Children's Home run by Lifetime Opportunities Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC411046 Inspection date 21/03/2014 Inspector Monica Hargreaves Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have learning disabilities.

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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

At the last full inspection of this home in November 2013, the overall effectiveness was judged to be good. At this interim inspection, the home is judged to have made good progress.

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Progress

One requirement was made at the previous inspection. This has been met. The manager has put in place a system to ensure that there is regular consultation with relatives and professionals. The manager understands how young people convey their views and is able to consult with young people on a daily basis. Information that is gained as a result of consultation is used to drive improvements in the home.

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Progress

One recommendation was made at the previous inspection. This is met. Young people's placement plans are highly individualised to reflect the specific goals and targets that have been put in place for them. Plans identify the progress young people make and are regularly monitored to ensure that they are up to date and reflect young people's emerging needs. Staff help young people to understand their care plans using their preferred communication methods. This enables young people to be part of the decisions that are made about their lives. The quality of care has been maintained to a good standard. Young people are looked after by a consistent team of staff who have a very good understanding of their complex needs. Staff communicate effectively with one another to ensure that young people receive consistent care. This enables them to keep young people safe and to support them to achieve positive outcomes. Professionals and relatives

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Progress

confirm that they are very happy with the quality of care that is given to young people. For example, a parent said, '(Name) is really well looked after' and a social worker reported that the staff team, 'Work together well to support the young person'.

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Progress

Staff respect and value young people as individuals. As a result of the way they are cared for, young people develop positive relationships with staff and they feel settled in their home. Young people have continued to attend school very regularly since the last inspection and this has helped them to reach their individual targets. They have also benefitted from maintaining regular contact with family members. Young people enjoy taking part in a range of different activities outside the home. These broaden young people's experiences, help them to develop their contact with other young people and support their general development.

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Progress

Staff understand how individual young people make their wishes and feelings known. They support young people to make choices and to communicate their views about every aspect of their care. Since the last inspection, the manager has improved the communications systems that are available to young people. For example, young people have been provided with a tablet computer which supports their communication. The manager is also putting in place a system of electronically operated photograph albums that will provide a commentary to young people's photographs. This is being used to support life story work with young people to promote their sense of identity.

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Progress

The home is managed effectively. The manager has an excellent understanding of young people's needs. She is experienced and provides good leadership to the team. Staff report that they have regular supervision and are well supported by their manager.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection.

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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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