Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC378187 Inspection date 24/03/2014 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and is adjacent to the organisation's other home.

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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 full inspection in December 2013 the service was providing a good standard of care and this has been sustained. One requirement and one recommendation were made. Both of these have been addressed. As a result, there is now a more effective means of consulting people outside the home about their views of the overall service. This is eliciting a variety of comments, which are being used to maintain the quality of the service. Excellent progress has been made to improve the method of addressing and tracking young people's placement plan targets. The allocation of work and the progress that is being made are now clear. This facilitates progress by young people on important issues.

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Progress

The improvements above incorporate a constructive system for greater accountability of staff. Issues are clearly allocated and have timescales, which are monitored. Subsequently, any shortfalls are reviewed at staff supervision meetings. Not only does this improve the service to young people but it helps consolidate the ethos of continual improvement. A variety of other improvements have also occurred. Responsibility for staff training is now allocated to a senior member of staff, which ensures that there is effective programming. Responsibility for obtaining feedback on the service has been given to key workers. This means that such consultation occurs routinely. It is monitored at supervision meetings and also serves to develop the skills of staff. Further improvements are anticipated and the service has the leadership capacity to achieve this.

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Progress

Improvements have also occurred in the risk assessment process. This is now undertaken by the senior team to ensure consistency and is reflected thoroughly but succinctly in new paperwork. This incorporates evidence of movement in the level of risk pertaining to individual issues. Patterns and trends are therefore visible and remedial actions are undertaken promptly. This has a direct benefit to young people, for example regarding the amount of free time they are allowed and the amount and type of staff input they receive. Health and safety issues are addressed satisfactorily. Safeguarding concerns, for example when young people go missing, are addressed clearly and there is full cooperation with specialist agencies and social workers. However, written notifications to other agencies are not always sent as promptly as required. This has minimal impact on young people but reduces the ability of other

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Progress

Outcomes for young people continue to be positive. Matching is effective and education is promoted so that young people obtain certificated qualifications. This is an important improvement to their employment prospects as well as their self- esteem. Prescribed medication is stored and administered appropriately. However, the records are not always completed appropriately. Independence skills training occurs routinely and each young person enjoys a range of activities.

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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 there is a written record of all medication given to children during their placement. This is with regard to the records being completed accurately (NMS 6.15)  apply a system to notify within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30. This is with regard to notifying Ofsted promptly of safeguarding issues. (NMS 24.1)

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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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