Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC020545 Inspection date 28/02/2014 Inspector Mark Ryder Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and the organisation operates other children’s homes in the area.

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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

At the last inspection, in November 2013, the home was judged as good. Three requirements and one recommendation were made. The outcome of this interim inspection is that all previous requirements and the recommendation have been met.

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Progress

There has been progress for young people since the last inspection. Education continues to play a significant part of young people's lives. The staff strongly support young people to attend education and achieve their potential. The outcome is that all young people attend school and are committed to doing well.

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Progress

Young people comment that they feel valued and that they feel and are safe. They say the staff are kind, caring and supportive. The staff nurture young people and provide clear boundaries that young people accept. Young people's behaviour is suitably managed to protect themselves from harm. Staff have received training in the safe use of physical restraint as well as de-escalating challenging behaviour. Records provide concise information as to the reasons for each restraint and the opportunity to debrief. The use of sanctions are reasonable, proportionate and realistic. Young people are able to discuss their behaviour and the impact on them and others afterwards. Such records are regularly monitored and evaluated by senior staff.

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Progress

All documents that are required to be in kept within the home are available. For example, the staffing rota is complete and reflects the staff's hours actually worked. This is an improvement since the last inspection

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Progress

Risk assessments refer to the potential or actual behaviour of young people and how to reduce the level of risk in a number of situations. The assessments contribute to the overall management and care of young people. However, bolts used in the young people's bathroom have not been appropriately risk assessed in relation to historical self harming behaviour. Whilst there is no impact on the safety of young people, the potential for this has yet to be formally assessed.

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Progress

The staff provide young people with a range of support networks to help and educate them on, for example, the risks in taking illegal drugs and consuming alcohol. This has worked well with no reported incidents over the last 11 months. Incidents that require notification to the relevant authorities are done so appropriately. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

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Progress

The home is in a satisfactory state of decoration. The home has been refurbished and is in the process of repairing the kitchen roof. Young people's bedrooms are all personalised to individual taste. The installation of a new bathroom suite and a full re-decoration of one of the bedrooms have improved much of the home since the last inspection. However, flaking paint next to food preparation areas within the kitchen area has the potential to contaminate food. Additionally a broken window has not been repaired or boarded up promptly to prevent reinforced glass splinters from falling within the young people's bathroom. There is, therefore, potential risk to health.

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Progress

The leaders and manager's have a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses of this home and use a detailed development plan to improve the service further. Feedback from young people, parents and social workers all contribute to the development of this home.

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Progress

As a result of this inspection one requirement and one recommendation have been made.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health or safety. (Regulation 23 (a)) 14/03/2014

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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 the home implements a proportionate approach to any risk assessment. (NMS 4.5)

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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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