Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC065679 Inspection date 20/03/2014 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a local authority children's home that provides short-term residential accommodation for five children who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The young people usually stay for no longer than 12 weeks. During this time support will be provided to either return the young person home or to assist them in moving to an appropriate long term care placement.

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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 judgement at the last full inspection in April 2013 was good. One requirement was made. Progress since the last inspection is good.

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Progress

The service has met the requirement to keep under review and, where appropriate revise the children’s guide. The manager has revised the young person’s guide. It now holds all the information required and is more user friendly for children and young people to understand. For example, the complaints procedure signposts young people to appropriate contact numbers and addresses. As a result, young people know and understand how they will be cared for, how to make complaints and who to contact.

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Progress

Young people make progress in most aspects of their lives because staff are dedicated, non-judgemental and passionate about supporting young people to move on and to improve their lives. No matter what it takes staff continue to consult, advise, encourage and praise the efforts made by young people in their care. Some young people have left the service to return home, others are aiming to leave and go on to living independently. This demonstrates that the quality of care young people receive is good. As a result, outcomes for young people improve no matter how difficult the challenges may have been.

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Progress

Staff help young people to express their views, wishes and feelings in meetings, day to day discussions and through key working sessions. This helps young people to manage their behaviour. A young person said, 'They have really helped me, I have a diary to write my feelings in; I don’t get angry and I can write things down'.

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Progress

The home has made improvements to the communal areas. New sofas have been provided that enhance the welcoming feel to the home. A young person said, 'I go and sit in the room now and sometimes if night staff are in there I go and talk to them; this helps me feel better'.

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Progress

Young people improve their health and well-being because they take responsibility for it. Young people know and understand the risks of drug abuse and other risk taking behaviour. A young person said, ‘I used to smoke weed, I haven't done this for months. I used to run away but I haven't gone missing since I was here They don't judge you. Everyone here is great, I feel safe’.

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Progress

The home keeps a register of all young people placed in the home. However, this does not record all the information required. This means records are not kept up to date. However this has not impacted on the quality of care for young people.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall maintain in the children's home the records specified in Schedule 4 and ensure they are kept up to date. (Regulation 29(1)) 31/03/2014

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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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