Children's Home run by Friends Therapeutic Community Trust in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC025733 Inspection date 17/02/2014 Inspector Louisa Bayley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The service is run by a charitable community trust and provides a therapeutic programme and treatment for up to 17 young men with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The service caters for a specific range of needs and ages as detailed in the Statement of Purpose.

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Brief description of the service

There are a number of semi-independent bungalows in the grounds and a separate satellite service for those who require transitional accommodation before living independently. There is a wide range of facilities including on-site education and vocational workshops to support accredited work-based learning courses.

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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

This home was judged as good overall at the full inspection in October 2013. Since the full inspection, the manager has addressed the five requirements and one recommendation raised. Additionally, he has identified and actioned further improvements that have enhanced the care for young people.

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Progress

The external monitoring now includes consultation with parents. This supports the monitoring process and enables parents to express their views about the quality of care provided in the home. The manager uses the feedback provided through this monitoring to make improvements to practice in the home. It supports the internal auditing processes, which are reflective, with good analysis of patterns and trends. The manager has updated the Statement of Purpose and submitted it to Ofsted. This helps to ensure that Ofsted has an up-to-date view of the operation and staffing of the home.

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Progress

Staff rarely use restraint and, when they do, it is as a last resort to prevent significant harm. There have been three restraints since the full inspection. The records of restraint meet the regulatory requirements and provide clear information about the incident and the action staff have taken. Staff offer young people medical attention following any incident of restraint.

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Progress

Staff fully complete records of sanctions, with reflection of the effectiveness of each sanction. This supports staff to manage behaviour in a way that is likely to reduce further incidents. Young people say staff fully consult them and consequently, young people’s views contribute to reviewing the effectiveness of sanctions.

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Progress

The manager has addressed the shortfall in recording the details of admissions and discharges for young people in the home. The recording now meets regulatory requirements and ensures that information in the home is accurate.

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Progress

Discussion with young people demonstrated they are acutely aware of the shortfalls raised at the full inspection. They are able to comment on the progress in the home because they feel fully informed. The level of transparency from the management team with the young people is impressive. It enables young people to genuinely feel that they are valued as a community.

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Progress

There has been progress in the range of educational and practical skills young people can access. Staff achieve this through the delivery of recognised qualifications both in the home and through the external providers. Young people identify this as an area of improvement and they say they appreciate the range of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills.

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Progress

Managers have consulted with professionals and parents to gain their views of the quality of care young people receive. The results of the consultation reflect that young people develop genuine, warm and supportive relationships with staff. Furthermore, the care provided in the home is pivotal in affecting positive change for young people.

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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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