Children's home run by Elizabeth Marland Children’s Respite Care Limited in Trafford

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home required improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has taken appropriate action to address the eight requirements made at the last inspection. For example, the registered manager has taken action to improve health and safety arrangements in the home. Fire safety systems have been assessed and remedial action taken following recommendations for improvement. Personal evacuation plans have also been reviewed and are now more personalised to each individual young person. This ensures that the welfare and safety of young people are more robust.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, improvements made include ensuring that all staff have read and signed risk assessments to show that they understand them. Staff recruitment files now contain full and satisfactory information. This ensures that young people receive safe care from staff who have undergone suitable checks. In addition, having two separate files ensures that there is a clear distinction between allegations and complaints. This provides a clear audit trail from which to assess that appropriate safeguarding procedures have been followed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The company has purchased the property next door to the home and has registered this with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as an adult provision. This means that it can extend placements to those young adults who are ready for moving on and ensure continuity of care. Since the last inspection, one young person has moved across to the new home and has settled exceptionally well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose has been reviewed to include the range of placements provided. The home continues to provide care for young people with complex health needs who have short breaks, including day care at the home, alongside young people who live in the home. Young people continue to be well cared for by staff who know them well and have a good understanding of their individual needs. A parent said, ‘I trust EAM… they provide the best care possible… we rest knowing he is there… communication is brilliant.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and appraisal of staff. The training matrix has been updated to demonstrate that the staff have the right skills and knowledge to care for young people with complex health needs. Internal monitoring processes have been strengthened since the last inspection. The management team meets every Monday morning in order to review and reflect on the previous week. In addition, the clinical matron is addressing any administrative errors through regular auditing and reviewing of the records. These practices ensure a culture of driving improvement within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the last inspection, there was an activities coordinator in place to help plan and organise young people’s activities. Currently there is no-one in this post, however, young people enjoy a range of activities both at home and in the local community. This is in line with young people’s wishes, feelings and individual needs. For example, one young person is now going to weekly dance classes, while two other young people regularly go to watch their favourite rugby team. One social worker said, ‘They [staff] allow her the opportunity to take risks, including running around and playing; this has meant her coordination has much improved.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers, parents and other professionals report that the manager and staff provide excellent care and support young people’s individual needs well. Comments include, ‘I am pleased that our joint plan has worked’, ‘when he stays with you your staff monitor him very closely… he looks forward to his stay’, ‘he is always happy to arrive and looks lovely, clean, tidy and happy when I pick him up’, ‘communication is good… they[staff] facilitate contact and are very supportive of contact’. The manager and staff team are fully committed to their roles and ensure high standards of care for each young person.

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is privately owned and provides care for up to eight children who may have sensory impairment, physical and/or learning disabilities. The home is registered to care for up to two children under short-break arrangements and a further six children on a permanent basis. The home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/10/2015 Full Good 25/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 that 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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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