Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020595 Inspection date 24/03/2014 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately-owned children's home for up to four young people with emotional and/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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

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

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Progress

The home was judged as good overall at the last full inspection in December 2013 when two requirements were made. The first related to the recording of any comments young people make about measures of control they receive as a result of poor behaviour. The second requirement outlined the need for Ofsted to be notified without delay of any event that occurred in the home that required a formal notification. Both requirements have been actioned. The Registered Manager is able to fully evaluate the appropriateness of any measure of control used because feedback from young people when given is now reflected in the home’s records. The Registered Manager now ensures that Ofsted is informed without delay of any event that occurs in the home that requires a formal notification.

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Progress

Overall, young people continue to be looked after in a way that matches their individual needs and circumstances. The Registered Manager makes certain that the staff team are consistently organise and deployed to ensure young people are safe and receive the individual support they need. Because of this, the majority of young people are able to make and sustain progress with their relationships, behaviours, attendance and attainment at school. Generally, young people experience positive relationships with the staff team but on occasions less so with each other because of some bullying behaviours. Staff are alert and act quickly when bullying behaviour is displayed or perpetrated. Although this approach reduces the effects and impact of this kind of behaviour on others, effecting longer-term changes in behaviour for some young people has been difficult. On occasions and for some young people, the home has been an uncomfortable place to live. The Registered Manager and staff

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Progress

team have preserved and shown a level of commitment to all young people to help sustain individual placements. However, for some young people their placement has ended because of the impact their behaviour was having on others.

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Progress

Young people continue to be provided with living accommodation that is spacious, clean and tidy. The home has benefited from some recent improvement with a new kitchen being fitted. However, some of the home’s general décor such as painted woodwork is shabby and some floor coverings are very worn and heavily stained. Although the home has an on-going plan of maintenance and upgrades it is not clear when these matters will be addressed. Currently, young people’s comfort is not being fully promoted through the overall standards of accommodation provided.

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Progress

Young people’s views, wishes and feelings remain central to how the home operates and feedback is actively and regularly sought by the Registered Manager and staff team. Each young person continues to benefit from having an allocated key worker who is tasked with ensuring young people can regularly discuss in private their needs and future arrangements. Group discussions and consultations are also facilitated regularly where staff and young people meet together and talk about the running of the home. The team listen to what young people have to say and this helps them shape the home’s routines in line with the feedback they receive.

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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 all parts of the children's home are kept reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 31/05/2014

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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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