Children's Home run by Chances CCFSS Limited in Gloucestershire

Unique reference number SC016697 Inspection date 27/01/2014 Inspector Barbara Davies Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children's home which is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/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 good progress .

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Progress

Following the previous inspection in October 2013, the home was judged as outstanding. In the interim period the home has made good progress. The three recommendations made following the previous inspection have been addressed. As a result, outcomes for young people have improved.

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Progress

Where responsible placing officers fail to implement agreed plans within a reasonable timeframe, the home's managers have become more proactive in escalating their concerns to a senior level within the placing authority and with independent reviewing officers (IRO). Because of this, the home's managers have been successful in securing a pathway plan for a young person and an early review date for another. This has gone some way to relieving some of the anxieties felt by young people about the moves ahead.

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Progress

In response to the anxieties being expressed by young people, the home's manager has decided not to admit any more young people, despite receiving a number of referrals. This is testament to the highly individualised support that young people receive and demonstrates that the home puts the welfare of young people already resident at the very fore-front of practice.

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Progress

Young people's privacy is better promoted as staff make sure that confidential information is stored securely. Improvements have been made to the living environment as the sitting room and dining area have been re-decorated. Further improvements are included in the home's development plan.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and her deputy are aware of current changes in the Children's Homes Regulations and are implementing these. Their policies and procedures in relation to young people who go missing have been updated to be consistent with the new guidance that has recently been issued and senior managers have attended multi-agency training.

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Progress

Overall, young people remain very settled in the home although some planned changes in placement have disrupted their stability and there has been a slight increase in incidents. These incidents are well managed and young people receive both emotional and therapeutic support from staff; which helps them explore and express their feelings regarding their proposed moves.

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Progress

Most young people are progressing well in their education and vocational courses and maintain very regular attendance. For those young people excluded from education, the home works proactively with schools, the placing authority and the educational psychologist; this ensures that educational progress is maintained with the aim of reintegration to an appropriate provision in the future.

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Progress

Staff support young people in taking age appropriate risks. Older young people travel independently and meet their friends in the community. Through this they gain confidence and become more self-sufficient. Younger children are also supported to take part in organised activities, such as going to the cinema, fast-food restaurants or visit friends.

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Progress

Young people do not go missing from the home, there have been no complaints since the previous inspection and behaviour is well managed. There are few sanctions and restraints and young people respond positively to the positive recognition they receive for good behaviour.

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Progress

Any incident of restraint is well recorded with very detailed information being maintained in both the restraints record and the young person's file. However, information in the sanctions record is not, on occasions, sufficiently specific about the incident that occurred. For instance where it says 'placing self at risk, lying about whereabouts'; 'loss of holiday' or 'bed early reflective time.' Not every event provides sufficient information to provide a full understanding of what occurred. On first reading some sanctions can appear harsh when in reality this is not the case.

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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 that the sanctions record contains the full details of the event. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 2.91)

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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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