Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire East

Unique reference number SC060590 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, run by a private company, is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is also registered as a school and provides education on the premises.

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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 3 July 2013, the home was judged to be good. Young people have made significant progress in many areas of their lives, including in education, which was the one recommendation from the last inspection. All have appropriate placements, and are attending and enjoying school or college. Staff continue to promote education and encourage young people to look at learning options, and opportunities in the community.

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Progress

Young people benefit from consistency and continuity of care provided by a skilled and largely stable staff group. Their social workers have commented on the ‘great improvements’ they have made, and are positive about how the staff work with them, to the benefit of the young people. The staff know the young people well and are successful in engaging them in pieces of work, to help them progress.

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Progress

Highly personalised and comprehensive care planning ensures that they enjoy good physical and emotional health, and receive the services they need. They benefit from staff being persistent in pursuing appointments for specialist services that they need, and encouraging them to attend. Independence skills’ planning ensures young people make age appropriate progress. As they grow older, the focus on developing living skills increases, preparing young people for life after leaving care. They enjoy a wide range of activities, in line with their wishes and abilities and are supported to make friends. Appropriate contact with family members is promoted, and managed, sometimes over long distances, to make visits enjoyable experiences for the young people.

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Progress

There is a strong focus on the safety of young people which ensures they are protected as far as possible. Detailed risk assessments and risk management plans inform staff practice. Young people’s need for free time and independence is well balanced with their safety. In addition, effective working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals, including health services and the police, further protect the young people. Those who engage in risky behaviours have been well supported to reduce these behaviours, including missing from care.

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Progress

Young people report good relationships with staff, and respond well to a positive behaviour management approach. This helps them to understand and take responsibility for their own behaviours, within a supportive and nurturing environment. Young people are encouraged with rewards and incentives, which are used more regularly than sanctions. Physical interventions are used rarely, and only as a last resort for safety reasons. Any incidents are discussed with the young people afterwards, to ensure they understand why restraint was necessary.

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Progress

Young people express their wishes and feelings as part of everyday life, and make appropriate choices, including their diet, activities and goals for the reward system. In addition, they are consulted in house meetings and in individual sessions. Young people’s rights are well promoted in the home. They are encouraged to contribute to their plans and to records, and they sign and add their comments regularly. They know how to make complaints, and these have been fully addressed by the manager, who talks with them about the outcomes and keeps them informed throughout.

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Progress

The manager and deputy continue to provide effective leadership and support to the staff group who are committed to providing good quality care, and enthusiastic about continued improvement. They have regular supervision and training to better equip them to meet the needs of the young people. Practice in the home is robustly monitored by the manager and monitoring visitors.

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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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