Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008487 Inspection date 13/02/2014 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of a number of children's homes owned by a private company. The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people, who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and learning 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of the service was judged to be good at the last full inspection in June 2013. Since that time, the home has made satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The recommendation that was made at the last inspection is met. Young people who are 'eligible' have a pathway plan that identifies their current skills and those they need to develop as they prepare for future independence. Staff have contributed fully to pathway plans. Young people report that they are learning life skills in the home. For example, they learn how to budget, how to plan and cook their meals and how to take care of their own rooms and their laundry. Pathway plans identify the arrangements that are in place for young people when they leave care, so young people understand the support that will be available to them.

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Progress

Young people have made steady progress in many areas of their lives. Their behaviour has improved over time and there have been very few incidents of young people going missing from the home. Young people are generally healthy. They attend routine appointments with primary health care services. This ensures that their health is monitored. They eat healthily and are encouraged to exercise. Young people who smoke or who use substances are actively encouraged to stop. As a result of the way they are cared for, young people who have lived in the home for some time, have engaged well with staff and have developed positive relationships with them. This has supported their general progress. Young people who have recently moved into the home are settling in very well. Young people themselves report that they are safe and get on well with staff. One young person commented 'it's good here. Staff are helpful.'

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Progress

Staff have continued to actively promote the value of education encouraging all young people to attend school or college every day. Some young people attend very regularly and are therefore able to make progress towards meeting their individual targets. Other young people have completed their compulsory education and have gained qualifications. Staff have subsequently supported them to identify college placements and also helped them to apply for work if they expressed a preference for this. However, young people have not engaged consistently with the further education, training and employment opportunities that are available to them. This may affect their chances in later life.

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Progress

Young people have benefitted from being looked after by a consistent team of staff. Care staff are competent. They are qualified and have good training opportunities. This enables them to develop and maintain their knowledge and skills. Staff are supported very well by their manager through regular formal supervision and informal discussion. This helps them in their work with young people. Staff communicate effectively with one another and are consistent in their approach to young people. This helps to ensure the safety and well-being of young people.

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Progress

The home continues to be managed effectively. The manager regularly monitors the care that is given to young people and the progress they make. He takes prompt action to address any issue that is identified during this process in order to improve the quality of the service that is given to young people.

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Progress

One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to young people's further education and training.

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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 where young people no longer receive compulsory full time education, they participate in further education, training or employment. (NMS 8.9)

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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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