Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

Unique reference number SC360599 Inspection date 28/03/2014 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home owned and run by a local authority. The home provides short break accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home can accommodate up to four children and currently provides a service to approximately 43 children and their families. The Adolescent Support unit has two main functions. The first is to provide short and long-term intensive community- based support. The second is to provide short break care from Friday evenings to Tuesday mornings only.

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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 in December 2013, the overall judgement of the home was outstanding. Since then, the home has continued to improve outcomes for young people. The manager is very effective in her management of the home and provides good leadership to the staff. No requirements or recommendations were made at the last inspection and none are made as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Young people who contributed to the inspection said they really enjoy spending time at the home. Usually they stay overnight for approximately one or two nights a month. A young person commented that the support from staff helps them to continue to live with their family or permanent carers rather than be in care full time. A young person said 'It's fantastic, best thing is that there is always something to do, somebody to go with you, it's really good, I like coming here, it's the opportunities and they look after us.'

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Progress

A consistent, caring and well qualified staff team care for the young people. They understand their safeguarding duties and promote young people's wellbeing. The home has strong links with a range of safeguarding agencies. This includes protection agencies such as those involved with child sexual exploitation, drugs misuse and personal health. Comments from parents and professionals indicate that staff keep young people safe and protect them from harm. This is reiterated by the young people who said they feel safe at the home.

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Progress

Young people benefit from staff who provide them with continuity of care and are enthusiastic to involve and support them in lots different activities. During the evening of the inspection, the young people chose to go swimming. A young person was so excited about the activity and said the best bit about coming to the home is to go swimming. Another young person said 'It's really good fun being here.'

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Progress

The home environment continues to be warm, very welcoming and maintained to a high standard. Young people talk with great enthusiasm about the colour coordinated bedrooms and nice furnishings in the home. Young people's views are consistently taken account of, for example, in the activities and menu planning at the home.

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Progress

Staff promote young people's positive behaviour and this has enabled care to be given without the need for sanctions or the use of physical interventions. Young people are respectful and look forward to spending time with staff and meeting other young people.

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Progress

Young people's education is valued and staff support their school attendance. Educational visits to museums and other places of interest are significantly encouraged. This assists young people to develop routines and participate in learning for their future. Staff support young people to learn skills for independence such as tidying the house, learning to cook, bake and help with food shopping.

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Progress

The manager has robust monitoring systems in place and these provide a good overview of how the home is running. Consultations with a range of professionals, parents and discussion with young people help to ensure high quality of care is maintained. Through the use of written consultation a young person commented they had made positive progress in their life and said 'I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for staff support.'

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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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