Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC034158 Inspection date 14/03/2014 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 22/10/2013 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

The children's home provides short-break care for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The local authority owns and operates this setting.

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 full inspection in October 2013, the overall effectiveness rating was judged as good. There was no requirement made at this inspection. The home has addressed the two recommendations since this visit.

p.3

Progress

The home evidenced continuing improvement in the quality of care provided with a drive towards achieving positive outcomes for young people and include consulting young people and significant people in their lives, addressing recommendations, supporting young people to progress in their placement, maintaining well-organised care planning system and addressing actions identified through internal monitoring.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff team have worked hard to support young people’s care needs. This means young people are receiving care in a consistent and supportive manner. The manager and staff team maintain effective systems of recording and monitoring. This enables the experienced team to adapt to changes well. Young people have continued to progress in recent months and continue to engage and access education provision. The home effectively liaises with a range of specialist education provision that is tailored to each young person’s needs. Young people have been supported to develop their engagement with education with encouraging outcomes. Staff were seen to be relaxed, friendly and supportive towards young people in their care. Strong relationships between young people and staff were apparent and young people confirm this. Staff are clear on expectations and communicate boundaries clearly to young people and if something

p.3

Progress

they want is not achievable or inappropriate, staff explain why.

p.4

Progress

Young people are routinely consulted and their views sought. Young people stated that they feel secure and supported by their key worker and like coming to the home. Regular consultation is carried out through discussions and time spent with key members of staff. Young people confirmed that they feel involved in decision making about what activities they would like to do for example, mountain biking.

p.4

Progress

The manager has a detailed and comprehensive care planning system in place, including risk assessing the proximity of the home and how this may impact on young people’s changing needs. The home’s ability to identify changes has been identified by the manager who picks up on emerging trends through effective incident reporting system including regulatory monitoring. Monthly monitoring visits have been carried out as appropriate and these reports have been sent to Ofsted in a timely manner, an improvement from the last inspection. The manager has made steps to address staffing levels and the team is currently at full complement. This ensures the stability of the home and care provided to young people. Young people’s risk assessments have been updated as appropriate. This means young people are cared for by an observant staff team. The manager has implemented clearer procedures compatible with the Runaway and Missing from Home and Care

p.4

Progress

protocols. This enables the team to follow correct procedures and document appropriately should this arise. Staff spoken with say they feel well supported and receive regular supervision including the manager. Staff maintain their mandatory training knowledge through e-learning and these are largely up to date. The manager has taken steps to research specialist training for the staff team.

p.4

Progress

The manager and staff team have young people’s well-being at the centre of what they do. Young people are well supported to learn about and negotiate life changes with the care and support from the staff team.

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.5

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.5