Children's Home run by New Horizons (Stockport) Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008600 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person New Horizons (Stockport) Ltd Registered person address 5 Bramhall Park Road, Bramhall STOCKPORT Cheshire SK7 3DQ Responsible individual Bharati Parikh Registered manager Maria Simmons Date of last inspection 16/07/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 09/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Young people report that staff help them to settle when they move into the home and that they settle quickly. Even after only short periods in this placement, young people can identify improvements that they make. One young person said that before he came to the home he did not attend school and had a poor routine. This young person was pleased to tell the inspector that he now attends school and he participates in a number of positive activities.

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This inspection

Young people are well supported through planned moves from the home. The social worker for a young person who recently left the home stated, ‘The home and the new setting liaised with one another before the move – staff visited the new setting with him. The home provided good information about his independence skills and their risk assessments. They helped him to purchase the things he need for his flat. We all worked together to get the best for him.’

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This inspection

The last inspection of the home identified that a young person was admitted to the home, whose needs could not be met there. The Registered Manager has now made effective improvements to the admissions process. For example, the young people now placed at the home engage in less risk taking behaviour, and incidents of young people going missing from the home have substantially reduced. The Registered Manager’s consultation with external agencies such as schools, demonstrates that they continue to work well with other professionals to improve outcomes for young people. The independent visitor to the home is suitably independent and monthly visits are routinely conducted. Reports by the independent visitor do not show that consultation with relatives takes place. This reduces the effectiveness of the monitoring visits.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection some staff have undertaken training in the dangers of ‘legal highs’. This means that they will be better equipped to support and advise young 3 of 6 people around this issue.

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This inspection

A previous recommendation in relation to record keeping has not been met and has been repeated. Although improvements were noted, some records lacked detail. As staff annual appraisals have not yet taken place a recommendation in relation to the inclusion of young people’s views in staff annual appraisals cannot yet be assessed. All other requirements and recommendations of the previous inspection have been met. One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This is in relation to the need to repair broken and uneven paving at the rear of the house. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2014 Full adequate 08/01/2014 Interim good progress 10/05/2013 Full adequate 27/11/2012 Interim good progress

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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

(2001) ensure the independent person, shall interview, children accommodated , their parents, relatives and persons working at the children’s home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion as to whether children accommodated at the children’s home are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the children’s home promotes the wellbeing of the children accommodated there. (Regulation 33 (8) (a)). 31/03/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6  ensure there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed (22.1)  ensure avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting (NMS 10.3) This is with particular reference to the uneven and broken paving at the back of the house. 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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