Children's Home run by Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited in Middlesbrough

Unique reference number SC455864 Inspector Deborah White Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Heather Lillian Portues Date of last inspection 18/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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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

Outcomes for young people continue to improve and progress. Most young people are reaching their goals and identified targets, which shows they are positively developing and achieving. Living at this home has a positive impact on young people.

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This inspection

Contact arrangements are very good. Staff have worked with some young people and their parents to repair previously tenuous relationships; some people have reconnected with family members they have not seen for a considerable time period;and some young people have been supported to travel long distances to visit family and friends. A young person said, 'The best thing is seeing my mother, it means so much. The manager has made this happen, I am going to meet other family too.' This gives young people emotional security and a sense of belonging.

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This inspection

The quality of care is good. Relationships with staff are positive and young people have formed positive bonds and attachments. A young person said, 'All the staff are good, they are there for you. Everything is great.' Young people's general health is good. In-house support from a psychologist contributes to young people’s good emotional well-being. They have access to local primary healthcare services and healthcare professionals, which provides holistic care. Young people feel listened to and their views and wishes are taken into account. This empowers and values them. A young person said, ‘They listen to you, this is the best children's home I have been in.'

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This inspection

Young people are developing a range of independence skills to prepare them to make the transition into adulthood. A room in the home has been converted into a separate kitchen area for young people to socialise, prepare snacks and hot drinks, and basic meals. All young people are positive about having their own kitchen and the freedom to eat when they choose. Comments include, ‘this is great, we can do 3 of 6 our own snacks’ and, ‘we can sit in here and have a coffee, I love it'.

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This inspection

Young people are also given the option to have an allocated budget to plan their own menus; do their own shopping; and prepare own their main meals. This gives young people a chance to experience how it is to live independently. Whilst this support for independent living is positive, the young people are not also helped to ensure that they receive a nutritious and well-balanced diet. All the young people are at a critical stage of their growth and development and a healthy diet is vital. Most of the young people are buying and eating fast-food; low cost frozen foodstuffs; or low cost ready-meals. During the meal observed, by the inspector, no young people ate any fresh produce, vegetables or fruit. As a result, young people’s nutritional needs are not fully met.

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This inspection

A number of significant incidents have been notified to Ofsted since the last inspection. These were discussed during this visit and a conclusion reached that the home takes reasonable measures to promote young people’s safety and welfare. There is good inter-agency working and the Registered Manager regularly liaises with local police and local safeguarding agencies to keep the young people safe. Social workers and parents are kept fully informed of events, which ensures the young people have additional safeguards in place.

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This inspection

The home has progressed by addressing the one requirement and one recommendation made at the last inspection. They have commissioned an outside independent agency to carry out monthly Regulation 33 visits, which are now thorough and focus on the experiences of the young people. Consultation is good and written reports and sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. This means the external monitoring of the home is robust.

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This inspection

Record keeping has overall improved. Staff have had additional training and guidance and advice about the importance of good record keeping. Senior staff monitor written records and support individual staff where necessary. Staff are mindful of legal requirements to ensure there is good quality recording about young people. This ensures there is a good record of each young person’s experience of living at the home.

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This inspection

A previous requirement, though, to improve the safe handling of medication is not fully met and will be repeated. A number of shortfalls have been addressed to a good standard: however, some of the new systems in place are not fully effective. For example:- some entries recorded in the receipt of medication log do not include the number of tablets received; the controlled drug register is not the correct design for a children’s home; the home’s policy is not clear about receiving verbal prescription orders; and the arrangements when young people refuse medication over a prolonged period are not detailed. This potentially compromises safe practice in managing medication.

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This inspection

As a result there is one repeated requirement and one new requirement, relating to 4 of 6 the promotion of healthy eating, arising from this inspection. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This children home provides care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and mental disorders. The home is operated by a private provider.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2014 Full good 15/01/2014 Interim good progress 26/07/2013 Full adequate

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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 there are suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children’s home. In particular, ensure the home's procedures and systems for the safe handling of medication are effective (Regulation 21 (1)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that children accommodated in a children's home are provided with food which is properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious (Regulation 13 (1) (ii)) 31/03/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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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