Children's Home run by Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC394478 Inspector Maria McGranaghan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person A Lowrie Care Services Limited Registered person address Houldsworth Mill Houldsworth Street STOCKPORT Cheshire SK5 6DA Responsible individual Steven Greenall Registered manager Steven Greenall Date of last inspection 11/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 05/02/2015

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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

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the last inspection and how any progress has improved the quality of care and potential outcomes for young people.

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This inspection

At the last inspection on 11 July 2014 the home was judged as being good. At the time the registered manager was asked to take account of one recommendation made with regard to the absence of pathway plans for some young people. The manager has been proactive in addressing this matter because pathway plans are now in place.

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This inspection

Young people are very well supported to regain their confidence within the educational arena. Excellent relationships are formed between the home and educational providers and this ensures that young people receive a consistent approach to their educational routine. Consequently, young people who have previously experienced educational disruption now have improved attendance.

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This inspection

Young people benefit from a staff team who are in-tune with their individual needs, abilities and strengths. Through careful assessment young people work in partnership with staff and external agencies in order to develop essential life skills. Consequently, young people are successful and develop skills at a pace suitable to their individual need.

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This inspection

Young people’s individual needs are appropriately assessed within the home. There are very good examples of focused keywork sessions including independent skills, personal safety and relationships. It is clear that young people engage well with staff and benefit from sessions distinctly linked to their individual placement plan.

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This inspection

Young people engage in activities best suited to their individual interest. For 3 of 5 example, young people go fishing, swimming to the gym and cycling. Young people engage well with activities and this has helped to strengthen relationships with staff.

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This inspection

Young people’s safety is prioritised in the home. Good safeguarding systems are in place and work hand-in-hand with external safeguarding agencies. Although, since the last inspection there have been a number of episodes of one young person being missing, this has significantly reduced as a result of the work undertaken with them in the home. Likewise, although physical intervention in the home is rare, some records do not fully capture the event. As a result, some records do not fully assess the effectiveness of the intervention or provide detail of de-escalation techniques used prior to an intervention becoming necessary.

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This inspection

Leadership and management is good. Consistent internal and external monitoring of care planning processes ensures that young people are looked after in the most appropriate way. Likewise, a thorough community risk assessment assists the home when assessing young people’s level of risk and those of future referrals. However, Notifications in accordance with Regulation 30 are not consistently received by Ofsted. Consequently, information about serious incidents is not shared with the regulatory body in order to be independently assessed and reviewed.

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This inspection

Two recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for no more than three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2014 Full good 11/02/2014 Interim good progress 14/06/2013 Full good 20/12/2012 Interim good progress

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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 a system is in place to notify within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30 (NMS 24.1)  ensure a system is in place to monitor the quality and accuracy of records, specifically in relation to restraint and that appropriate action is taken to address shortfalls in this area (NMS 22.1) 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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