Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC032083 Inspector Michelle Edge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Castle Homes Care Limited Registered person address Castle Homes Care Ltd, The Manor House High Street, Rothwell KETTERING Northamptonshire NN14 6BQ Responsible individual Shelley Frances Whiting Registered manager Louise Margaret Arrowsmith Date of last inspection 22/01/2015 2 of 6 Inspection date 25/03/2015

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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 sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

he Registered Manager has made the necessary improvements identified at the last inspection. The children’s guide has been updated and now contains all relevant information. Home conditions have improved and the young people were involved in the choice of décor and furnishings. They were also involved in re-designing the outdoor space. One young person is planning to grow vegetables and has been allocated a section of the garden. He was excited about this and said ‘he was waiting for spring before he could plant his seeds.’ This provides an opportunity for young people to learn new skills as they progress into adulthood. A clear training plan now includes training for all staff that facilitate family contact. This will ensure that they have the skills and knowledge needed to ensure contact is safe, well planned and includes up to date risk assessments.

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This inspection

Young people achieve positive outcomes within a safe and supportive environment. They benefit from individualised care packages were staff have a good knowledge and understanding of their needs. The staff team have high aspirations regardless of the complexities of the needs of young people and the challenges they may present. One young man said ‘I have been here for years, it’s my home, I am going to miss it when I move out. The staff have been really good to me and have helped me. I’m going to college, got friends and all is good for me.’ Staff engage appropriately to provide support and reassurance sometimes needed to reduce young people’s anxieties and promote their welfare. For example, one young man is being supported to move to his own tenancy. Staff have fully involved him in the planning process. When his local authority wanted him to move closer to home, the young man was supported by his keyworker to meet with his social worker and discuss his

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This inspection

wishes and feelings. He said ‘He wanted to remain local where he had established appropriate friendships and planned to start an apprenticeship at a local garage.’ He was listened to and the plans were changed to look at a local resource. This ensures that young people are fully involved in the decisions made in their lives and are 3 of 6 provided with opportunities to be listened to and heard.

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This inspection

Education and achievements are actively promoted by the staff team. Young people who have struggled in the past are making excellent progress. One young man has been attending college to complete a motor vehicle course. He had recently been offered an apprenticeship at a local garage. This will enable him to further his skills and knowledge in his particular interest and help in his chosen career path. The other young man was proud that he had recently completed a number of required tests, which showed he had improved academically. He had applied to his chosen college to complete a barber apprenticeship. He said ‘This is what I want to do and I could not believe the results of my tests.’ Young people are fully supported to reach their educational potential and have aspirations for the future.

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This inspection

There have been improvements in the management of young people’s medication. However not all records contain an accurate record of medication administrated and the amount remaining. Details about side effects of medication and review dates were also on recorded. This does not provide a robust system. The deputy manager took immediate action to rectify the situation. Young people are taking more responsibility for their health. They feel confident to talk to health professionals about their medication, how it makes them feel and to adjust this according to their needs. For example, one young man was supported to meet with his doctor to talk about one of the injections he required. The young person said how these made him feel and it was agreed that these could be changed to oral medication. This encourages young people’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.

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This inspection

Safeguarding young people is a priority of the staff team and central to their practice. Young people are supported to keep safe. Staff understand fully their responsibilities and act within clear procedures. This helps ensure young people are protected. Risk assessments sufficiently identify potential risks and how these will be managed effectively. Potential hazards to young people are adequately defined and addressed. Sufficient attention to minimising risks ensures they receive safe care. Since residing in the home there has been a significant decrease in young people risk taking behaviours. This is because they feel safe, secure and are increasing in confidence.

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This inspection

Young people continue to take part in a wide and creative range of activities. These are planned weekly and young people have the opportunity to discuss what they would like to try or places they may like to visit. This includes swimming, bike rides and theme parks. This ensures they have the same opportunities as their peer group and are supported to develop their social skills. One young man is currently undertaking some voluntary work. This enables him to contribute to his local community. He said ‘I am helping in the stock room, but looking forward to working on the shop floor.’ These opportunities enable young people to play a full and active part in society and further their own confidence and self-esteem.

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This inspection

Young people do not go missing. This is because they are well supervised by staff, 4 of 6 both within and outside of the home. The use of sanctions and restraints in the home is minimal. Staff use distraction and other techniques to diffuse situations. The Registered Manager continues to review all methods used to ensure they are appropriate and effective. This ensures that all measures are proportionate and young people are being appropriately supported to manage and reflect on behaviours. Staff present as positive role models and implement the homes behaviour management policy. This effectively promotes positive behaviour for young people.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the homes policies, identifying any concerns about specific incidents and themes and patterns. Immediate action is taken to address any issues that are raised. She is aware of the strengths of the home and has identified areas for development, including encouraging young people to access more community resources, to ensure they are not socially isolated. The Registered manager works hard to secure improvements and make a difference to children and young people’s lives. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private company which has other homes in the area.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/01/2015 Full good 22/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 31/10/2013 Full good 09/01/2013 Interim good 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 there is a written record of all medication, treatment and first aid given to children during their placement. (NMS 6.15) 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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