Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

Unique reference number SC039025 Inspection date 19/01/2012 Inspector Philip Cass Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/10/2011 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

The home is run by the local authority and registered to provide care and accommodation for six young people of either sex. The home offers care and accommodation for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 full inspection in October 2011, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was judged to be satisfactory.

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Progress

Staff and management at the home have worked hard to secure measurable improvements since the last inspection. As a result, young people are kept safe and are well cared for.

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Progress

Five requirements and four recommendations were made at the last inspection. These matters have been fully addressed.

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Progress

The registered persons were required to ensure that young people are interviewed during Regulation 33 visits. Records of recent visits demonstrate that young people are routinely spoken to and that their views are recorded and acted upon, where appropriate. This has improved quality assurance systems in the home.

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Progress

Management of the home was also required to make all notifications to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, as required by regulation. The home has been quick to address this issue. All notifications are now made and the safety of young people in the home is improved as a result.

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Progress

Two requirements were set in relation to physical restraint: a requirement that staff ensure that measures of restraint take place only in accordance with the criteria set out in regulation; and a requirement to ensure that incidents of restraint are fully recorded. Records of restraint provide clear evidence that all restraint is now appropriate. Furthermore, incidents of restraint are clearly recorded. Therefore, the action taken in relation to restraint promotes the safety of young people and ensures that there is no ambiguity as to the reason why a restraint took place.

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Progress

The home was also required to improve the way in which financial sanctions are imposed on young people. Because financial penalties for poor behaviour are no longer imposed, sanctions are fairer and now relate more directly to the objective of reducing unacceptable behaviour.

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Progress

The recommendation, to ensure that information about a child is recorded clearly, has been met. Information kept on the young people’s files is now legible and easier to read. This benefits young people who wish to access their files now or in the future.

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Progress

The second recommendation asked staff to ensure that prescribed medication is only given in accordance with the prescription. This recommendation is met because staff and management are now vigilant in ensuring that medication is not dispensed unless a pharmacy label is attached. Consequently, young people benefit from safe medication administration procedures.

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Progress

The registered person was asked to ensure that physical restrictions on normal movement within the home are not used unless necessary. An automatic door- closing system has been installed in the home. As a result, normal movement around the home is now allowed. The system also strengthens fire safety procedures in the home because the door closes automatically in the event of a fire.

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Progress

The final recommendation related to the way that staff communicated with young people. The home was asked to ensure that young people were given sufficient information to be able to understand why their wishes or concerns have not been acted upon. Young people state that, while they do not always agree with decisions taken, they are now given an explanation of why these decisions are made. Staff consider the best interests of the young people before making key decisions. A strength of the service is the way in which these decisions are explained to young people in an assertive, but sensitive manner.

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Progress

The manager and staff are committed to continual improvement. To support this improvement, they have developed an ‘improvement plan’ for the home. This document identifies areas of weakness in a frank manner, and sets clear targets for improving the service. Good progress is being made towards achieving these targets. A social worker noted that the staff do a, ‘remarkable job’ in meeting the complex needs of the young people in the home.

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Progress

A core objective of the home is to improve standards of behaviour. The introduction of daily planners is a significant stride towards setting high expectations of the young people and encouraging positive behaviour. The daily planners provide improved structure and routine for young people. These support participation in meaningful activities, promote educational attendance, and support the development of life skills. The young people that adhere to their daily plans experience a sense of achievement and increased self-esteem.

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