Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC064735 Inspection date 15/03/2013 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/01/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's residential unit is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to six young people of either sex aged from 12 to 17 years. The home cares for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. 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 10 January 2013 the home's overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure some excellent outcomes for children and young people.

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Progress

Two recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed in full and this led to further improvements to the home's operation. Young people receive highly focussed individual care from a confident staff team who are managing older resident's transition plans very well. Each young person develops skills suitable for the world of work and adulthood at a pace suited to them. Clear timelines are established and many partners are supporting individual's arrangements. The work undertaken by key workers is high quality and extremely influential in preparing the young people for the time they move on. The young people talk about their futures with lots of optimism. There was only one significant event between inspections and this was reported transparently. The home's management kept Ofsted informed throughout the investigation and provided a final outcome statement to the incident. Consultation processes are effective and new ways of seeking views continue to be

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Progress

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 is well established. Ofsted receives quality assurance monitoring reports at the required frequency. The next bi- annual regulation 34 report is being drafted. Comments showing high levels of satisfaction with the home's operation, management, young people's health and welfare and the response taken to health and safety are available.

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Progress

New ideas and initiatives are constantly being introduced and the home's management team uses the available information to support continuous improvement. The home provides a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential. Young people responded positively to some smoking cessation work and this helped to improve their well-being and fitness. Young people's education arrangements are being managed well and attendance and achievements have grown. The staff group continue to work with one local school head teacher to further encourage and cajole improved school attendance for some young people. Individual's interests are supported extremely well and young people have access to private tutoring including guitar, swimming and driving lessons. Young people's success and achievements are celebrated and this keeps them focussed. Young people regularly reflect on their progress with staff and this keeps

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Progress

them motivated. Young people have set themselves high standards and work very hard to fulfil their ambitions. Young people's voices are loud and clear at this home and they are being listened to by staff. Young people also represent the home during Children's Rights forums.

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Progress

Young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve considerably. All staff hold relevant qualifications and remain motivated to provide young people with the best possible experiences. There were no changes to the staff team between inspections. Managers use their skills and experience to stimulate the enthusiasm of staff and channel their efforts effectively. Staff practice clearly reflects the inspection framework, evaluation schedule and grade descriptors.

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Progress

The peer group dynamic remains compatible at all times. Individuals value difference and young people build strong and trusting relationships with both their peers and staff. The ethos and culture at the home clearly places young people at the forefront of practice. This home is extremely stable. Very few issues of concern affected its operation between inspections. Young people reflect on and respond positively to their personal circumstances taking full responsibility for their behaviour. Young people learn how to keep themselves safe by making better decisions. They also develop lots of skills that enable them to sort out minor matters positively between themselves.

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Progress

Records provide a detailed overview of the work that is taking place at the home. Young people confirm that they are happy, safe and relaxed living in their home. Young people are choosing to spend their time doing constructive activities and many have friends in the surrounding community. It is clear that individuals prosper in the home's friendly and caring environment.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 ensure all young people are supported to attend school, college or alternative provision regularly. (NMS 8.3)

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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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