Children's Home run by Social Care Services (Clayton) Limited in Manchester

Unique reference number SC381339 Inspection date 28/01/2014 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender, with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This home is operated by a private organisation.

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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 previous full inspection in April 2013, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good. Three requirements and one recommendation for improvement were set. This inspection looked at the progress made and at any other concerns raised since the last inspection. Good progress has been made since the last inspection. Since the last inspection a newly appointed manager has successfully registered with Ofsted.

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Progress

All requirements and have been met. The Registered Manager is routinely reviewing the measures of control imposed for effectiveness and noting any consequence of the measure used. This means that the Registered Manager is ensuring that the measure of control is appropriate and young people are supported to manage and reflect on their behaviour.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has implemented a clear educational ethos in the home. This means clear boundaries and expectations are in place. Services involved in the home, such as connexions, support young people to engage in post 16 education, employment or training. As a result, engagement in education has significantly improved. Young people are now routinely achieving good levels of attendance. One young person was recently awarded a certificate for 100% attendance at school. This achievement was celebrated by the staff team with the young person.

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Progress

Monitoring of the home continues to be undertaken on a regular basis. Formal systems have now been implemented to ensure young people, parents and placing authorities’ views are obtained as part of Regulation 34 monitoring.

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Progress

Despite the Registered Manager’s efforts to ensure statutory review minutes are received from the placing authority in a timely manner, they remain absent from the files. The home continues to ensure that they support young people to progress against the plans and actions, as staff record their own notes of the meetings. This means that staff act promptly on all decisions made. However, this recommendation is re-stated, as it has not been fully met.

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Progress

The décor of the home remains suitable. Young people have a clear voice in the home, through young people led house meetings. They have been involved in making decisions around the recent re-decoration of some rooms. Young people are personalising their bedrooms and say they enjoy living in the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has implemented incentive led behaviour management plans. As a result, positive behaviour is promoted and encouraged. Staff report that they feel empowered by the changes and behaviour of the young people has improved.

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Progress

The independent living programme has been developed; this has enabled young people to be more prepared when moving on from the home. One young person commented, ‘I am doing lots of life skills work getting me ready for my own place, I am getting used to living on a budget.’ Two young people have successfully moved from the home to semi-independent living, where they are thriving and remain in contact with staff and engaged in further education.

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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 result of all statutory reviews are recorded on the child's file. (NMS 25.8)

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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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