Children's Home run by Keys Stepping Stones Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008490 Inspection date 10/03/2014 Inspector Valerie Shephard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home that is part of a large national organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behaviour 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 made good progress and 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

Young people maintain stable placements and there is evidence of overall improvement in outcomes. All are in receipt of education and enjoy a 100% attendance rate. Some young people are on a plan to re-integrate into mainstream school following improvements in their progress and behaviour. Young people’s holistic health needs continue to be met through access to primary health services and in-house therapeutic provision. Staff fully support some young people to access sexual health services where this is appropriate and in accordance with their age.

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Progress

As young people settle they begin to form friendships. Some have had friends visit their home or have visited friends’ homes for tea and occasionally an overnight stay. Achievements of these steps demonstrate an improvement in young people’s social and emotional development.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy a range of activities such as horse riding, swimming, army cadets and scouts. Some young people have part time work, for example assisting at an animal sanctuary and at a local hairdressing salon. Depending on their age and stage of development, some young people are acquiring a range of independence skills. These include keeping their bedroom tidy, attending to laundry, managing money and using public transport. These activities assist young people to develop confidence in their abilities which in turn have a positive effect on their self- esteem.

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Progress

Overall behaviour has improved as a result of the home’s use of positive management strategies. Incidents of young people being physically aggressive or causing damage in the home have reduced considerably over time. Consequently there has also been a gradual decrease in the use of physical restraint by staff. However, peaks sometimes occur following new admissions as young people test boundaries and settle down. There have been no missing from home events for six months. This indicates how effective the home is in assisting young people to settle and address their behavioural and emotional issues.

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Progress

A parent said of her child, ‘he is settling well here, staff are really good and I hope he is not going to be moved on. I know he is safe and kept safe here; he is well looked after. I have met most of the staff, they are very capable and knowledgeable and there is a good working relationship with them. I am very happy with what the home are doing for him.’

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Progress

The home benefits from strong and effective management. There is efficient monitoring of the home and evidence of good consultation with young people. The implementation of ‘Operation Sparkle’ has captured young people’s interest and imagination in improving the home’s living environment. Young people have embraced the idea of making their home sparkle by participating in decisions about new décor, furniture and equipment. As a result, young people take care of the home and its contents. By way of example, young people appreciate, enjoy and take care of the new television proudly mounted on the lounge wall. This is something that couldn’t have been possible until very recently.

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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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