Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC037454 Inspection date 12/01/2012 Inspector Paul Taylor / Kevin Whatley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/08/2011 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 a five bedded mixed gender children's home for young people between the ages of 12 and under 17 years old who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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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, carried out in August 2011, the home was judged to be outstanding. Two recommendations were made relating to deep cleaning or replacement of a carpet and ensuring that sanctions imposed on the young people were evaluated to ensure they were appropriate and effective.

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Progress

The home has reviewed sanctions which are imposed on the young people. Individual behaviour management plans ensure that any sanctions and rewards are relevant to each young person. This process has been very carefully planned and carried out to a high standard, and has led to a decrease in sanctions imposed. 'They are fair to us', was a comment made by a young person. The effectiveness of sanctions is reviewed in team meetings and by key workers. Young people are also actively involved in the development of their care plans and strategies to be used to enable them to maintain positive behaviour. This ensures young people are involved feel they have an input in their care.

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Progress

The home has completed a deep clean of the carpet to the stairs leading to the first floor although this has been ineffective and the carpet remains stained and unsightly. A requirement has been made for the home to ensure that the carpet is replaced.

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Progress

The home has continued to develop practice and the service it provides. The staff team provide support and guidance to young people who have moved on to new placements such as semi-independence units. This outreach service ensures that the young people continue to feel valued and have adults to whom they can turn if they feel they need support.

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Progress

Additionally, the home is providing support to both the young people and their families to enable positive contact. This has taken the form of members of staff visiting family homes with the young people and enabling parents and the young person to develop plans and agreements to ensure that home visits and longer stays can have a better chance of success. Eventually, in some cases, this enables a better chance for the young person to return home to live.

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Progress

The approach operated by the home is ensuring that any progress made by young people while they live there can be consolidated and maintained when they eventually leave.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by the children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (2) (e) ) 30/03/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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