Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC359832 Inspection date 12/01/2012 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/10/2011 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 setting is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a private organisation.

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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 the service was judged as being good. Positive work has occurred in the home since this time and this has ensured that the home has maintained the quality of provision.

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Progress

Positive action has been taken in response to a recommendation made from the last inspection about the need to monitor records of incidents and to take immediate action in relation to these. There are now strong systems in place for the monitoring of records by management. This ensures that any problems can be identified quickly. Good systems for communication between staff in the home ensure that all staff are clear about issues relating to specific incidents. These include regular team meetings, handovers and supervision sessions. As a result of this, staff are able to respond effectively in a crisis and appropriately to young people's changing needs. Positive action has also been taken in response to the need to create a system to notify appropriate authorities within 24 hours of the occurrence of significant events, in accordance with Regulation 30. This ensures that all the relevant authorities are

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Progress

made aware of significant events to ensure that young people's safety and well-being is protected.

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Progress

Staff continue to encourage good behaviour and a sense of right and wrong, and young people are generally positive about their relationships with staff. One young person said, 'I like playing football with staff.' This young person also said that staff respected their privacy. All young people are making good progress with their individual goals. For example, one young person receives good staff support to attend a number of social groups outside the home. This has allowed this young person to develop healthy peer relationships and improve their social skills. Close, caring and professional support from staff has allowed all young people to make good progress in terms of their education. All young people continue to follow a full educational programme which ensures that they are well educated and supported to reach their full potential. Young people have also made good progress in developing skills for independence. This has been achieved through staff engaging young people

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Progress

in meaningful life skills programmes. This helps them to gain confidence, self respect and to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to help them lead happy and fulfilling lives in the future.

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Progress

There has been a continued staff learning and development programme. This has included a range of training for staff including sessions on restraint and de- escalation, autism, first aid, food hygiene, equality and diversity, communication and fire safety training. This positive approach to staff development helps to ensure that young people are cared for by competent and knowledgeable staff, who have the skills to meet their complex needs and keep them safe and secure.

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