Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC042147 Inspection date 19/01/2012 Inspector Paul Taylor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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

The home is run by a private organisation. It is registered to accommodate up to six young people of either gender who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and who are unable, for the moment, to live in a family setting. The home aims to support young people to return to family, move to foster carers or to move on to independent accommodation.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection which was carried out in October 2011 the home was judged as good. At that inspection the home was asked to ensure that some key records, such as the Statement of Purpose and the sanctions and notifications of significant events to external agencies, were more accurate. The home was also asked to ensure that staff induction was up to date with current standards and to ensure that all members of staff received regular supervision. It was also asked to ensure that young people's views were included in the monthly Regulation 33 monitoring visits.

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Progress

Since the last inspection most of these shortfalls have been addressed, however, by not addressing all the requirements the home has made inadequate progress. The Statement of Purpose has been updated, the recording of sanctions is now completed in a timely manner and the deputy manager oversees a system to ensure that key records are monitored and kept up to date. Supervision and support is now received by all members of staff on a regular basis.

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Progress

While new members of staff undertake the organisation's induction process, this is not compatible with the Children's workforce Development Council's induction standards and has not been updated since the last inspection. This recommendation continues.

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Progress

Additionally, monitoring visits as required under Regulation 33 have not been taking place on a consistent or regular basis. This means that young people have not been able to voice their opinions to the external visitor, on the care they have been receiving. This was a requirement made at the last inspection. The lack of external monitoring also means that quality assurance of care provided is not robustly assessed and potential shortfalls in care not identified in a formal and evidenced manner by the organisation.

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Progress

Some of the young people have not been engaging with the staff team to follow their care plans. For example, there is non compliance with school attendance or in participating in independence development. This has led to a lack of positive and enriching routine and structure in the young people's daily lives. Despite hard work and patience shown by the staff team, the strategies in engaging these young people have been ineffective.

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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) review the strategies to ensure that the educational achievement of children accommodated in a children's home is promoted, in particular by ensuring that the routine of the home is organised so as to further children's participation in school activities where children are of compulsory school age, or in regular attendance at college where applicable (Regulation 18 (1) (b) ) 24/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) review the strategies to ensure that where any child has attained the age where he is no longer required to receive compulsory full time education, the registered person assists with the making of, and gives effect to, the arrangements made for his education, training and employment (Regulation 18 (3) ) 24/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that visits required under Regulation 33 shall take place at least once a month and may be unannounced. (Regulation 33 (3) ) 09/02/2012

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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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Recommendations

 ensure new staff undertake the Children's Workforce Development Council's induction standards within seven working days of starting their employment and complete them within six months. (NMS 18.3)

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