Children's Home run by Woodside House Care Ltd in Blackburn with Darwen

Unique reference number SC357455 Inspection date 20/03/2014 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is a private children's home owned and managed by a family partnership. It is registered to provide accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural 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

The overall rating given following the previous inspection was outstanding. Since then the home has continued to make good progress. For example, all young people are now active members of the local children in care council which gives them insight into their rights as young people in care and the ability to work with others less well off than themselves. Staff and some young people have also attended training linked to planning for young people leaving care. This has raised young people's awareness and given them a clearer focus when contributing towards their own leaving care plans.

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Progress

Young people are at different points of their journey through the home but they are all settled in stable, long-term placements. They respond positively to the structures and boundaries in place which give them a feeling of safety and security. This contributes effectively towards young people leading ordered and socially accepted lifestyles. As a result, young people are not placing themselves at risk through their own actions.

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Progress

The home has maintained its excellent working partnerships with external services charged with keeping young people safe. Although these have not been tested since the previous inspection, systems are in place to ensure young people are provided with a co-ordinated, multi-agency response to any safeguarding issues, including missing from home. These arrangements contribute positively towards ensuring the safety of young people.

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Progress

Young people are well settled and those who have been there for a prolonged period regard it as their home. Although many young people have deep-rooted issues, serious behaviour management incidents are extremely rare. Any difficulties, challenges and unrest are worked through sensitively and supportively in a non- punitive environment.

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Progress

Young people recognise and appreciate this and speak positively about their experience of living in the home and about the staff who care for them. The strong and trusting relationships developed between young people and staff reflect the ethos and culture of the home which is based on the family group concept. Young people are supported to work their way through times of difficulty, in a non- judgemental way, which results in them enjoying improved social, emotional and educational outcomes.

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Progress

Young people are well informed and consulted about their future plans which gives them a feeling of worth, a sense of direction and personal goals to aim for. They confirm that their views and opinions about life in the home are regularly sought and taken account of when planning for their futures. For example, one young person described how recently they were encouraged and supported to take an active role in the recruitment of staff who will be involved with them in their future placement. This has helped the young person prepare positively for their transition, enabling them to approach the future with greater confidence and insight.

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Progress

The home is well organised and managed. On entry, visitors are welcomed into a homely, cosy and relaxed environment where staff and young people actively enjoy each other's company. Collectively, they create a positive, lively, energetic atmosphere. Young people confirm they can bring issues and concerns to the attention of staff confident in the knowledge and expectation that they will be taken seriously and addressed positively.

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Progress

At the previous inspection, no requirements or recommendations were made. Since then the standard of care has continued to improve. Feedback received from all young people is consistently good. The home is settled and young people are experiencing positive outcomes in all areas of their lives. No new recommendations have been made.

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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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