Ofsted says Workington short-breaks home The Elms needs to improve Ofsted rates Workington short-breaks home The Elms as requires improvement
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
Ofsted has told The Elms in Workington, a short-breaks home for kids with learning disabilities, it needs to improve after a September visit. The provider and the council say they're on it.
If your family uses short breaks for a child with learning disabilities, or you follow children's care round here, this one's for you.
The Elms in Workington, run by West Cumbria Care and Support, takes up to four children with learning disabilities for short breaks. Ofsted spent two days there in early September and rated it requires improvement to be good on kids' experiences, how they're kept safe, and leadership.
Inspectors said leadership shortfalls had "adversely affected children's experiences and safety during their stay". Bosses knew about some of it, but plans to fix the home, the kids' plans and oversight weren't "actioned promptly". Some staff felt poorly supported and said communication about who was staying was ropey.
There was good stuff too: kids enjoy activities with each other, staff listen to them, and some families spoke well of the care. Ofsted wants medicines only given to the right child at the right times, and independent visitors to properly check safeguarding, including asking the children. The requirements were meant to be in by 31 October.
The provider said: "We know that families place enormous trust in us when their child comes to The Elms for a short break, and we are sorry that aspects of the service identified by Ofsted did not meet the standards they should expect from us." They're working on leadership, planning, communication, the building and safety.
Cumberland Council, which commissions it, says it's met the provider several times, social workers have visited, and the home is still open while they keep an eye on progress.
What can you do? Raise worries with the provider or your social worker, and look up the inspection on Ofsted's Find an inspection report pages when it's listed.
Ofsted has rated The Elms, a Workington short-breaks home for children with learning disabilities run by West Cumbria Care and Support, as requires improvement to be good after a September inspection. The provider and Cumberland Council say improvement work is under way.
This matters to families who use short breaks for children with learning disabilities in West Cumbria, and to anyone following children's social care commissioned by Cumberland Council.
The Elms, operated by Workington-based West Cumbria Care and Support, provides short-break care for up to four children with learning disabilities. Ofsted inspectors visited over two days in early September and rated the service as requires improvement to be good across children's overall experiences and progress, how well they are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
The report said shortfalls in leadership and management had "adversely affected children's experiences and safety during their stay". Leaders knew about some of the problems, but plans to improve the home environment, children's plans and management oversight were "not actioned promptly". Some staff said they did not feel well supported and described poor communication about which children stay at the home.
Inspectors also noted positives: children enjoy spending time with peers and activities, staff respect children's views and choices, and some families gave positive feedback. Ofsted made two formal recommendations on medicines being given only to the child they are prescribed for, at the specified times, and on independent visitors making a rigorous safeguarding assessment, including obtaining children's views. Requirements in the report were due to be implemented by Saturday 31 October.
West Cumbria Care and Support said: "We know that families place enormous trust in us when their child comes to The Elms for a short break, and we are sorry that aspects of the service identified by Ofsted did not meet the standards they should expect from us." It said it accepts the findings and is strengthening leadership, planning, communication, the home environment and safety standards.
A Cumberland Council spokeswoman said that where a commissioned service is rated requires improvement to be good, the council works with the provider on the improvement plan and monitors progress. Social work teams have visited the home. The service remains open.
What you can do: families with concerns can raise them with the provider or their social worker, and anyone can read inspection findings via Ofsted's Find an inspection report service when the report is listed.