Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025745 Inspection date 03/01/2014 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned and managed by a charitable organisation. It provides a short-breaks service for up to five young people at any one time with learning disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders. At present 39 children and young people use the service.

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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 on 29/10/13 the home was judged to be good. Progress has been made in addressing the two recommendations made at the last inspection. Physical intervention records now reflect the specific individual needs of young people. Full details demonstrate that restraint is used only as a last resort for the safety of the young people. The manager and staff are working to increase consultation with young people’s families, social workers and others involved in their care. There has been limited success despite their efforts to demonstrate that comments inform the home’s improvement agenda. This remains an area for further development so this recommendation has been repeated. Positively, regular communication with young people’s families, and reviews and meetings, ensures that young people receive consistency of care, to which they respond well. For example, the staff respond to parent’s requests to assist young people in developing skills and

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Progress

Young people staying for short breaks continue to enjoy their time in the home and make good progress. Highly individualised care planning and good communication within the staff team, means that young people gain from positive reactions to their changing individual preferences and needs. In everyday life they are given choices and are consulted about their care; staff use a range of communication methods to ensure that all young people have these opportunities. The home has recently provided an I pad to the young people, who have used it to communicate their wishes. Some young people have downloaded applications that they are familiar with, to assist their communication.

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Progress

Young people are safeguarded in the home, and robust risk assessments are updated regularly to reflect their changing needs. They contain highly detailed actions and precautions required for their safety. Specific behaviour management plans also serve to protect the young people. Young people benefit from consistency of behaviour management, which is achieved by staff working together effectively with parents, education and other services.

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Progress

Considerable progress has been made in the interests of the young people, in respect of transition to adult services. A specific worker in the home discusses the need for advanced planning with parents, and has been successful in forging positive relationships between the home, local authorities and adult providers. As a result young people have been able to visit future placements, and achieve successful transitions at a pace which they are comfortable with.

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Progress

The managers and staff group continue to focus on improving outcomes for children and young people. Where necessary they have advocated on behalf of the young people, to ensure they receive the services they need. Staff are effectively supported and have access to a range of training, which increases their skills and knowledge to the advantage of the young people. The largely stable staff team provides continuity of care to the young people. Managers have effective and robust systems for monitoring and auditing practice and records in the home.

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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

 continue to ensure that the views of young people’s families, social workers and independent reviewing officers are sought regularly and used to support continued improvement in the quality of care provided by the home. (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5 2.27)

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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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