Children's Home run by CASC (Barrow) Limited in Cumbria

Unique reference number SC436826 Inspection date 06/02/2014 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately-owned children's home is registered to accommodate and care for four young people. Young people accommodated at the home experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home accepts emergency placements and can offer care to young people on a short-, medium- or long- term basis.

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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

Overall, this home was judged as 'adequate' at the last full inspection on 23/05/ 2013. The two requirements and two recommendations raised have been addressed.

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Progress

The effectiveness of the use of sanctions to promote positive changes in young people's behaviour is now routinely being reviewed by staff and young people. Recorded evidence demonstrates how young people’s challenging behaviours are monitored and reviewed to inform future practice or promote good relationships and socially acceptable behaviour.

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Progress

A significant programme of redecoration and refurbishment of the home has been undertaken. Unfortunately a recent incident has resulted further damage to the fabric and furnishings. This has upset some young people who appreciate the effort that has been made to ensure the home is a comfortable, homely place to live. Young people are informed if staff feel it is necessary for a search of their rooms to be undertaken. Practice ensures young people's right to privacy is respected but that they understand that on occasions serious welfare concerns may take precedent over these rights.

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Progress

Both staff have young people have taken part in an anti bullying initiative to ensure that young people are aware of the impact bullying behaviours can have on their peers. Young people confirm bullying is no longer a significant issue in the home.

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Progress

The period since the previous inspection has been unsettled, partly due to the resignation of the previous Registered Manager. Some young people reacted very badly to what they perceived as the manager's sudden departure and understandably for a period the home became very unsettled as young people came to terms with this loss. They were well supported by the staff team and other professionals during this period.

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Progress

There have been four new admissions since the previous inspection, which have impacted on relationships within the home. An inadequate admission process fails to ensure that risk assessments reflect the impact a new admission may have on the current resident group. Assessments made of suitability of placement fail to advise whether staff have the skills and training to meet young people's identified needs. Details of young people's immediate health needs are insufficiently recorded and as a result do not show how staff will immediately respond to their needs. These issues impact on young people being able to receive good quality care that demonstrates their immediate needs have been identified and strategies put in place to address them.

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Progress

Incidents when young people's behaviours continue to cause considerable concern to a small number of local neighbours continue. The management team continues to try to resolve these issues and to rebuild positive community relationships. The local community police officer continues to monitor the effectiveness of the steps taken to address the perceived anti-social behaviour of young people and to enhance communications between all parties. He reports a decrease in the number of incidents reported to him since the previous inspection. This may indicate staff efforts are having some effect in supporting young people to be aware of the impact their behaviours have on some immediate neighbours.

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Progress

Staff work hard to motivate and engage all young people in formal programmes of education. The majority of young people are engaged in individually planned education programmes. This is a significant development from the previous inspection when young were failing to engage with their education providers. A designated education co-ordinator is very supportive of young people's education and all staff go the extra mile to overcome any barriers to them being able to fully participate.

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Progress

A new manager is in post and is in the process of making application to be registered with Ofsted. The newly appointed manager and deputy believe it is now a time for consolidation of good child care practice, as well as a time to review and revise some practices and documentation. Staff feel well supported and are committed to the young people in their care. They are fully involved in reviewing and developing the home's professional practice and are aware of the legislative changes currently being implemented. The whole staff team express a commitment to ensuring that, as well as meeting legislative requirements, the care they provide supports young people achieve to positive outcomes in all aspects of their lives. Young people spoken to feel that things have now 'settled down' and that the home is 'a good place to be living in'.

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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) promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated. In particular the home must implement a robust admission process that includes impact risk assessments of any new admission on the current resident group.(Regulation 11 (a)) 07/03/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

12A (2001) co-operate with the child's placing authority in agreeing and signing the plan for the child's placement in accordance with the provisions in regulation 9 or, as the case may be, Regulation 47C(2) of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010. A full assessment of a young person's needs and the home's ability to meet them must be made prior to admission ( Regulation 12 (A(1)) 07/03/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote and protect the physical, emotional and mental health of children accommodated in the children's home. In particular this relates to the need to obtain full written details of young people's medical history so that issues which may immediately impact on their welfare can be addresses ( Regulation 20.1) 07/03/2014

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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

 ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and the purpose of the setting (NMS 18.1)

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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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