Children's Home run by Cove Care – Residential Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC397933 Inspection date 21/03/2014 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 27/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is privately owned and offers placements for two young people who may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium- to long-term care 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

The last inspection was in November 2013 and made two requirements and three recommendations. These have been addressed. As a result, improved locks on external doors now allow quicker exit from the property in an emergency. In terms of ensuring that the standard of care is improved, the monthly visits on behalf of the provider now include greater attention to the views of stakeholders, such as social workers. Significant progress has also been made to ensuring the views of young people are recorded after an incident. In addition, greater attention is now focussed on implementing positive models of behaviour.

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Progress

In addition to addressing previous requirements and recommendation, the organisation itself is implementing ambitious changes to managers, personnel and other aspects of its provision. This is being organised well and clearly takes into account the needs of young people and staff. Routine monitoring exercises contribute well to improvements in the home. Steps are underway to ensure that such reports are as evaluative as possible. Development planning is both broad and detailed and is indicative of strong and effective leadership. The safety of young people is good. There have been very few incidents of any sort since the last inspection. There is regular liaison with other professionals, such as the police, and young people feel safe. Senior personnel ensure that relationships with neighbours are as cordial as possible; this is an ongoing consideration because of the close proximity of other cottages. Fire safety measures are satisfactory.

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Progress

Young people feel generally positive about the home and the staff. They are encouraged to express their views about daily as well as larger issues. Consultation exercises occur periodically with a wider range of stakeholders. Lessons from these exercises both here and from other of the provider's homes are incorporated into practice. Young people benefit from individual therapy from the directors as well as indirectly through the therapeutic support of staff. As a result, young people make clear progress in their education. They also benefit from positive staff role models from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The cultural and other needs of young people are met well. Young people learn a high level of independence skills. Transitions are addressed thoroughly (both admissions and discharges) but are, nevertheless, being improved further. There are clear targets in place for each young person and these

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Progress

are overseen by key workers. However, the key worker reports indicate a lack of effective planning. This means that the sessions are somewhat less productive than possible.

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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 each child's placement plan is monitored by a key worker who ensures that the requirements of the plan are implemented in the day-to-day care of that child. This is with regard to key worker meetings with young people addressing the requirements of the plan. (NMS 25.2)

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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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