Children's Home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005041 Inspection date 29/03/2014 Inspector Julian Parker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

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

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to accommodate up to 10 young people with a range of disabilities, including physical disability, learning disability and complex needs. The provision may be for either settled care or short- breaks.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

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

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection in December 2013, the overall rating for the service was judged as Outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were identified. Since the full inspection this service has demonstrated its capacity to provide high quality care to young people and continue to progress. The service is currently judged as making good progress.

p.3

Progress

Young people with disabilities using the service, both full time and for respite provision, continue to make very good progress while living in this home. They respond positively to the care they receive and demonstrate this through their responsive behaviour, general compliance, by using communication tools and giving positive verbal feedback. The manager and her team have further developed their systems for enlisting and recording the views of young people and use the comments received to further improve individualised care delivery.

p.3

Progress

Young people progress because they are treated as individuals with often complex personal care needs that are fully understood by the staff looking after them. They receive sensitivity and encouragement to achieve to the best of their ability. The progress made by young people is celebrated both within the home and by placing authority acknowledgement. Staff demonstrate confidence in how they can address and reduce any emerging unusual or challenging behaviour. By following clear practice and management guidelines children’s educational achievement, ability to communicate and develop practical social skills is maintained and often improved.

p.3

Progress

Young people enjoy their living environment and participate willingly by engaging with activities provided in the house, the garden and outside of the home in the wider community. Wherever possible help decorate their own rooms to reflect their interest in youth culture trends and activities. Staff are imaginative and facilitate opportunities for young people to encounter stimulating experiences and visits. The photographs and achievement certificates displayed throughout the home and in the children’s personal records celebrate these.

p.4

Progress

Young people have clear boundaries in their stimulating environment. The ethos of the home and staff practice promotes the emergence of individual identity and respects difference and equality. An inclusive culture results in young people receiving supportive care focused on identified need, assessed risks, cultural awareness and promoting personal development which will help young people make the transition to adult services.

p.4

Progress

On-going renovation redecoration of the home facilitated by on-site maintenance staff, ensures that young people continue to live in clean, homely and well personalised accommodation that fully promotes their feelings of emotional security. This fundamental feeling of safety enhances behavioural stability.

p.4

Progress

On-going enhancement in staff training and improvements made with engaging the views of young people and other stakeholders has energised staff involvement in the homes on-going development and commitment to best practice. Through the introduction of amended recording tools and improving the way in which young people’s progress is recorded individual case-records are kept current and accurate.

p.4

Progress

There are effective monitoring systems both in the home, through the regulation 34 format and commissioned from an independent source to make regulation 33 visits. These inform the home's management about the quality and effectiveness of the care currently provided. Clear improvements to the in-house administration systems, including an up-to-date revision to the homes Statement of Purpose and young person’s guide, provided in various communication media, comprehensively inform stakeholders, including parents, clearly about the service provided.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5