Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC431228 Inspector Angie Bishop Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Unique Care Homes Support Limited Registered person address Holland House 1-5 Oakfield Sale Cheshire M33 6TT Responsible individual Annily Jameson Registered manager Janine Beamer / POST VACANT Date of last inspection 09/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 17/03/2015

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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 improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The manager has met the requirements and the recommendation raised at the full inspection. The manager and deputy have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. This understanding informs the plans for future development of the home. One shortfall has been identified during this inspection. This relates to dates and signatures on supervision records and does not affect the care that young people receive.

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This inspection

Young people continue to make good progress in this home. All young people are engaged in formal education or independence programs and staff promote and reward their attainment. As a result, young people are positive about their futures. One young person said, ‘I am finding school hard but I know I have to go as I want to go to college. I have applied to the college and am waiting to hear.’

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This inspection

Staff encourage young people to engage in activities in the local community and some of the young people play and train with a local football team. Two young people are also enrolled on courses to achieve formal coaching qualifications. One young person said: ‘We do a lot of community activities. We watch football, we play football, and I am going to try coaching. It is really good.’

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This inspection

New and existing staff access a comprehensive training program, which includes training in chid sexual exploitation. The manager also supports staff to achieve formal qualifications. This means that all staff work from a practical and theoretical base that informs their understanding of young people’s individual needs. This understanding translates into positive outcomes for young people. A social worker said: ‘staff manage incredibly well with challenging children.’

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This inspection

Staff encourage young people to share their views individually and as a collective group in community meetings. As a result, young people feel that their opinions are 3 of 5 valued and continue to build confidence in sharing their views. One young person said: ‘staff listen to us, we can chat to them, they definitely listen. If we have an issue, we sit down as a community and talk about it openly. We are not frightened to have different opinions to other people.’

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This inspection

Where it is in accordance with care plans, the manager and staff engage family members in their children’s lives. Staff promote, facilitate, and supervise contact, they also support families to prepare for young people returning to their care. This means there is a cohesive approach to a young person’s transition, which minimises disruption for the young people. A social worker said: ‘Staff have promoted the relationship with dad, and they have supported contact. Dad sees the key worker as a rock. Dad listens to the staff they communicate well with him.’

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This inspection

Young people have thorough risk assessments and all staff members are familiar with these assessments. Using key work sessions, staff encourage young people to explore their risk taking behaviours. A social worker said about one young person, ‘I know he is being looked after, I know he is safe, I have no worries about any young person’s safety in this home.’

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This inspection

Staff encourage young people to develop skills for independence. For example, all young people engage in household tasks this includes budgeting, washing up, food preparation and cleaning. Two young people are moving into the new on site independent living provision. The young people have contributed to the development of the provision and are looking forward to moving into it. One young person said, ‘I am moving on to the semi-independent living on site. Staff are helping me develop independence skills which is really good for me.’ 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to accommodate up to six young people of the same gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2014 Full good 24/07/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 25/04/2013 Full adequate 31/10/2012 Full good

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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 written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person. The record is signed by the supervisor and the member of staff at the end of the supervision. (NMS 19.5) 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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