Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hopscotch Solutions Limited in Rutland

Unique reference number SC065071 Inspection date 06/01/2012 Inspector Suzanne Hogben Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/10/2011 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 is a privately owned residential special school that provides care and education to young people diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. The school cares for children for more than 295 days each year, therefore is registered as a children’s home. The home can accommodate up to 11 young people.

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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 last inspection in October 2011, the overall rating for the service was judged as outstanding with one requirement and three recommendations for areas identified for improvement.

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Progress

On the last inspection the restraint log was found to lack clear information about the effect and impact of any physical intervention. A new book for the purpose of recording restraints is now being used. This book is bound with numbered pages and allows for details regarding impact of intervention to be recorded and ensures clarity of information.

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Progress

A recommendation was also made in relation to restraint being used only for the prevention of harm or risk. The Registered Manager has ensured considerable development of practice in this area. Many of the indoor locks in the home are being removed, allowing young people free access to all parts of the home. Locks to the outside of the premises will remain to ensure safety of young people. The manager commented that this will encourage a more relaxed atmosphere in the home, with improved relationships between staff and the young people. Some excellent progress had been made in the care planning of one of the young people in the home, in relation to safety while on activities. As a result, this young person is now enjoying a wider range of experiences and outings which is improving his social development and creating positive outcomes.

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Progress

A recommendation was set on the previous inspection in relation to young people missing from home. The local protocol for young people missing from home and care is not currently available but the local police have advised the manager on procedures to be followed. Staff are aware of what to do if a young person goes missing.. Whilst waiting for the local protocol to be produced, the manager has ensured a thorough protocol is available in the home. The protocol is now fully implemented and includes advice from the police and local authority. Since the development of the protocol, one member of staff commented that there was a change in the way they worked with young people. The introduction of a policy for missing young people enables staff to be less anxious about the possibility of a young person going missing as the procedures ensures that young people can remain safe while enjoying a wider range of activities.

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Progress

A further recommendation was set concerning the personal allowance that young people receive in the home. The Registered Manager has ensured that each young person has age appropriate pocket money. The manager has backdated all of the pocket money for all young people resident in the home. Some of the young people now have a substantial sum of money and one young person is considering spending the money on a keyboard because he has an interest in music. This demonstrates the manager’s desire to continually improve the quality of care provided.

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Progress

A development plan is in place and is consistently reviewed by the manager. Advanced plans are in place for the building of new bedrooms. These plans will allow the development of daily living space for the young people and it is hoped will further enhance their living conditions. For example, it is hoped that the much used soft room, which young people use if they need to have quiet time, will be expanded. Training for staff is also being progressed, with a regular review of training needs. All new staff participate in a thorough induction programme with senior staff playing an integral part in the induction.

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Progress

Young people are positive about their care and relationships with staff are strong. Staff are knowledgeable about the young people and their needs. One young person was able to talk about his desire to have overnight stays at home and staff were able to help him understand why this was not currently possible. Staff work hard to ensure that consultation with young people is effective and it is used as part of the care planning process.

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Progress

The level of care provided to young people in this home is of a consistently high standard. The manager reviews and monitors the standards of care provided and uses recommendations from monitoring visits to revise and improve the level of care for young people. As a result young people in this home are safely cared for and are able to achieve impressive outcomes in their emotional development and stability.

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