Children's Home run by Care Haven (UK) 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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection some members of the staff have left, which has left the home with a reduced staff team. The manager has been working on shift to compensate for this which means that he has been unable to undertake thoroughly and effectively many management tasks. Although the requirement made at the last inspection has been met, very limited progress has been on the recommendation. This was to ensure that the staff should access training on the quality standards and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. The manager and staff have a very limited knowledge of this legislation and have not accessed the training events and information provided through, for example, the Department of Education quality standards website.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although young people were making good progress at the last inspection, this has now stalled. The manager has a good understanding of the reasons for this, which is linked to decisions made by the placing authorities. Although the manager has ensured that the young people have access to a Children’s Rights Worker and advocacy, he has not escalated his concerns sufficiently high enough within the placing authorities. This means that some young people are in a period of transition which is becoming protracted. One young person is not attending school regularly and therefore progress is limited. The transitory nature of at least two of the placements means that making alternative arrangements is challenging and young people are reluctant to engage.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of young people going missing from the home are limited but there are concerns about one young person whose risks are increasing due to the nature of some the activities she is engaging in and the people she is with. The manager is working pro-actively with a range of agencies but progress is limited. Return home interviews are offered and taken up by the young people, but any information gained is not shared with the manager and staff, this reduces their effectiveness. The manager was not aware that this information should be shared.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager undertakes internal monitoring on a monthly basis. He measures the activity against the previous regulations. This means that there is no analysis of practice and no evidence that this activity is improving the care provided. He has been unable to develop any other form of monitoring to measure the progress of young people. He submits the forms to Ofsted on a monthly basis which is not necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The external visitor reports are detailed and it is clear that she spends a considerable amount of time at the home, talking to the staff, young people and their families. However the visits are always announced and the reports do not provide an independent opinion on whether children are effectively safeguarded or if the conduct of the home promotes children’s wellbeing. The visitor makes appropriate recommendations, however some of which are not actioned within the timescales set, which minimises their effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no significant events, complaints or incidents of restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people remain satisfied with the care they receive, enjoy living at the home and describe staff as ‘brilliant.’ They enjoy a range of activities including shopping, swimming and going to the cinema. They have some grumbles which relate to the consequences of group living and boundaries imposed in order to keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of requirements and recommendations have been made at this inspection. These relate to the management tasks which have not been addressed which are linked to the manager’s lack of a full understanding of the impact of the Children’s Homes Regulations and quality standards introduced last year.

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Information about this children's home

This section should outline:  This is a private children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to five children or young people with emotional and/or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2014 CH - Interim Good Progress What does the children's home need to do to improve?

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Recent inspection history

Requirements Requirement Due date The Registered Person must challenge the placing authority to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's relevant plans, specifically in relation to the appropriateness of one plan and the slow progress in relation to another (Regulation 5 (c ) 30 Apr 2016

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Recent inspection history

The Leadership and management Standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the Registered person must ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child 31 May 2016

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Recent inspection history

The Leadership and management Standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the Registered Person must develop and use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home 31 Apr 2016

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Recent inspection history

The Registered Person must ensure that the independent person must produce a report about a visit, which sets out in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether- children are effectively safeguarded: and the conduct of the home promotes children's wellbeing. Regulation 44 (4) (a) (b) 31 Apr 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):  The Registered Person should decide what each internal review should focus on, based on the specific circumstances of the home at that particular time and any areas of high risk to the children. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (Guide to the quality standards page 45 9.30)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. Specifically; training in relation to the Quality Standards and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 (Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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