Children's Home run by Thunderbolt Mobile Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC055153 Inspection date 21/03/2014 Inspector Mark Kersh Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 14/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This service is owned by a private organisation. It provides activity-based intervention for young people who are experiencing a period of difficulty or crisis. Up to three individual placements for young people are provided. Placements are usually short term and are activity based.

p.3

Brief description of the service

A planned yet flexible programme designed to meet a young person's individual needs and circumstances is agreed with placing authorities. Young people are cared for at various locations around the United Kingdom in accommodation that includes bunkhouses, youth hostels, campsites, narrow boat and an ocean-going yacht.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection this service was judged as adequate. There were two requirements set at the previous inspection, both were linked to the internal monitoring system. As a result the Registered Manager has improved this system and ensures regular internal monitoring takes place with a report being sent to Ofsted within the set timeframe. This enables the identification of any trends and issues and how these have been addressed. The reports provide the regulator with a clear picture of previous events and how action has been taken to resolve issues.

p.3

Progress

There were four recommendations set at the previous inspection of which three have been met. These were in relation to training records, staff annual appraisals and keeping mandatory guidance as well as general health and safety information at each of the mobile settings used. There is a system in place to show the quality of training undertaken by staff and when any training needs refreshing. This makes sure that staff are up to date with relevant information and that they acquire the necessary skills to look after young people. Staff appraisals are currently underway to identify areas of professional development and this gives staff an opportunity to reflect on their previous work. Each setting now has a portable file which contains all of the necessary documentation to enable staff to deliver a service to the young people they look after.

p.3

Progress

The fourth recommendation in relation to staffing has been carried over following this inspection. The Registered Manager has, as part of the organisations development, requested a deputy manager be appointed. This has now been implemented and allows better delegation of work within the management team. However, there remains a shortfall in staffing numbers to fulfil the objectives of this service as specified within the homes Statement of Purpose. Staff recruitment is on- going to achieve a level where this mobile service can be fully operational. As a result the organisation has agreed to cut back the service it offers to placing authorities by reducing the number of young people from three to two, until such a time when the service is fully staffed.

p.4

Progress

There is currently one young person using the mobile service which intends to provide them with an activity based programme as they experience a period of difficulty or crisis. Young people are engaged in a selection of activities, some physical, others educational with a common aim of seeking to develop young people's confidence and self-esteem and at the same time protecting them by using rural locations. Some young people have had success in this programme and have progressed out of this mobile service and are being accommodated in registered children's homes within the community. For some young people this has been a stepping stone where progression is limited as they quickly move out, for example to secure accommodation.

p.4

Progress

Positive behaviours are promoted within the service by the staff team. Where consequences for any inappropriate behaviours are put in place, these are fully discussed with young people and implemented. Records of any consequence reflect the agreed reparation and how young people have met this. Young people's views on any consequence imposed are clearly recorded, with young people demonstrating a clear awareness of any consequence being put in place. There have been no recorded incidents of physical restraint being used or any incidents of young people being missing from home. Young people are closely supervised and staff liaise well with external agencies to safeguard and protect young people. There are currently no areas of concern in relation to child protection or child sexual exploitation.

p.4

Progress

Detailed weekly planners are agreed with young people which clearly set out daily activities, education provision and location. At the time of this inspection the young person was changing location and undertaking an activity. It was not possible to speak with them due to these arrangements. There are clear plans in place which show the young person has made progress, from their starting point, and the registered Manager and staff support this.

p.4

Progress

In addition to the recommendation being carried over in relation to staffing, one requirement has been set as a result of this inspection. This is in relation to notifiable incidents being reported to Ofsted. There has been one notifiable incident since the previous inspection and this has not been notified within the specified timescales.

p.5

Progress

The outcome of this inspection found the mobile service to be making satisfactory progress.

p.5

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that, if in relation to a children's home, any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30(1)) 24/03/2014

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure the overall number, competence and deployment of staff, both as a staff group and on individual shifts can fulfil the home's Statement of Purpose; specifically, ensure vacant posts are filled. (NMS 17.1)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6