Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020630 Inspection date 25/03/2014 Inspector Michael Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a two-bedded children's home providing services for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private company.

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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 October 2013, 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 required the Registered Manager to take account of one area for improvement and recommended they take account of another. This inspection found that since then the manager has addressed both areas for improvement and overall has maintained good outcomes for young people and good quality of care. No new areas for improvement were identified.

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Progress

In response to the previous requirement, the home's Statement of Purpose now includes the age-range of young people for whom it is intended that care and accommodation should be provided. As a result, young people, their parents and placing authorities, are now provided with a clear statement about the aims and objectives of the home and what services and facilities it provides.

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Progress

In response to the previous recommendation, the young person's guide to the home now includes how they can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). Their IRO is therefore one of the people they can now contact if they wish to raise a concern.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, external and internal monitoring and reporting has provided proper oversight of the home. Ofsted has received a copy of the report from the monthly registered provider visit to the home. The Registered Manager was aware of recent and upcoming amendments to The Children's Homes Regulations, including how from April 2014 an amendment will require them to change their review of the quality of care at the home and their submission of such review reports to Ofsted.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, as required, Ofsted and other relevant authorities have been notified about the handful of significant events relating to the protection of young people accommodated in the home. Appropriate action has been taken following each event, such as calling the police and a safeguarding strategy meeting. None of the incidents have raised concerns for Ofsted about the home's continued compliance with The Children's Homes Regulations. These incidents are often connected with the young people's emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, two young people have moved on from the home and two young people have moved in. Young people have moved on to a secure children's home and to a planned move back to their family home. At the time of this inspection, the latter young person was still doing really well at their family home. The children's home was focused on reintegrating the two new young people back into full time education or training and effectively managing the new behaviour and group dynamics they were presenting. One of the new residents had already personalised their bedroom and commented that they were now 'settled' at the home and beginning to focus on one of their aspirations: to go to a local, mainstream secondary school.

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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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