Children's Home run by Milestones Care Homes Ltd in Wirral

Unique reference number SC065780 Inspection date 21/03/2014 Inspector Sharon Lloyd Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home cares for up to three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a private limited company.

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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 home was judged good at the full inspection in December 2013. Since then, the home has made good progress in meeting the requirement and two of the recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Progress

A staff training programme is underway and the home is working with the local authority to ensure its staff are well trained in safeguarding. Staff have completed training in meeting the needs of children and young people who may be sexually exploited and in responding to child protection concerns. The staff team has revisited the home's safeguarding policy and procedure. Staff know what to do in response to an allegation or disclosure of abuse and this means they know what action to take to protect children and young people from abuse.

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Progress

The home is well-maintained and provides comfortable, homely accommodation. Renovations to the back door are complete and it now opens easily and provides a fast exit route should an emergency evacuation be necessary.

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Progress

The home has produced a child-friendly guide to the home for use with children and young people prior to placement. It provides good information that is well-presented. Although it has not yet been tested, it is ready to be adapted to meet the individual needs of a child or young person. It aims to help diffuse children and young people's anxieties and promote a smooth and positive transition to the home.

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Progress

The home's progress in meeting a recommendation to improve the quality of its six monthly monitoring reports cannot be evaluated. This report is overdue but underway. It is clear that the registered manager identifies concerns and takes action to address them. For example, he has taken robust action to address a recent safeguarding concern. This includes ensuring all children and young people in the home know how to keep themselves safe from on-line abuse.

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Progress

The home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. Improved communication with placing authorities ensures that social workers are kept well-informed about children and young people's progress.

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Progress

More frequent formal consultation with children and young people ensures that they have regular opportunities to raise their concerns and that these are captured in staff meetings and in young people's meetings. As a result, matters that are important to children and young people are addressed promptly.

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Progress

Weekly 'culture nights' provide stimulating and enjoyable opportunities where children and young people learn about other cultures and reflect on issues of equality and diversity. Children and young people demonstrate an awareness of the needs of others in society. For example, some have begun to do voluntary work to support a local hospice. This provides an opportunity to contribute positively to society. It helps young people to develop self-esteem as well as social and work-place skills in preparation for future independent living.

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Progress

Children and young people's physical and mental health needs continue to be well met. The home has taken steps to ensure they receive treatment that promotes their good health. This includes specialist interventions in a range of health matters. As a consequence, children and young people's health outcomes continue to improve.

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Progress

The home supports children and young people's education well. It works collaboratively with schools to ensure children and young people know what is expected of them and achieve their potential. Children and young people continue to have full attendance at school. They complete homework regularly and their predicted grades continue to improve. Matters of concern that arise in school are quickly addressed and the home promotes good engagement with education.

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Progress

The home takes action to improve the levels of contact between children and young people and their families, in accordance with their best interests. This is done through close liaison with placing authorities and others. As a result, children and young people are happy with contact arrangements. This promotes their emotional well-being.

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Progress

Children and young people say they are listened to and their views are taken into account. They understand and accept the reasons why the home does not always meet their requests. They feel well cared for and safe in the home. Staff take prompt action to protect them from potential harm. They work closely with the police and safeguarding authorities to ensure this.

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Progress

Recent provider monitoring reports have not been forwarded to HMCI as required. This impedes the regulator from maintaining an overview of the on-going quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. In addition, there has been delay in notifying HMCI of a serious incident. This prevents the regulator from completing a timely assessment of the home's response to safeguarding concerns. These shortfalls have not impacted on the quality of care or outcomes for children.

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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

 notify the appropriate people listed in Schedule 5 of Regulation 30 without delay if any notifiable event takes place (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 2.76  ensure that a report on the quality of care is completed at six monthly intervals and a copy of each report is sent to HMCI within 28 days of completion (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 3.14)  ensure that written reports on the conduct of the home are made available to HMCI after any visit made in accordance with Regulation 33. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 3.13)

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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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