Children's Home run by Educare Adolescent Services Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC062288 Inspection date 10/03/2014 Inspector Michael Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/01/2014 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is part of a large organisation operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to three young people of either gender who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or a learning disability.

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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

In January 2014, the full inspection of the home judged its overall effectiveness to be good; outcomes for young people and the quality of care were also judged to be good. It recommended one area for improvement. This inspection found that in the short time since then the home has addressed the recommendation and overall has maintained good outcomes for young people and good quality of care.

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Progress

The last inspection reported that a new manager had been appointed and was in the process of applying to Ofsted to become the home's Registered Manager. Ofsted have now received their application and checks on their suitability for the role are currently being carried out. They have benefitted from a handover period with the outgoing Registered Manager. With the home's deputy manager, they are currently exercising effective leadership of the home's staff and operation so that good quality care is delivered that meets the individual needs of each young person.

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Progress

Following the previous recommendation, the home has ensured that young people are helped by staff to achieve their educational goals and to this end have worked with young people's education providers to maximise each young person's educational achievement. For example, the manager has worked together with a young person's mainstream secondary school to confirm what homework and revision activities they should be completing in preparation for their upcoming exams. Staff have then provided the young person with the support, facilities and opportunities they need to complete these activities.

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Progress

The last inspection took place at the same time as the home's January 2014 unannounced registered provider visit. It reported that the outgoing Registered Manager was, 'inducting and mentoring the new manager who is to take over, which is going well'. The home also had a registered provider visit in February 2014. Together with the manager's internal monitoring, this external monitoring provides proper oversight of the home and includes consultation with young people accommodated, their parents and social workers, and staff.

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Progress

Immediately after the last inspection, as required, Ofsted and other relevant authorities received notification from the home of two significant events relating to the protection of young people accommodated. Appropriate action was taken following each event and they have not raised concerns for Ofsted about the home's continued compliance with The Children's Homes Regulations. Such incidents are often connected with young people's difficulties or disabilities.

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Progress

At the time of this inspection, the home was especially focused on liaising with one young person's placing authority and independent reviewing officer about their readiness to imminently move on to semi-independent accommodation, and on supporting another young person to settle into the home. Practically the home was supporting the former young person with their completion of an independence training pack and with their savings. The latter young person had been visited by their placing social worker the day of this inspection. The manager commented that the social worker was impressed by how well the young person had settled in and the young person commented that so far it had been 'good' for them at the home.

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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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