Children's home run by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Unique reference number SC034108 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person address Council Offices, Wellington Road Tameside Ashton-under-Lyne Lancashire OL6 6DL Responsible individual Dominic Tumelty Registered manager Caroline Eddy Date of last inspection 21/01/2015 2 of 5 Inspection date 30/03/2015

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The home makes a positive difference to the lives of young people who benefit from the care and support that they receive. Staff work in close partnership with the families of young people to meet their particular needs. As a result, they benefit from a high quality short break service that promotes their needs effectively. A parent reports, 'From the letters home, to days out, it all works fantastic…We have total peace of mind when (our child) attends. The staff are amazing.'

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This inspection

Young people enjoy their short break stays at the home. They benefit from fun filled, age appropriate and creative activities to promote their social skills, interests and hobbies. For example, young people recently made gifts to celebrate mother’s day. A complimentary letter received from a parent states, 'Thank you so much for the lovely mother’s day card and jewellery box. They were gorgeous.' Young people benefit from the social, educational and developmental aspects of their experiences. Staff work creatively with young people in way that promotes their social skills and improves their self-confidence.

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This inspection

Staff have an excellent awareness of the needs of individual young people. Young people benefit from effective support from well qualified, skilled, caring and capable staff. A stable staff team is employed to provide young people with continuity of care and high quality support. Consequently, young people benefit from positive relationships with staff many of whom have cared for young people throughout their childhood. A young person who used the serviced previously reports, 'To all my lovely friends at (the home) thank you so much for looking after me over the years. I will miss you all so much.'

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This inspection

Leaders and managers routinely make good use of the home's monitoring activities to raise standards and improve outcomes for young people. The performance of the home is monitored effectively in way that promotes the smooth and efficient 3 of 5 operation of the home. Consequently, young people benefit from a short break service that is managed effectively.

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This inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations from the previous inspection. Significant incidents are rare. However, if they do occur they are reported to the appropriate authorities promptly, to ensure appropriate action is taken by the home and other professionals following the occurrence of a significant event. As a result, young people benefit from good support and protection.

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This inspection

There are no issues with young people going missing from care. However, should they do, there are effective procedures and arrangements to promote their quick and safe return. There have been no complaints or restraints since the last inspection. Young people's behaviours are managed safely and any issues raised about the service are quickly resolved and acted upon. The manager routinely reviews feedback received about the service to improve the performance of the home.

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This inspection

Careful thought and consideration is given to the needs of young people who are placed at the home. This ensures young people who are placed together are suitably matched. However, should the need arise to care for young people separately, then the home is able to provide young people with additional support to meet their identified needs. This ensures young people with more complex needs and behaviours benefit from the help and support they may need. For example, one to one support from dedicated staff.

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This inspection

Young people benefit from well planned and designed, comfortable and homely accommodation. Specialist equipment and adaptation's ensure young people's needs arising from disability are positively identified and met. The accommodation provided for young people is safe and the home is consistently maintained to high quality standards for young people. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children's home that provides short breaks for up to six young people with physical and learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2015 Full outstanding 25/03/2014 Interim not judged 21/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 07/03/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.

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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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