Children's Home run by Fairfield Residential Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC397987 Inspector Sarah Oldham Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Fairfield Residential Ltd Registered person address Fairfield House 59 Warburton Lane Manchester Lancashire M31 4NL Responsible individual Kendall Tzaraine Cope Registered manager Debra McGarrigan Date of last inspection 04/09/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 24/03/2015

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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

Since the last inspection, the home has worked closely with education and placing authority social workers to ensure the needs of young people are supported. For example; previously there were concerns raised regarding appropriate education placements for young people. The Registered Manager and staff have worked with education staff to discuss strategies implemented at the home that aid and assist the young people. These strategies have been implemented within the school setting. This has provided continuity of support for the young person and enabled them to settle better within the school provision.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager is proactive in working with placing authorities to ensure young people move onto appropriate adult services through effective planning. However, recent funding issues with a local authority have resulted in a delay for one young person's move. Staff have followed this up and held regular planning meetings to ensure this issue is resolved in the best interest of the young person.

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This inspection

Young people have detailed placement plans reflecting their individual needs. These plans are kept under review and updated when there are any changes. These plans, as well as individual risk assessments, enable staff to have current information to provide appropriate levels of care and support to young people.

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This inspection

All young people are registered with community health care professionals as well as having access to specialist health care to ensure their individual needs are met. This includes access to speech and language therapist, dieticians, children and mental health services and community learning disabilities nurses. By working in partnership, young people's health care needs continue to be supported well.

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This inspection

At the previous inspection, the home had recommendations made regarding ensuring staff at the home were permanent and agency staff were not left in charge. 3 of 5 Ongoing recruitment and selection processes are in place to recruit a dedicated staff team to provide continuity of care and support. However, despite staff being recruited, there continues to be a shortfall of permanent staff due to unexpected changes in individual’s circumstances. To help address these shortfalls, rather than use agency staff, the service uses bank staff who work for the organisation. Although this has provided some continuity, young people are still experiencing inconsistency which impacts on the development of relationships and young people's attachments.

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This inspection

The home has a Statement of Purpose in place outlining the aims and objectives of the service. This is made available to interested parties, including parents and social workers. However, recent changes to staffing have not been included within this document to reflect the numbers, skills and experience of the staff team.

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This inspection

Regular monitoring of the home is undertaken by the manager to ensure the home meets young people's needs and complies with regulations. In addition, monthly visits by an independent visitor are also undertaken. These visits provide an overview of the home and areas for improvement. Reports of these visits are made and a copy forwarded to the home and Ofsted. However, previous reports were limited in detail, and consultation with a range of people, including placing social workers, parents and other involved parties were not routinely gathered. This does not allow the manager or the regulator to have an understanding of any shortfalls. This was raised at the previous inspection. The home has responded by sourcing an alternative independent visitor who has commenced visits providing deeper analysis of the service. This is enabling the manager to address shortfalls to improve the service and the outcomes for young people.

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This inspection

All staff receive regular supervision and have undertaken training to develop their skills and practice. Training is delivered in a number of ways including face-to-face and on-line. Staff are positive about the training provided and confirm it enhances their knowledge and practice. The home has had some recent redecoration but there continues to be some areas that require additional redecoration and refurbishment to maintain a homely and welcoming environment for young people. In particular the kitchen is showing signs of wear and tear. A planned refurbishment programme is being implemented to address this.

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This inspection

As a result of this inspection, four recommendations have been raised regarding staffing, the statement of purpose and the décor of the home. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide accommodation for up to two children with learning difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/09/2014 Full adequate 21/03/2014 Interim good progress 31/07/2013 Full good 26/02/2013 Interim inadequate 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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure the aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose are child focussed and show how the service will meet outcomes for children. This is in particular reference to staffing. (NMS 13.2)  ensure contingency plans are in place in the event of a shortfall of staffing levels (NMS17.3)  ensure the staff group who are in day-today contact with children includes staff of both genders wherever possible (NMS 17.10) 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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