Children's Home, Residential special school run by Mayne Enterprises Limited in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC413992 Inspection date 24/11/2011 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This service is registered with Ofsted to provide education and care to a maximum of 11 young people. It is a small privately owned independent residential school and children's home for young people aged 10 to 19 years who have emotional and behavioural difficulties, often combined with moderate learning difficulties. There is education on site.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

The children’s home is maintaining and improving the standards of care in all areas. The registered providers have taken positive action to address the shortfalls in relation to staff recruitment and to visiting contractors which were identified at the last inspection. This means that young people are protected from harm and that suitable people are employed to work in the home. Positive action has also been taken in relation to the recording of sanctions and incidents of restraint. Comprehensive and accurate records are maintained of such incidents and this helps to keep young people safe.

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Progress

Young people have a positive experience of living in the home. They share positive relationships with staff and this helps them to develop positive behaviour. Young people say they feel safe and are listened to. They have each been able to choose their own pet which is a fish for the home's new fish tank having requested this at a house meeting. This has helped young people to feel valued and helped them to develop skills in caring for a pet. Staff are motivated and enthusiastic and say that they are well supported by management. This helps to ensure that young people are cared for in a professional way.

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Progress

Staff say that learning and development is valued and there has been lots on training recently. Recent training has included counselling and listening skills, health and safety and supervision skills. There have been regular staff meetings and supervision for staff. This has helped to ensure that staff have a consistent and reflective approach to practice.

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Progress

There is a clear development plan for the service and the registered providers are enthusiastic about its implementation. For example, there have been many very positive environmental improvements since the last inspection including a new large office for staff, a computer room for young people and a new meeting room. The whole building is undergoing extensive work in line with recommendations from the local fire service including fire resistant walls and fire doors. There is a new shower room and the school building has been re-developed to a high standard. All of these measures help to ensure that young people live in a pleasant and safe environment.

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