Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC066428 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person ROC Northwest Limited Registered person address Heyes House, 41 Silverdale Road Arnside CARNFORTH Lancashire LA5 0AL Responsible individual Hilary Waterhouse Registered manager Janice Jardine Date of last inspection 11/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 16/03/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

There is a suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager in charge of the home. She has been managing the home for the last year. There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection, necessitating the employment of bank staff to cover shifts in the home. Staff recruitment is also underway in order to seek permanent employees for the home. Consequently, there has been some disruption to the continuity of care for young people. However, young people confirm that in the short term this has had little effect on their normal routines and care. Positive and constructive relationships were evident between staff and young people during the inspection.

p.2

This inspection

The group of young people resident in the home has remained largely stable since the last inspection. One young person has moved on from the home in a planned and constructive manner. Outcomes for young people are positive. Young people report that generally they get on well together and any minor conflicts between them are handled well by staff. Staffing ratios are good, enabling young people to participate in activities of their choosing without requiring the participation of the whole group. Young people's specific interests are promoted. Young people currently participate in swimming, judo and trampolining. In addition, one young person recently went on a theatre trip to London. On the day of the inspection some young people had experienced caving for the first time. They talked about the sense of achievement this had given them and their eagerness for going again. These activities promote the individuality and health of young people. This, in turn, helps

p.2

This inspection

improve their social interactions and self-confidence.

p.2

This inspection

Three requirements and two recommendations were made at the time of the last full inspection of the home in November 2014. While the manager has taken action to address all the issues raised, they have not all been fully completed. For example, while young people's risk assessments have been updated since the last inspection, 3 of 6 one assessment viewed did not contain details of a recent event to alert staff to increase their vigilance in this area. In addition, the current system to ensure that all staff working with young people are up-to-date with this information and the detail of the young person's placement plan is not currently effective. A number of staff had failed to sign to say that they were aware of changes made to these documents. Consequently, the care afforded to young people may be inconsistent and decisions made on an inaccurate assessment of risk. Hence one requirement has been repeated as a result of this inspection, in order to ensure the home's full compliance

p.2

This inspection

with this regulatory requirement. However, action has been taken to ensure that no errors have occurred in relation to the administration of medication since the last inspection, and clear protocols are in place for staff about the management of specific health needs, such as epilepsy. Action has also been taken to seek references for staff who have undertaken voluntary work.

p.3

This inspection

The introduction of a new staff rota system to the home has received a mixed response. The Registered Manager has listened to the views of staff and made some amendments as a result. However, the roster does not include the full names of bank staff, or staff who are covering shifts from other homes in the organisation. In addition, other records in the home, such as the staff handover book, do not always reflect the same staffing situation.

p.3

This inspection

Reports prepared on both the internal and external monitoring of the home are comprehensive and generally effective at identifying shortfalls. These include regular consultation with staff, young people, their parents and social workers. However, the routine management monitoring has failed to identify and address that staff have not been reading and signing documents when requested or the variable quality of other records, such as the staff handover record. In addition, there has been delay in notifying Ofsted following the occurrence of a significant event.

p.3

This inspection

The home is warm and welcoming. The standard of decoration and furnishings is good and there are photographs of staff and young people on display in the home. This helps young people feel that they belong here. The Registered Manager is keen to involve young people in the further development of the home. Staff are also committed to ensuring that when young people move on from the home they have the skills they require to live independently. This maximises their opportunity for success. 4 of 6

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people of either gender who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, physical or learning disabilities, mental disorders and sensory impairment. The home provides accommodation for up to four young people in the main building and one young person in an annex attached to the building. This is designed as a semi- independent living space.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2014 Full good 27/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 24/10/2013 Full outstanding 27/02/2013 Interim good progress

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted in such a manner as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there; specifically that risk assessments highlight pertinent issues and the systems established are effective in ensuring that staff are familiar with any updates to placement plans and risk assessments (Regulation 11(1)(a)) 17/04/2015

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the records kept by the home under Schedule 4 contain full and accurate details and are kept up-to-date; specifically that duty rosters include full names of staff and that the staff 17/04/2015 5 of 6 indicated to be on duty are also reflected on other records maintained in the home. (Regulation 29(1))

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home (NMS 21.1)  ensure that 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) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

Recommendations

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6