed needs can be met when they eventually move on from the children's home into adult services. Young people have continued to attend school or college every day and are reported to be making good progress towards meeting their individual education targets. They are developing their life and independence skills at a pace that is appropriate to their specific needs and abilities. This has helped to promote their confidence. Young people have a healthy lifestyle. They have a good daily routine and are encouraged

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Progress

to exercise. Staff provide them with healthy meals which they help to choose. Robust systems for the safe storage and administration of medication ensure that young people are protected and have medicines when they need them.

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Progress

Young people benefit from being supported to take part in a range of activities that promote their general and social development and support their inclusion into the community. These include membership of youth clubs and after school clubs, dance and gym classes. One young person has recently enjoyed taking part in a residential activity course. Young people also have access to a range of resources in the home that support their learning and development through play. Where young people's complex needs have led them to concentrate on one activity to the exclusion of all others, staff have successfully helped them to try different things for a time before returning to their favourite. This has helped to broaden young people's experiences and develop their skills.

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Progress

Staff recognise the importance of positive family contact to young people. Since the last inspection, staff have ensured that young people have been supported to keep in touch with their families in line with their individual contact plans. They have liaised closely with families, welcoming them into the home and supporting young people on contact visits. Young people have enjoyed extended family contact visits over Christmas. This has benefited them emotionally and has helped to promote their sense of identity.

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Progress

The home continues to be managed effectively. Since the last inspection, the manager has completed the process of registration with Ofsted. This meets the requirements of the regulations. Staff report that they have regular supervision and annual appraisals. They also have access to advice and guidance outside of these formal sessions and confirm that they have good training opportunities. This supports them in their care of young people with complex needs. The manager closely monitors the operation of the home to ensure that young people are safe and well cared for. She regularly consults with young people, their families and professionals involved with the home and uses information gained through these processes to drive improvements for the benefit of young people.

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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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