Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in Wokingham

Unique reference number SC411616 Inspection date 20/03/2013 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately owned by an established company. The home is registered to accommodate a maximum of three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. A therapeutic approach is taken in working with children and young people with the aim of enabling them to return to their family home or to an alternative family placement.

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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 full inspection in September 2012, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was judged as good. The home has demonstrated continued improvements in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people by addressing the three requirements that were raised at the previous inspection and all of the recommendations.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive well planned care provided by a committed and competent staff team. Staff provide clear boundaries within a caring environment. Yong people generally have a positive view of the care they receive and they understand the rules and boundaries in the home. Young people confirm that they would be able to talk to staff if they were worried or anxious.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the home has experienced changes with the group dynamics in the home. With the changes, the staff team have encountered different challenges. There has been a high amount of risk taking behaviours recorded: in particular, young people going missing from care and placing themselves at risk. All that is possible is done, in line with each young person’s protocol and risk assessments, to locate him or her and bring about a safe return to the home. There is excellent liaison with families and the police, and staff look at minimising the risk of reoccurrence. The manager and staff team evaluate this behaviour to examine trends or issues, and this enables staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice. Young people's safety is given high priority and this includes effective working with external professionals. The manager has developed links with the youth service and local community officers. Regular meetings take place to ensure a holistic approach

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Progress

to reducing risk taking behaviours is achieved. Staff have received additional training through external professionals to enhance their work with individual young people. This has included training on sexual exploitation and restorative justice. This has further equipped staff with the skills to support young people in managing their behaviour and provide emotional support.

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Progress

The home was asked to improve the recording of any restraint in the home. The recording now includes detail of the measure used to prevent physical intervention and the signature of the person making the record. This is a sound system, which staff are aware of and enables effective monitoring to take place. The management team has produced detailed reviews on incidents of challenging behaviour. This has included looking at trends and patterns of incidents; of consequences and positive handling. Staff have been given the opportunity to be involved in this detailed analysis of behaviours. This process enables the staff team to have a proactive approach and introduce methods to reduce these behaviours

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Progress

Confidential records are currently kept in the staff office with restricted access. However, a number of files containing young people’s personal information and also displaying full names are stored on a bookcase in the office. This can be viewed externally due to them being on display near a window. This provides opportunities for individuals to access personal data that compromises confidentiality for young people.

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Progress

The manager is aware of the process in reporting notifiable events to the appropriate authorities. The manager has cascaded this information down to senior staff so they are aware of the process to follow; this ensures that the appropriate people are now notified immediately.

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Progress

The home has consulted with the local fire and rescue service, to ensure adequate precautions are taken against the risk of fire in particular that there are adequate means of escape. The local fire and rescue service have visited the home and accepted the arrangements that are now in place. There is now an emergency evacuation plan specific to the home which is easily accessible to staff and visitors.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the service has further developed the range of therapeutic services offered to support the young people. A child and adolescent psychotherapist now undertakes a ‘state of mind assessment’ at the start of a young person’s placement. This involves the young person, the service and placing authority. This is enabling everyone to work together and be aware of therapeutic options at the commencement of placement.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, much work has been done to evaluate the current level of service, to progress service development plans and to plan ahead for future areas of development for the coming year. Young people are involved in the home’s development plans and actions following young people’s consultation are clearly documented. Since the last inspection, the home has worked with the young people to achieve their individual aspirations. Young people have been successful in transitioning back to the family home. The staff team are very proud of the young people’s achievements and have young people’s well-being at heart. Young people’s welfare is enhanced by the relationships that exist between staff and young people. The staff are clearly very passionate about promoting good outcomes for young people and work as a team to ensure this is achieved.

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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 that information about individual children is kept confidential. (NMS 22.3)

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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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