Children's Home run by Lifetime Opportunities Limited in Oldham

Unique reference number SC356817 Inspection date 18/03/2014 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately operated and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have learning disabilities.

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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 last full inspection of this service, the judgement for overall effectiveness was good. At this interim inspection, the home is judged to have made good progress.

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Progress

Two requirements relating to management monitoring reports were made at the previous inspection. These are both met. The home is visited regularly by an independent visitor who provides the organisation with a detailed report on how young people are cared for and the progress they are making. A copy of all these reports has been sent to Ofsted. The manager also monitors care in the home on a regular basis and completes a report of her findings. Young people are consulted about their care and surveys are sent out to relatives and professionals. The information that is gathered as a result of the consultation is used to inform practice and to drive improvements.

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Progress

Three recommendations were also made at the previous inspection. Two of these are met. Since the last inspection, the organisation has recruited additional care workers and there is a team of permanent staff working in the home. This supports continuity of care for young people. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and updated and includes details of the staffing arrangements. This ensures that professionals and families have up-to-date information about how young people are looked after.

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Progress

One recommendation has not been met. Placing authorities have not yet developed clear pathway plans for the young people who are 'eligible'. The young people who live in this home have very complex needs and will require care and support from adult services when they leave the children's home. Pathway plans are essential to confirm the arrangements that will be put in place for young people when they leave care. The manager understands the importance of starting planning at an early stage to ensure that young people feel properly supported during transition. She has raised the issue of pathway plans with social workers and is continuing to press for them. The manager and staff ensure that young people prepare for adult life by helping them to develop the practical and social skills they will need. This is achieved at a pace that is appropriate to their specific and complex needs.

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Progress

Young people are happy and settled in the home and they make good progress in all areas of their lives. They are cared for safely in the home itself and supported to stay safe in the community. There is no bullying and young people generally behave well towards one another and staff. Young people are supported to have a healthy lifestyle. They have a good daily routine and eat well. They enjoy taking part in a range of activities that promote their general development. Young people attend school very regularly and consequently they are reaching their individual education targets.

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Progress

Young people benefit from being looked after by a team of competent staff. Staff communicate very effectively to ensure that they are consistent in their work with young people. They are knowledgeable about the young people they look after and have a very positive view of them. They respect young people as individuals and make sure that the care they give them is tailored to meet their specific needs. Staff report that they are well supported by their manager and that morale in the team is good.

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Progress

The home is well managed. The manager is very experienced in working with young people with complex needs. She provides good support and leadership to the staff team. She monitors the progress that young people make very closely and works effectively with other agencies to ensure that young people have access to any resources they may need to promote their well-being.

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Progress

One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to young people's pathway plans.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that all 'eligible' young people have a pathway plan. (NMS 12.2 and Volume 5, statutory guidance paragraph 2.135)

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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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