Children's home run by Social Care Services Limited in Stockport

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness . The home is currently experiencing a difficult period, which has been on-going since the last inspection which took place in December 2015. This is due mainly to change in dynamics of young people living at the home. This, coupled with the relatively short period of time between inspections, has meant the home has been unable to move forward as wished regarding areas of progress and development. Keeping up standards of care and ensuring young people remain safe has been the main priority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection a shortfall was raised in relation to improving the frequency of meetings for young people to make choices about their care in the home. The manager has not yet made improvements to the frequency of meetings. This is in part due to the current group of young people living at the home and their relationship with each other; given the level of disruption in the home the manager has focused on maintaining the routines and boundaries already well established in the home to support young people to be safe and cared for. As a result this recommendation has been re-stated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are going through an unsettled period, which has presented a series of challenges to the manager and staff team. For one young person this has resulted in increased episodes of being missing from the home. The young person has stated that she is unhappy in the placement and wants to move on from the home. However, the placing authority continue to report that the home is providing stability and support for the young person and report they view the placement as part of her long term plan. The placing social worker commented: ‘I am really happy with the level of support in place, the staff manage X’s behaviour well and they know her very well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team remain committed to supporting all young people if they go missing to return to the home as quickly as possible. The manager has excellent links with local agencies who are specifically tasked with supporting young people who go missing, one worker commented: ‘the staff are really proactive trying to find young people, they go above and beyond really. They work really well with us and communication is excellent.’ The manager ensures risk management plans are in place to support staff to manage young people’s behaviour. Records are kept detailing each incident of going missing. However, the individual records are not always completed in full by staff members; this means that the manager is unable to effectively evaluate each episode of missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear safeguarding policies and procedures for staff to follow in the event of any allegation, suspicion of abuse or unsafe practice. Generally allegations are handled in line with procedure, and support both the young person and the members of staff involved. However, records demonstrate that following one occasion where an allegation made by a young person the manager failed to notify HMCI of the allegation, in line with regulation. There was no impact on the young person, given all other agencies were notified and agreed with the action plan devised following the investigation into the allegation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team remain committed to encouraging and supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes while living at the home. Education is prioritised and young people enjoy attending and achieving in education. However, because of damage to the home young people do not have access to a computer or internet to support their education and learning. The manager reports the computer has been broken for some time and is waiting for it to be prepared.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to offer support to the staff team on a daily basis, she is undertaking some shifts as part of her working hours, this means that she can directly observe practice in the home and build relationships with young people. Staff members report that they receive regular supervision and use this time effectively. They feel well supported by the manager and comment on her commitment to the role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Shortfalls raised as part of this inspection have not currently impacted on the wellbeing of young people placed at the home. The manager remains committed to providing a good quality service supporting young people to make progress.

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (3)(c)) 31/03/2016

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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

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. The Guide to the Quality Standards P22, 4.11

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Recommendations

 Children should have access to a computer and the internet to support their education and learning (The Guide Page 29, 5.19)

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Recommendations

 Records must be kept detailing all individual incidents when children go missing from home. Evaluation of missing incidents should be undertaken. (The Guide Page 45, 9.31)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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