Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005045 Inspection date 27/03/2014 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is one of several homes operated by an independent provider.

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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 July 2013 the home was judged as good. At that time there were no requirements or recommendations made. Since then, there has been continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Young people receive high quality care from a consistent and well informed staff team. The interaction between young people and staff was observed to be warm, engaging and responsive. Staff talk to young people about day-to-day activities and their future plans. Young people are helped to learn independence skills such as shopping, budgeting, making meals and routine household tasks. During the inspection young people had staff guidance and support to tidy, clean and rearrange their bedroom area.

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Progress

The home provides a safe environment and young people confirm that they feel safe. Young people are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. Their health needs are well considered and met through regular contact with health professionals. Good partnership working with a range of professionals, such as education, safeguarding and the community police is ongoing. This level of contact and continued staff training in areas such as drugs awareness and child sexual exploitation helps to promote young people's welfare.

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Progress

Behaviour is managed positively with few occasions for the need to use physical intervention and sanctions. The Registered Manager routinely monitors the records relating to these matters and ensures the use of these measures is reviewed. This is also the case when young people go missing from the home. Through staff commitment and partnership working with safeguarding agencies there has been a significant reduction in missing from home episodes.

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Progress

Young people have opportunities to give their opinions and make choices about their care and future. A young person said they are 'happy here, the staff are really nice and I can talk to them.' Staff support young people's access to education and training which improves their life chances and career opportunities through learning. Examples of improvement in this area include increased participation and regular college attendance.

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Progress

Young people benefit from regular contact with children's rights officers who enable their views to be heard. Officers also engage young people to gain a better understanding of their history and reasons for living in a children's home. For example, young people have had poetry published about their experience of living in care. They have also accessed National Archives relating to looked after children records. Staff support young people to engage and make appropriate friendships with their peers. Young people said they are looking forward to an organised residential holiday with children from the same placing authority.

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Progress

The home benefits from an experienced and enthusiastic Registered Manager who understands the home’s strengths and weaknesses and is committed to driving improvement forward. The house provides a comfortable and pleasant environment for young people who present as proud of their home.

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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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