Children's home SC386936

Unique reference number SC386936 Inspector Mark Kersh Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person

Westmount Children's Home & Paramount Group Limited Registered person address 69 Watkin Lane Lostock Hall Preston Lancs PR5 5HA Responsible individual Ronald West Registered manager POST VACANT / Heath Adam Rourke Date of last inspection 09/07/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 09/03/2015

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Registered person

Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection None.

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

Following the last full inspection in July 2014 all of the young people are now over 18 years of age. The current group have lived in this home for some considerable time. They remain accommodated in this home while moving on plans and suitable placements can be identified, that will meet their specific individual needs.

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This inspection

Interim management arrangements have been in place following the last inspection and the manager was interviewed during this inspection for their suitability to become the Registered Manager.

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This inspection

At the last inspection five requirements were made of which four have been met. The home now has a written policy which is intended to safeguard young people. Information has also been sought in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults. This ensures should any concerns arise; staff have the relevant contact details to seek advice or report any suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities.

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This inspection

There are now effective procedures in place to manage young people’s medication, ensuring two staff sign the records when medication is administered. As a result, young people are given medication as prescribed for them at the correct time and in line with the instructions on the pharmacy label.

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This inspection

The home is clean and has been decorated and refurbished, including adding an adapted downstairs bedroom for young people who may have a disability affecting their mobility.

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This inspection

The reports by the independent person now seek the views of placing social workers and parents, in order to form an opinion and report on the standard of care provided to young people. Further improvements are needed in relation to the arrangements for monitoring the home by the manager. 3 of 7 The manager undertakes monthly monitoring and reviews of the quality of care provided to young people and produces reports. He has failed to ensure that the required matters to be monitored have been fully undertaken, in line with regulatory changes. The manager has also failed to ensure that copies of such reports have been sent in to Ofsted at the required intervals. This undermines Ofsted's ability to have oversight of the quality of care being provided to the young people or to take any necessary action. As a result, a requirement has been made.

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This inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made and these have been met. Although no young people have been accommodated since the last inspection the manager has devised a new compatibility risk assessment. This takes into account the impact any new referrals may have on the existing group of young people. Although restraint is never used in this home, with the current group of young people, all staff have now completed training in the use of safe restraint techniques, which protects young people and staff.

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This inspection

Staff are extremely committed to the young people and speak very highly of them. They provide a very caring and nurturing approach which suits all of the young people’s needs well. Staff have positive relationships with the young people and help them to explore their feelings and develop in their emotional wellbeing. For example, there are regular key working sessions and more informal support, which are tailored around the young people’s specific needs and complex disabilities. This supports young people well and teaches them about safety issues, such as the impact of their behaviour on others. This then impacts positively on their overall progress.

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This inspection

All young people regularly attend education. Staff work closely with schools and colleges to support young people in their education placements. This ensures consistency is achieved within the home and at school or colleges, particularly around communication techniques used. There are no safeguarding concerns with the young people and they are never missing from this home. Young people’s behaviour is managed well by staff who knows them and who are able to recognise signs of distress and act accordingly to support young people.

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This inspection

The home is not operating as a children’s home as it is providing care and accommodation wholly for adults. There has not been a written response received by Ofsted from the organisation, as requested by the 12 December 2014. As a result a requirement has been made. This is to ensure the home can demonstrate to Ofsted how they propose to continue to accommodate young adults within the children’s home and comply with the Care Standards Act 2000, part 1 section 2.

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This inspection

The Statement of Purpose has not been kept under review or revised to reflect the current accommodation arrangements. As a result a requirement has been made, to ensure this document is clear about the aims and objectives of the home and what services and facilities it provides. 4 of 7 Most young people do not have a pathway plan showing clear arrangements for their transition into adult services or any future placement that is to be identified for them for moving on from this home. As a result a recommendation has been made, this is to ensure the staff and placing authority are clear about the future plans and the support young people will need.

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This inspection

The manager does not hold any child care qualifications and is unable to provide evidence of any management qualifications. The manager is enrolled on the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and is due to commence this in April 2015. References have not been robustly sought by the organisation from this person’s previous employer. As a result, a requirement has been made. This is to ensure the home is managed ethically, effectively and efficiently, delivering a service which meets the needs of its users. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities. The home is privately owned and managed.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2014 Full adequate 21/01/2014 Interim good progress 10/07/2013 Full good 12/02/2013 Interim good progress

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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 Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) ensure a plan is provided to HMCI on how the home is to remain wholly and mainly a children's home (Care Standards Act 2000, part 1 section 2) 10/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

5 (2001) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and the children’s guide; in particular in relation to the adults currently accommodated in the home (Regulation 5 (a)) 10/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

8 (2001) ensure the manager has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary for managing the children’s home; and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 (Regulation 8. 2 (i) - (c) 10/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

34 shall establish and maintain a system for monitoring 10/04/2015 6 of 7 (2001) the matters set out in Schedule 6 at least once in every 3 months. (Regulation 34)

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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 the home contributes to the development of each child's care plan, including the pathway plan and works collaboratively with the young person's social worker or personal adviser in implementing the plan. (NMS 12.2) 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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