Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC064735 Inspection date 06/03/2014 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/03/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's residential unit is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to six young people of either sex aged from 12 to 17 years. The home cares for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The unit can take emergency placements.

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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

At the previous full inspection on 24 October 2013 the home's overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure some good outcomes for children and young people. The home provides a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential.

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Progress

Two recommendations set at the last inspection had been addressed in full. Partnership arrangements and on-going work supports young people to make better decisions in managing their personal health and wellbeing. Young people have shown that they can make better lifestyle choices after gaining better self-awareness from smoking cessation programmes that they have attended. The process of forwarding Regulation 33 reports to Ofsted has worked well allowing each monthly report to be forwarded at the correct frequency. These reports clearly highlight the views of the young people, staff, family members and stakeholders. The reports produced following these visits continue to provide a clear snapshot in time of what it is like to live at the home. Reports clearly evaluate and analyse processes and data and this supports the home's improvement agenda. The views of stakeholders and young people are clearly being listened too and these provide ideas for continuous

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Progress

improvement at the home. New initiatives are constantly introduced as a result of effective consultation processes. The home's management team have robust plans in place to respond to amendments to the Children's Homes Regulations.

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Progress

Young people have gained a great deal of self-knowledge, self-awareness and improved self-esteem through their involvement and participation in many different events within the home and the surrounding community. Staff members, with delegated responsibilities, 'champion' many areas of work that continually enrich young people's lives. New skills gained by young people better equip them to manage their transition towards adulthood and independence. The young people remain central to everything at the home and staff work at the ideal pace suited to them.

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Progress

Young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve considerably. The peer group dynamic remains compatible at all times. Young people build strong and trusting relationships with staff. Young people also learn how to value difference and this allows minor disputes to be resolved quickly. Young people provide their full cooperation with their routines and programmes. The young people have embraced their learning opportunities especially when attending college placements. Young people’s individual education arrangements are supported very well.

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Progress

The ethos and culture at the home clearly places young people at the forefront of practice. Communication with individuals is excellent. Programmes run by key workers positively change young people’s behaviours. Young people regularly reflect on their progress with staff and this keeps them motivated. No notifications, no safeguarding concerns and no complaints were reported between inspections. Young peoples behaviours have not caused any concerns. A police missing from home protocol works well when young people occasional select to go missing from the home.

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Progress

Young people work closely with staff and hard work has created an interesting home where they like to be. It is clear that individuals prosper in the home's friendly and caring environment. Young people confirm that they are safe. The young people are relaxed and happy living at the home.

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Progress

The home appointed a new manager between inspections. An application to become registered with Ofsted had been submitted prior to this visit.

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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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