Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC454838 Inspection date 19/03/2014 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a large private company and may provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties; it is located in a rural area. It also offers therapeutic input and education at an introductory level. The home is privately owned by an established organisation.

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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

The last inspection in October 2013 was the first since registration and concluded that the service was operating at a good standard. One requirement and three recommendations were made, which have all been addressed. Improvements have been made to ensure that monitoring exercises evaluate patterns and trends and consolidation of this is underway. These processes are currently under further review because of changes in regulations. Also in line with regulatory changes, the manager has initiated a system for checking the local environment regularly for any risks to young people. Good progress has been made to educate staff and young people more thoroughly during fire drills. As a result all staff and young people are familiar with the different exits and are well versed in reacting to emergencies. Other types of staff training that occur in the home are now recorded more clearly. This allows accurate assessment of the development of staff. No further requirements or

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Progress

The home usually keeps each young person for between six and eight months. This means there is a regular turnover of young people who often have complicated behavioural needs. Nevertheless, the staff team has significantly reduced the amount of challenging behaviours of all sorts to a low level, including the number of incidents of young people going missing. This is a significant improvement from the last inspection and has contributed to allaying the concerns of neighbours. Very few complaints have been received since the last inspection and none have been substantiated. Behaviour management strategies focus very clearly on encouraging and rewarding positive behaviour. Young people are routinely praised for their efforts as well as their achievements. The staff contribute to this by providing clear and enthusiastic leadership to young people. Young people are fully occupied in education and other productive activities but also have time to relax. Very few

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Progress

physical interventions occur. As a result, young people think highly of staff and are extremely positive about the home; several said they could not think of any ways it could improve. One young person said, 'They have stopped me being in jail.' Comments from visiting professionals include, 'positive support from staff', 'very constructive input to reviews', and 'fantastic support of young people'.

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Progress

The development plan for the service is reviewed regularly as part of the manager's routine monitoring. This means that it is not a stand-alone activity but is effectively integrated into practice. The manager has successfully created a culture in which young people feel safe. It is based on positive regard for each young person, including the careful use of banter. They are consulted about many aspects of the service and know that their views make a difference, for example to staff recruitment and to the decoration of the home. One young person recently decorated his own room, with support. Improvements to the property are ongoing and the grounds and outbuildings provide ample opportunities for implementing the ideas that are being considered. The manager is also increasing the skills of the team via training both on and off site. In addition, staff now receive individual supervision from the therapist

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Progress

so they provide a better service to young people. This is in addition to the supervision by their line managers and contributes to the aim of the service to provide a therapeutic environment for young people. A substantial contribution to the development of the service and continuity of care is the lack of staff turnover. Senior staff in particular are keen to improve the service as much as possible and demonstrate the capacity and energy to do so.

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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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