Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC068076 Inspection date 04/01/2012 Inspector Dorrit Andrews Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/07/2011 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 children’s home provides short-term placements and is owned and run by the local Children's Services Department. It is registered for two young people aged eight to 17 years.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in July 2011, the overall quality rating for the home was judged as good and given two recommendations.

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Progress

The home demonstrates continued improvement in its leadership and management and the quality of care provided. In response to the previous inspection, a programme of redecoration has taken place and new floor covering is planned for the conservatory. Carpets and soft furnishings have been cleaned and new floor covering has been laid in the entrance hall. As a result, the home provides a more welcoming and homely environment to young people. A great deal of work has been undertaken in compiling and progressing the home's service development plan for the next year. The plan has been compiled following recent and robust evaluation of specific areas of practice. Its overall aim is to enable the staff team to be more efficient, consistent and focused to achieve better outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Areas identified for improvement in the development plan are progressing well and include the now monthly attendance of a member of the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services team at staff meetings. These sessions support staff in their individual work with young people, thereby promoting consistency of approach. A revised format has been developed for recording supervision sessions and evidencing casework undertaken by key workers. The manager reports the changes provide him with an improved overview of casework, and ensures care planning remains focused. Similarly, a revised format for recording key worker sessions with young people provides measurable outcomes through improved evidenced based recording. Development discussions have taken place with staff to support these revisions and have been positively embraced. Changes have also been made in relation to residents' meetings to ensure young people's views and suggestions are timely and

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Progress

appropriately responded to. These changes also ensure young people's views are encouraged and valued.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit greatly from the individualised care and support they receive. They continue to enjoy good relationships with staff, benefit from adults who care about them and make good progress as a result. The team has recently received high praise for work undertaken to prepare and support a young person's move to their next placement. Young people confirm that they feel able to talk to staff if they are worried or concerned, and that they generally feel safe. They report they are consulted and are able to contribute to the running of the home and planning for their future. Their views and those of significant others in their lives continue to be valued, both during and post placement, and are used to consolidate and develop the home's practice further.

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Progress

The staff team has continued to develop since the period of restructuring highlighted at the previous inspection. Attendance at recent training events by individuals has been cascaded across the team and time is now regularly set aside in team meetings to share examples of good practice. The home's manager is about to commence further professional training which will also support him in his role as manager. Specific areas of responsibility are being developed and designated across the staff team to aid individual development and the smooth running of the home on a daily basis. Staff have a positive view of the improvements and developments being made and their impact on young people and the operation of the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, work has also been undertaken with other managers within the organisation to evaluate and consolidate effective aspects of recording and practice. As a result, changes have been introduced to the recording of health matters within the home for ease of reference and monitoring. The manager now conducts a monthly audit of the home's recording systems and delegation of tasks; this is in addition to the completion of Schedule 6 monitoring reports. The monthly audit report is shared with the team and is being used to reinforce expectations in relation to the day-to-day functioning of the home and positively promote consistency.

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Progress

The manager demonstrates a clear and highly active commitment to the development of a high quality service to promote and achieve positive outcomes for young people. Staff remain highly committed to their role and provide clear and consistent boundaries and positive engagement to enable young people to develop and progress.

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