Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC061810 Inspection date 03/02/2014 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by the local authority and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys or girls. The home is registered to care for young people with emotional 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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

This home was judged to be adequate at the last full inspection on 18 October 2013 and five requirements and five recommendations were raised. All of these have been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently as a result young people have an awareness and have signed their placement plans and a new Statement of Purpose has been compiled. The home has a computer which all the young people can access to complete homework. Staff have received additional training in bullying and new systems are in place to monitor any relationships difficulties between the young people living at the home. A new safeguarding log book records any allegations made by young people against staff and what action was taken as a result. The Regulation 33 visitor has had sight of the fire log book and the manager has forwarded the Regulation 34 report to Ofsted.

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Progress

Since the last inspection a safeguarding incident within the home has highlighted numerous shortfalls within the home’s safeguarding procedures. Staff at the home have failed to protect young people following a serious incident within the home. As a result of staff's actions evidence was compromised and young people were left in a vulnerable position.

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Progress

Therefore the management of incidents with particular regard for safeguarding within the home is ineffective. This is because the home has failed to follow safeguarding procedures and inform all agencies of the serious incident within the home. Staff at the home failed to protect young people involved in the incident. As the Registered Manager became aware of the incident direct and swift action was taken to protect the young people in the home. Appropriate action has however now been taken regarding the inactions of staff.

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Progress

Young people continue to attend educational provisions on a regular basis. From their starting points, they begin to see the value of education and to achieve academically. One young person stated, 'I was not going to school before I moved to live here. The staff have really helped me to do well with my education and to see that I am capable of doing well.' Regular communication between the staff team and education providers further ensures that young people feel supported to do well.

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Progress

Young people have a range of social activities provided for them in this home. The staff team work imaginatively to ensure that young people's interests are met. Young people go on holidays with the staff, with the young people currently planning their holiday abroad this year. Young people report feeling supported and listened to by the staff. They report satisfaction at the level and type of activities they can take part in.

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Progress

Young people maintain contact with family and significant others whilst living in this home. The staff team work closely with parents/carers and the local authority to ensure that contact plans are adhered to. Young people report satisfaction in the level and type of contact they have whilst living in this home. The Registered Manager maintains regular and meaningful communication with relevant parents to ensure that they remain involved in the lives of their children. The staff team offer practical support to young people in contact arrangements. Staff take young people to contact meetings and offer them high levels of practical and emotional support throughout. The Registered Manager ensures that there are sufficient staffing on duty to support contact arrangements at all times.

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Progress

Despite the recent safeguarding incidence young people report feeling safe in this home. The Local Authority also report no concerns in relation to the safety and protection of young people placed here. Robust and regularly reviewed risk assessments further ensure that young people's holistic needs are known and met at all times. Incidents of young people going missing from care remain very low in this home. Use of electronic surveillance affords further protection for young people during the night. The Local Authority give consent for the use of such surveillance and recording of it is detailed.

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Progress

Young people feel very supported in preparing for their move to independence. Detailed work is done with young people by the staff team to ensure that they develop the necessary skills to move towards independent living. Young people feel encouraged and supported to manage their own finances, to buy their own food and meet most of their needs with minimal support.

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Progress

Young people receive appropriate support in relation to their holistic health needs. Staff support young people to attend all routine health appointments. Young people take part in regular review meetings to discuss their care needs. The Registered Manager has ensured that all relevant notifications have been sent through to Ofsted.

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Progress

The home has a detailed Statement of Purpose which has been very recently reviewed and updated by the Registered Manager. It contains detailed and relevant information, which clearly sets out what services will be provided for young people in this home.

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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 registered person prepare and implement a written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16 (1)(b)) 31/03/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) provide measures which may be necessary to protect children in the children's home following an allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16 (2)(e)) 31/03/2014

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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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