Children's Home run by MGM Care Services Ltd in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC438427 Inspection date 06/03/2014 Inspector Julian Parker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 14/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

Sunningdale Cottage is a small private children's home looking after up to 2 young people aged from 10 to 17 years, who may have learning disabilities or emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

At the homes last full inspection in November 2013, the overall rating for the service was judged as good. One requirement and two recommendations were made. Since the inspection this service continues to make improvements. The service is making good progress. One requirement is made by this interim inspection relating to the young person’s guide to the home.

p.3

Progress

Young people continue to receive a good service that enables them to attain positive outcomes. Young people make progress because their clearly identified individual needs receive the bespoke care required to enable these to be addressed. Staff meet needs in a sensitive manner that encourages achievement and nurtures trusting relationships. Some young people have difficulty with communication, however, they are able to confidently express through their actions, behaviour and improving levels of compliance that they appreciate and benefit from the high quality of care they receive. The homes records indicate significant progress evidenced by reductions in the frequency and incidence of challenging behaviour.

p.3

Progress

With staff help young people regularly access and improve educational achievement by maintaining their placements in specialist schools and college. Excellent communication between education providers and care staff at the home reinforces positive behaviour and maintains high attendance and good attainment levels. Young people actively enjoy their living environment and respond positively when engaging with the broad variety of activities on offer both indoors and outside of the home in the wider community. In house facilities include access to computers, a games room and child friendly garden including pet chickens. These interests help keep young people meaningfully occupied. Staff are supportive by helping young people participate in stimulating recreational interests such as golf and swimming and regular visits to places of interest such as the open air museum. An individualised journal helps young people record their activities.

p.3

Progress

Staff provide young people with clear, consistent behavioural expectations and boundaries, supported by specific risk assessments, helping them to exercise and practice sociable behaviour in a range of settings. Staff practice promotes each individual child’s identity and respects difference and equality. Staff remain pro-active in supporting parents contact arrangements both inside and outside of the home.

p.4

Progress

Since the last full inspection the home’s registered manager has continued introducing developments across all aspects of practice which has resulted in slow but steady improvements in practice. On-going home maintenance ensures that young people continue to live in clean, homely and well personalised accommodation that effectively underpins young people’s feeling of emotional security. Rooms are homely and personalised to reflect ownership and interests.

p.4

Progress

Placement quality has benefited by the development of staffing stability and training.

p.4

Progress

Effective monitoring systems both in the home, through an amended regulation 34 format and the managers monthly regulation 33 report upon the quality and effectiveness of the care currently provided. Improvements to in-house management systems including a revision to the homes Statement of Purpose and an updated young person’s guide, accurately informs current and prospective stakeholders about the service provided, however, further detail about contacting Ofsted have yet to be included in the guide. This minor administrative shortfall does not detract from the overall improvement in the quality of care provided for young people.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

4 produce a guide to the children’s home, known as the 04/04/2014 (2001) children's guide, which shall include the address and telephone number of the HMCI. (Regulation 4 (3)( c))

p.4

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.

p.6

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.

p.6