Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

Unique reference number SC450728 Inspection date 21/05/2013 Inspector Simon Morley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/02/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately run children's home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and/or 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

This last full inspection of the home was in February 2013. The overall effectiveness was judged to be good with good judgements in outcomes for young people, quality of care and safeguarding. Leadership and management were judged to be adequate. Requirements and recommendations were made to improve the quality assurance processes, record keeping, safety, staffing and ensuring young people can communicate their views about their care.

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Progress

Since then there have been changes to the management of the home with interim management arrangements in place for approximately the last month. The registered provider is recruiting a new permanent manager for this home. The interim manager and staff have made good progress in achieving the necessary improvements, continuing to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Quality assurance processes have improved. Reports produced following monitoring visits are now more objective and impartial being completed by managers who are not directly concerned with the running of the home. However, these reports do not consistently include young people's views about the home. This compromises the quality in the registered provider's arrangements for consulting with young people. The interim manager has improved the quality of management monitoring within the home and was in the process of preparing the required six monthly report to be sent to Ofsted. Although there is regular consultation with young people and their placing authorities these views are not yet clearly detailed in the manager's reports. This compromises how effectively change and improvements are linked to listening to young people.

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Progress

Despite these shortfalls, young people are listened to more and the interim manager has improved the way the home is run in various other ways. Young people now have satellite television, new outdoor furniture, more personal items and are able to participate in school trips abroad. Staff are better supported and feel more able to focus on meeting young people's needs. Safety has improved with better arrangements for handing over keys to the home from one staff shift to another. Staffing is more consistent, with sensitive arrangements for managing any changes to the staff team. This reduces anxiety to young people and provides them with better, more consistent care.

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Progress

Young people have a large say in what happens in the home. They are included in developing their care plans and have regular, frequent one-to-one time with staff. This helps young people to talk about any issues, have a say in their care, and plan for their future. Staff continue to support young people to achieve good outcomes, for example starting the Duke of Edinburgh Award, applying to college and developing their independence skills.

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Progress

Overall, there is good progress in complying with the requirements and recommendations made in the last inspection report. Two additional requirements are made as a result of this inspection to further improve the home’s quality assurance systems.

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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 person carrying out the visits shall interview, with their consent and in private, such of the children accommodated there, their parents and relatives (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 28/06/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the system referred to in paragraph (1) shall provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities, in particular making it clear how any such consultation has led to improvements in the quality of care. (Regulation 34 (3)) 28/06/2013

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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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