Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039683 Inspection date 24/02/2014 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that local authority.

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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

The overall rating given following the previous inspection was outstanding. Since then the home has continued to move forward and has made good progress. For example, following a specific incident, the manager was quick to respond by organising specialist training for staff. The home has also been pro-active in recognising and taking steps to meet the new demands and expectations generated by recent changes to regulation.

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Progress

Despite the short time between this and the previous full inspection, staff have continued to review and revise their practice to ensure it meets the needs of those young people currently placed. For example, there have been no serious behaviour management issues taking place, despite the admission of a young person with a long history of disruptive and challenging behaviour in previous placements. This demonstrates how the home has continued to improve the quality of care being given to young people.

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Progress

The home retains its excellent working partnerships with external services charged with keeping young people safe. As a result, young people are provided with a co- ordinated, multi-agency response should they go missing or be involved in any safeguarding issues. These arrangements protect young people and have contributed effectively to minimising the number of incidents that do occur.

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Progress

Young people are at different stages of their journey through the home. However, they settle quickly and form strong attachments and relationships with a stable and experienced staff group. Young people are well settled, with their individual needs clearly identified. Placements are stable, with serious behaviour management incidents within the home, being a rare occurrence. Young people buy into the structure, culture and ethos of the home, resulting in them enjoying improved social, emotional and educational outcomes.

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Progress

Difficulties, challenges and unrest are worked through patiently, sensitively and supportively. Young people recognise and appreciate this, speaking well about their experience of living in the home and the staff who care for them. This promotes trust and gives young people insight into alternative lifestyles, opening the doors to positive experiences which assist them to grow and mature. As a result, young people are able to make more informed decisions about themselves and their futures.

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Progress

Young people are well informed and consulted about their future plans, giving them a feeling of worth, a sense of direction and personal goals to aim for. They confirm their views and opinions are regularly sought and taken account of regarding life in the home and when planning for their own future. For example, one young person spoke in some detail about their previous, negative lifestyle before admission and how their view of the future have become more positive as they settle and feel more secure. This has led to a change of attitude and behaviour, with the young person taking more responsibility and thinking more constructively about their own future.

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Progress

The home is well organised and managed. Staff work flexibly to meet the current needs of young people effectively. Managers and staff are child-focussed. They actively enjoy the company of young people who respond well to this approach. This is a contributing factor towards the positive, lively, energetic atmosphere generated around the home. Young people confirm they can bring issues and concerns to the attention of staff in the knowledge and expectation they will be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.

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Progress

At the previous inspection, one recommendation was made. This has been fully addressed resulting in young people having improved information available to them in the young person's guide. Since then the home has made good progress, with the standard of care continuing to improve. Feedback received from all young people is consistently good. The home whilst lively, is settled and young people are experiencing positive outcomes in all areas of their lives. No new recommendations have been made.

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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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