Children's Home run by Pear Tree Projects Limited in Durham

Unique reference number SC007608 Inspection date 12/02/2014 Inspector Bill Drumm 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

The home accommodates up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is provided 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 last inspection in October 2013, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was good. The home has made good progress since the last inspection and the young people living there remain well-cared for and safe. Young people seen at the time of the inspection were cheerful, relaxed and confident in speaking to staff and visitors. They were also very excited about attending a birthday party.

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Progress

Five recommendations were made at the last inspection and all have been fully met. Two recommendations were made in relation to each young person’s placement plan. Specifically that all young people can understand, within the limits of their level of understanding, the purpose and content of their plans and the reasons behind and decisions about their care. Key-workers should also monitor the placement plans to ensure the needs of the young people are met in their day-to-day care.

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Progress

The home’s manager has spent time with each young person and their key-worker and all placement plans have been reviewed. Young people have designed their own placement plan files in a style of their own choosing, the covers of which are decorated with pictures and photographs of their favourite people and favourite things. Placement plans are now written in plain English and the aims of the plan have been broken down into simple achievable steps. Key-workers and young people review the plans on a monthly basis. Young people receive on-going encouragement and praise for their achievements and once a target has been reached the key- worker and the young person agree the next. This helps to ensure young people know how decisions about their care are made, what they have to do to make continued progress and that they are fully involved in their own care.

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Progress

The third recommendation was to ensure that where there has been a physical restraint young people are always given the opportunity to be examined by a nurse or doctor. The documentation used within the home for recording the use of restraint has been amended to ensure this information is now recorded. The home’s manager has also reiterated with staff how important it is for them to ensure young people are offered the opportunity for medical attention following a restraint. This helps to keep young people safe and promotes their welfare.

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Progress

The fourth recommendation was to ensure that staff at the home know and implement the home’s and local authority policy in relation to young people who go missing. The home’s manager has discussed this individually with staff members during supervision as well as in team meetings. Staff are fully aware of what their responsibilities are and what action they must take if a young person is missing from home. This will ensure young people are safeguarded and kept safe.

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Progress

The final recommendation was to ensure that the home has a written development plan in place, which is reviewed annually. The home’s manager has written a development plan for the home which includes specific timescales for review at a maximum of three month intervals. This helps to ensure the home makes continued progress.

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Progress

Additionally, the home has made further progress in a number of areas. Young people have decided to host a fundraising garden party later in the year. Friends, relatives and local neighbours will be invited and all the proceeds will go to a national charity for cancer care. This helps young people to feel valued, improves their self- confidence and increases their social awareness. Young people have also made improvements academically with improved performance being noted in recent tests. Staff encourage young people to have a positive attitude toward achievement and learning. They are actively supported to explore the world around them, to try new things and to have aspirations for their future. This helps young people to achieve their maximum potential. Young people also have their own pet rabbits or guinea pigs. They are encouraged to take full responsibility for their welfare and to ensure their safety. This helps young people to develop a sense of responsibility and

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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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