Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC035428 Inspection date 28/01/2014 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 15/08/2013 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 is a children's home operated by a local authority. The service offers short-term care breaks for up to four children and young people with physical disabilities, young people with learning disabilities and young people with sensory impairment.

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 good progress .

p.3

Progress

At the previous inspection on 15 August 2013 the home's overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure some excellent outcomes for children and young people. The primary aim of the service, to provide short breaks, is managed very well. Young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve considerably. It is clear that individuals prosper in the home's friendly and caring environment.

p.3

Progress

More young people successfully moved to adult services in line with their transition plans. These young people acquired lots of useful skills to facilitate their move. An 'outreach' service is supported by staff from the home to ensure young people are fully supported when they move to adult services. Young people settle into their new environments a lot quicker with 'familiar' faces around them. The home provides a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to children and young people developing their potential. Staff at this children's home clearly go above and beyond in terms of the support that they continuously provide for young people and their families. Two recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed in full and this led to further improvements and enhancements to the home's operation. The young people receive highly focussed individual care from a confident and vastly

p.3

Progress

experienced staff team. At the last inspection young people’s placements had been further enhanced through access to a 'Gateway Awards Scheme'. This scheme sets some very challenging targets through extra participation in events in the surrounding community. The young people enrolled on this scheme had been successful in meeting their challenges in completing their awards. A formal awards night is planned to celebrate each young person’s achievement. Photographic evidence shows the amount of enjoyment the young people gained from the stimulating events experienced and these helped to develop young people’s skills for life. The partnership arrangements with a local academy school in supporting the delivery of the awards programme was extremely successful. The children have excellent peer social interaction through strong community links. Effective planning had already seen the next cohort of young people enrolled. The level of excitement

p.4

Progress

this scheme creates for the children and young people is fantastic. All the young people irrespective of their disability can participate after plans and risk assessments are agreed.

p.4

Progress

There were no significant events linked to notifications between inspections. An outcome statement for a previous notification dating back to December 2012 was communicated to Ofsted following a robust investigation. There are no safeguarding concerns affecting the service. No complaints were received about the service.

p.4

Progress

Consultation processes are effective and new ways of seeking views continue to be introduced. The young people, their family members and a wide range of partners contribute to the development of the service. Monitoring and controlling the activities of the home through internal and external measures is well established. Ofsted receives quality assurance monitoring reports at the required frequency. There are many comments showing high levels of satisfaction with the home's operation and management. A good example is the response taken by staff and management in supporting the very specific health needs of one young person who had been in hospital for a significant period of time. The home's management responded to the challenges created by changes to the young person’s presenting health needs. Staff attended training and a specific plan was developed with parents and health professionals to allow continuing access to short breaks at the home. There is on-

p.4

Progress

going consultation regarding future proposals following the local authority review of residential services for children with a disability. Parents are aware that the home will move at some point in the future.

p.4

Progress

The peer group dynamic remains compatible at all times. Young people build strong and trusting relationships with both their peers and staff. The ethos and culture at the home clearly places young people at the forefront of practice. This home is extremely stable. No issues of concern affected its operation between inspections.

p.4

Progress

Records provide a detailed overview of the work that is taking place at the home. Regulation 33 reports provide excellent detail showing how staff practice in securing positive outcomes for children. It is clear that individuals prosper in the home's friendly and caring environment. New ideas and initiatives are constantly being introduced and the home's management team uses the available information to support continuous improvement.

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