Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC464809 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person ROC Northwest Limited Registered person address Heyes House, 41 Silverdale Road Arnside CARNFORTH Lancashire LA5 0AL Responsible individual Hilary Waterhouse Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 09/01/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 01/07/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

There is a new manager in post in the home, who took up position in April 2014. Ofsted is currently processing his application for registration. He is familiar with the home and young people, as he has worked there since it opened in June 2013. The former manager also continues to work for the organisation. Staff and young people report that she has maintained an interest in the home and consequently young people feel that she remains interested in their welfare. The management transition was handled well, with only minimum disruption. The staff team has also remained stable during this period. The home's Statement of Purpose has been updated in relation to these management changes but a copy has not been forwarded to Ofsted or uploaded onto the organisation's website.

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This inspection

The group of young people resident in the home has remained stable since the home was opened. Young people report that generally they get on well together and any minor conflicts between them are handled well by staff. Staffing ratios are good, enabling young people to participate in activities of their choosing without requiring the participation of the whole group. Young people appreciate the range of activities that they are able to access. For example, young people currently participate in horse riding, scouts, football club and trampolining. These activities ensure that young people engage in regular physical activity as well help improve their social interactions and self-confidence.

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This inspection

Young people continue to make good progress at the home and they are all in full- time education. Staff work well with social workers and young people's parents to ensure that they are providing a consistent approach. Young people benefit from maintaining contact with their birth family and friends. Staff are good at supporting contact arrangements. At the request of some young people, staff have recently assisted them to re-establish contact with some family members. These arrangements have been taken very slowly and negotiated with the placing 3 of 6 authority. Thus, young people feel listened to and have been enabled to participate in this contact with the support of staff.

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This inspection

There has been an increase in the need to engage in physical interventions with young people since the last inspection. Staff maintain thorough records of any incidents that have occurred and they are discussed at staff meetings. The home also has good monitoring systems in place to learn from these incidents and to identify patterns and triggers. As a result staff may agree to adopt a different strategy to address future challenging behaviours. This routine review and reflection assists staff and young people learn how to best manage their behaviours.

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This inspection

Similarly, there has been a small increase in incidents of young people going missing from the home. These mainly involve young people who as part of their preparation for independence plan are learning to manage their own time and pressure from their peers. Staff are clear about the procedures that they need to follow in these circumstances. They also work hard to engage young people on their return to alert them to the risks that they are placing themselves in. Young people demonstrate positive relationships with staff and unanimously describe 'the staff' as the best thing about the home.

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This inspection

Relationships with parents and partner organisations are positive. One social worker commented in feedback requested by the home, 'X continues to make good progress. X is settled and secure. The home provides a supportive environment where the young person can thrive and develop'. Additionally, one parent commented, 'I am kept informed about my child at all times. Contact with the home staff is very good'. However, on one occasion staff in the home did not immediately contact the police when they became concerned that a young person may have an illegal substance in his possession. The substance was removed and their concerns were passed on to others working with the young person. However, contact with the police was made by a third party and before the home had taken any action.

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This inspection

The home has addressed the one requirement made at the last inspection. Staff rotas now demonstrate which staff members have slept in the home overnight. Additionally, the three recommendations have been satisfactorily addressed. Staff have now completed training on autism, sexualised behaviour and attachment. Thus, they are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to best meet the needs of the young people living in the home. Telephone verification calls have been made to referees in relation to the one new member of staff employed since the last inspection. Finally, the organisation have introduced a new, more comprehensive, risk assessment format that clearly highlights the risk level of a range of issues for young people.

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This inspection

Managers in the home demonstrate a desire to learn and further improve the quality of care they offer to young people. They are keen to involve young people in the development of the home and take seriously suggestions that they make. There is a warm and homely feel to the home. It is furnished to a high standard and contains 4 of 6 soft furnishings and photographs of staff and young people on the walls. This helps young people feel like this is really their home and that they belong here. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

5 (2001) ensure that HMCI is notified of any revision to the statement of purpose within 28 days; and that this is published on the organisation's website. (Regulation 4(2A), Regulation 5(b)) 25/07/2014

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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 that the registered person and staff work effectively in partnership wit other agencies concerned with child protection; specifically that the staff in th home liaise with the police without delay, when they have concerns about you people being in possession of illegal substances. (NMS 4.7) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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