Children's Home run by Capstone Care Provider Limited in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC392712 Inspection date 20/03/2014 Inspector Judith Longden Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately-owned home provides care for up to two young people with emotional or 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

This home was judged as adequate at the last full inspection in April 2013. Since that time the manager and staff have taken robust action to address the shortfalls identified and as a result the quality of care and safety of young people has improved significantly. The home has addressed and met the two requirements and five recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Progress

The majority of shortfalls were in relation to fire safety. Staff have now attended fire safety training and their learning is enhanced by frequent discussions and reviews in team meetings. Regular health and safety checks, including fire safety checks, are completed and recorded. Fire doors are no longer wedged open and internal doors are not routinely locked. As a result, staff are aware of fire safety within the home and young people are protected. Fire drills are held weekly and any issues such as refusal to evacuate are discussed with young people in house meetings and in key work. This means staff and young people are aware of action to take in the event of a fire.

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Progress

A recommendation was made in relation to the décor and maintenance of the home. The home has a number of rooms where young people can socialise and relax, and these rooms are decorated and furnished to provide a warm and welcoming environment. Young people personalise their bedrooms and take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their rooms. This means young people live in a comfortable and homely environment that is well maintained and decorated throughout. The development plan outlines proposals to update the exterior of the house, and the garden area is currently being redeveloped to include a vegetable garden. This will encourage young people to learn new skills in gardening in support of healthy eating.

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Progress

Two recommendations were made in respect of monitoring by the manager. The manager routinely monitors the activities of the home and completes monthly records. These are used to analyse the care provided and to identify any concerns, patterns or trends. A six-monthly review of these matters is sent to HMCI as required and this means the manager can continually improve the quality of care provided. The manager is aware the reports are to be sent on a three-monthly basis in future.

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Progress

The home works closely with other agencies and professionals to reduce the risk of young people's absence from the home. The manager monitors incidents and highlights any patterns in behaviour in order to develop strategies to reduce absence. For example, one young person was often absent as a result of peer pressure and regularly stayed with friends in their semi-independent unit. Staff worked with the young person on relationships, bullying and staying safe and also linked closely with the staff from the semi-independent unit. As a result the number of absences has reduced. Any incidents of absence or missing from care are well documented. Staff record the circumstances leading to an event along with all attempts to locate and contact young people, the circumstances of their return and reasons for their absence. This ensures young people are protected as far as possible.

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Progress

Young people make very good progress in achieving positive outcomes, especially in education and leisure activities. All young people are in education. One young person has returned to school having been out of education for six months prior to coming to this home. Young people are enthusiastic to learn and one young person has attended several voluntary summer projects to enhance their education. This means young people achieve their educational potential. Young people are supported to attend community clubs and projects such as boxing, and as a result are encouraged and enabled to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection

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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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