Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC400880 Inspection date 21/03/2013 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the time of the last inspection and how any progress has improved the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The last full inspection was undertaken in August 2012, the home was then found to be good. At that time, the provider and Registered Manager were asked to take account of requirements and recommendations to improve further the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

Since that time the majority of recommendations issued have been addressed placement plans now include goals with target dates about to be set and the impact this has had on young people's lives will also be included. The Registered Manager regularly monitors the effectiveness of sanctions and young people are encouraged to behave appropriately through verbal prompts, praise and incentives. The children's guide includes how young people can contact their independent reviewing officer and the Children's Rights Director; this is important because it provides young people with additional access to advocacy, should they need it. Regulation 33 visits are undertaken by the provider they give an adequate overview of the home’s functioning; however there are regular repetitions in the reports and they do not indicate whether or not young people and staff are given the opportunity to meet with the visitor in private.

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Progress

There have been occasions when the Registered Manager has had to make a referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) about the conduct of adults and professionals coming into contact with the service. On one occasion a referral to LADO has not been made, although referral was made to the child’s social worker concerned. This was an important omission because decisions of continued suitability to work with children should have been made in conjunction with LADO. The Registered Manager agreed to do this retrospectively.

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Progress

A recommendation was made in relation to the development plan; it now demonstrates the homes capacity for the continued improvement. The Registered Manager has obtained feedback from young people and other stakeholders to inform the plan and improve the quality of care.

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Progress

Staff are very positive about the arrangements for supervision and support. The home maintains records of regular supervision undertaken; this ensures that staff have professional supervision to support them in their role. This recommendation has also been met. Staff say, ’management will always help out with any problems … they are not afraid to get stuck in.’

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Progress

The home is welcoming and homely. Young people’s bedrooms are highly personalised, well equipped, clean and tidy. Young people are positive about the quality of their care. They say, ‘it’s good here … I am looked after properly … my bedroom is private … I tidy it myself’.

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Progress

The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for young people. The Registered Manager has addressed the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection; only one remains partially addressed in respect of putting timescales for meeting targets in placement plans. As a result of this visit the home is making adequate progress.

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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

(2001) ensure the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the children’s home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children’s 22/03/2013 home (Regulation 16 (2)(b)

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that Regulation 33 reports reflect that the visitor interviews, with their consent and in private, children accommodated, their parents (where appropriate), relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)) 31/03/2013

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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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