Children's Home run by Dalepeak Limited in Oldham

Unique reference number SC005553 Inspection date 19/02/2014 Inspector Valerie Shephard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by a private organisation and provides care and accommodation for up to seven 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

This interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since the last inspection when the overall judgement was outstanding. The home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. No requirements or recommendations for improvement were made at the previous inspection.

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Progress

A large majority of the young people remain in stable placements and are making good progress in all areas of their development. For some young people a change of school has been an extremely positive experience resulting in better engagement and improved behaviour. For others, plans are on track to ensure they are ready for transition from the home during the next few months. Where appropriate, young people have contact with their families which helps them to maintain established relationships and connections. This helps them to feel a sense of belonging and consequently develop a positive self-view.

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Progress

Overall, young people do not go missing from the home. However, there is sometimes a rise in the number of missing events following a new admission or specific triggers for young people. Staff take appropriate steps to ensure young people’s safety and prompt return if they go missing. The home maintains good links with agencies who work with young people whose behaviour puts them at risk. These working relationships are generally very effective in addressing missing from home events and helping young people deal with risky behaviour. Where they are unable to keep a young person safe, the home works cooperatively with the placing authority to achieve an alternative placement. In such situations, the aim is to facilitate a planned move to ensure good outcomes for the young person.

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Progress

Observations of interactions in the home demonstrate positive relationships between young people and staff. Young people are able to name particular staff they feel they have a bond with. Young people say they like living in the home, feel safe and there is no bullying. Where young people have experienced bullying outside the home, staff work effectively with relevant agencies to resolve the issue. As a result, young people develop trust in staff that they will act to resolve these difficulties on their behalf.

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Progress

Young people contribute their views in relation to the running of the home via their individual keyworker sessions and house meetings. There is effective consultation with parents, social workers and others to obtain their views about the home’s operations. The home achieves this through the provision of a monthly report on each young person’s progress and achievements. Parents and placing authorities are invited to comment or feedback their views on the home’s delivery of care. These measures help to ensure that care planning is central to the home’s operations.

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Progress

The manager demonstrates strong leadership in the home. He keeps up to date with new legislation and shares with staff significant changes which may affect their care of young people. There is efficient monitoring of the home to continually drive forward improvement. For example, there is good evaluation of measures used to manage young people’s behaviour. This helps to ensure that young people learn effectively from making poor choices regarding their behaviour. There has been the provision of additional training for staff on attachment issues. This assists them to gain a better understanding of the emotional needs of young people and how to effectively care for them.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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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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