Children's Home run by Quality Protects Children Ltd in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC066010 Inspection date 11/12/2013 Inspector Stella Henderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 12/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This privately run children's home provides care for up to four long-term placements for children.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making inadequate progress .

p.3

Progress

The last full inspection of the home was undertaken in June 2013 where the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good.

p.3

Progress

The home has met one recommendation raised at the last inspection which was to ensure young people's views on their care are better documented. This enables young people to be confident that their opinions are heard. A second recommendation to improve the home's development plan is largely met. Significant changes have occurred within the home, however, and this is therefore still work in progress.

p.3

Progress

A requirement to include consultation with young people, their parents and placing social workers as part of the Regulation 34 monitoring has not been met. This means a valuable contribution to improving the quality of care in the home and driving forward further improvement is lost. This requirement is raised again.

p.3

Progress

Young people continue to feel safe at the home. One young person said they feel wanted, valued and happy to be there. Another young person commented that they feel relaxed living at the home. Staff have achieved some improvements for young people in a short period of time, such as reducing the risk of child sexual exploitation, involvement in criminal activity and better overall health.

p.3

Progress

However, the home has been unable to sustain good practice. Important documents such as the home's own placement plan are not always signed and dated. Risk assessments are not updated to reflect emerging risks. In one instance, the home's risk assessment and action plan referred to a different young person. This impacts on young people being able to enjoy good quality care and have their needs fully identified and met.

p.4

Progress

Young people generally choose not to go missing from the home. The guidance for staff is confusing, however, giving different times for when the police should be contacted. This means that young people may not get the assistance they need to be returned home quickly and safely.

p.4

Progress

There are few notifiable incidents. Where these occur the provider ensures that Ofsted is notified in a timely fashion. However, the quality of the recording in notifications does not provide the regulator with sufficient information with regard to background details and plans of action. This makes it difficult to assess whether young people have been fully protected and supported.

p.4

Progress

The home's Registered Manager is currently absent. Deputising arrangements are in place, however, and are found to be suitable.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home a record in permanent form which is kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each written entry (Regulation 28)(1)(b)(c) 10/01/2014

p.4

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. (Regulation 34)(2)(3) 10/01/2014

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that staff working within the home know and implement the local authority and home's policy in relation to children going missing and their role in implementing that policy (NMS 5.2)  improve the recording of significant events relating to children accommodated in the home. This is with specific reference to the recording of notifications. (NMS 24)

p.4

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.

p.6

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.

p.6