Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Wolverhampton

Unique reference number SC390576 Inspection date 11/03/2014 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

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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 October 2013 was good. One recommendation was made. The service has met the recommendation made to ensure staff engage and work with schools to overcome any problems the child may be experiencing. The staff use a home school diary to communicate with the school about young people. This provides a clear report about the behaviour of young people. As a result, young people receive a continuity of care between home and school because everyone is applying the same strategies when managing behaviour. This has reduced absconding from school and improved behaviour.

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Progress

Young people take part in regular meetings about the home and their care. A young person said, ‘We have meetings every Thursday’. As a result, choices and requests made by young people are acted on. This means young people are listened to and shape the care they receive. For example, a young person wanted to attend sea cadets. This request was met; the young person now attends and feels a sense of pride and belonging.

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Progress

The manager consults with young people, parents and social workers about the quality of care the home provides. A parent said, ‘They are really good; they explain everything to me; they write, call and provide written updates’. Feedback forms are sent out and evaluated by the manager when they are returned. This helps the manager to improve the quality of care young people receive. For example, a feedback form from a parent flagged up they had never visited the service. The manager contacted the parent and a visit was arranged. This helped to improve the relationship between the home, parents and young people.

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Progress

Some significant changes to the staffing of the home and placement admissions and discharges have taken place. The manager has recruited staff to fill vacancies. This means the home continues to provide good quality of care. All staff employed are safely vetted prior to starting employment to ensure they do not pose any risks to young people. This keeps young people safe from unsuitable candidates having access to them. Two young people have moved on from the service and one young person has moved in. Young people feel safe. A young person said. ‘There is no bullying anymore’.

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Progress

Young people feel safe in the home and have someone they feel confident in. A young person said, ‘I can talk to my advocate, he sticks up for me’. This means the views, wishes and feelings of young people are taken seriously and acted on. As a result, young people confidently raise concerns.

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Progress

The home provides a warm and welcoming environment where young people feel relaxed and at home. However, the external garden wall is damaged and needs repair. There is no current risk assessment to demonstrate how young people will be kept safe when accessing the garden area. The manager has taken action to make arrangements for the wall to be repaired, and has given verbal instruction not to use the garden due to the risks. Some of the draws in young people’s bedrooms do not have handles. This makes it difficult to open them. The extractor hood above the cooker requires new filters; there is considerable build-up of grease above the hood. However, the staff removed the filter during the inspection. This helps to reduce the risk of fire.

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting. Risk reduction does not lead to an institutional feel. In particular relation to the cooker extractor hood, and bedroom furniture. (NMS 10.3)  ensure risk assessments of the whole children’s home environment are carried out, to identify any potential sources of harm to the children are recorded in writing and regularly reviewed. In relation to the garden wall. (NMS 10.8)

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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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