Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Shropshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has developed in their practice since the last inspection. This has included improving the quality of service provided to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Five requirements and four recommendations were made at the last inspection. The manager has worked hard to address all of these areas for development, with the vast majority met. The recent change from a purely paper based recording system to a more computerised one is still being implemented and means records remain in a period of transition between the two systems.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Previous concerns relating to the lack of consideration given to supporting a young person who failed to interact with peers or staff has been addressed. The situation has improved and processes are in place to both examine their social time and encourage relationships. Improvements in planning have resulted in staff having a greater awareness of the young people and an improved consistency in care. All young people now have detailed health plans. This includes information regarding individualised health needs. This increased detail has enabled the staff to have a better awareness of how health matters should be responded to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New flooring in the dining area, display boards and a suite in the lounge have all helped to make the home increasingly comfortable. A change in the gas storage area now means that young people are no longer able to climb on the roof of the building, supporting their health and safety. Information regarding staff recruitment is now available and shows that all staff have checks completed prior to them starting at the home. This helps to support the safety of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent person visits on a monthly basis and helps to support the development of the home through recommending areas for development in practice. She now includes detailed discussions with stakeholders, including social workers and parents. There has also been an increase in the detail of discussions with young people since the last inspection. This further helps the management team to monitor the home‟s quality of care. Medication records have improved. A new recording sheet is in place, and staff have received training in the safe administration of medication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all of the young people were attending school on a full-time basis at the last inspection. The staff have worked hard to enlist the support of a range of agencies to help with this situation. This has resulted in a co-ordinated pack of educational support being put in place for one young person. This has led to an increase in school attendance, with a move closer to full-time. Further engagement with alternative schooling is being examined to continue this increase in academic achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records relating to restraints have developed. However, the use of the new computerised system has meant that the registered manager is not consistently checking the records within the necessary timescale. Young people are now able to input their comments regarding restraints more independently, although there is a lack of clear cross-referencing to link the young people‟s comments to the specific restraint record.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The workforce plan has had some improvement, but still does not include up to date information relating to training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have become increasingly settled and developed positive relationships with the staff team since the last inspection. Some young people have developed their involvement with a local football team, with an increase in their social activities around this. Most of the young people have increased their contact with their family and consequently, have additional contact organised for over the Christmas period.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has improved their stance towards personal health, attending health appointments and taking medication. This is a significant step forwards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has left the home since the last inspection. The move followed an increasingly challenging period for the young person. The manager sort the support of a range of services including the police and social workers. Unfortunately, the young person increased risks meant a move to a new placement could not be avoided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is currently working on the most recent six monthly review of the home. The previous report gave a clear picture of how the home had changed due to the new admissions and the challenges that this brought for the staff team. The manager states that the mixture of computer and paper records will make the analysis of the last six months more challenging, but he is able to discuss how young people have moved forwards in many aspects.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have responded to concerns relating to bullying behaviours, challenging negative behaviours and supporting others. Risk assessments and behaviour management strategies further support the welfare of young people. A social worker highlighted that the home works well with other agencies, stating that „Communication is great, they always keep me up to date with things that I need to know.‟

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children‟s home for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Good 20/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/09/2014 Full Good

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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 ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate (Regulation 35 (b)) 06/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that children are in full-time education whilst they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained within the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. The home must aim to support full time attendance at school unless the child's relevant plan indicates this is not in their best interests. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 28, paragraph 5.14)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the registered person have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home's manager. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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

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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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