Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC404596 Inspection date 18/01/2012 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 22/09/2011 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 home is part of a residential college which is part of a large private care organisation. The service is registered to accommodate 56 young people who are aged 15 to 19 years old. All young people have a communication difficulty and may be diagnosed within the autistic spectrum disorder or Asperger's syndrome. The school is registered with the Department for Education.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in September 2011, the overall effectiveness rating for the service was judged to be good. Four requirements and three recommendations were made. All these matters have been either fully or partially addressed.

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Progress

The requirement for the providers to appoint and put forward a Registered Manager has been fully met with the Registered Manager’s application being approved by Ofsted in January 2012.

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Progress

A requirement was made at the last inspection to ensure that young people accommodated in the home are provided, at all reasonable times, with access to a telephone on which to make and receive calls without reference to persons working at the home. This requirement has been met fully. A telephone is available in the main reception area and can be used throughout the day and night. In addition, young people have access to hands free telephones within the residential units. Young people have a wide variety of options for contacting and communicating with friends, families and professionals.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has partially complied with the requirement made at the last inspection relating to arrangements for the recording of any medicines. This is with particular regard to drug errors. The procedure has been revised and the administrative processes are currently being reviewed. Additionally, staff have undertaken additional medication training. All staff will have been trained by February 2012.

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Progress

The requirement to take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, with reference to regular fire safety checks, has been fully addressed. The fire safety officer has re- evaluated the policy and procedure and all the staff have completed fire safety training. Daily fire checks are rigorous and consistent.

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Progress

A recommendation was made, to ensure that young people’s wishes and feelings are sought and taken into account in relation to their health care plans. The providers have consulted with young people and are implementing a revised system to meet health care needs. The health care plans have been revised; young people are contributing to their own plans and some young people are now able to administer their own medication.

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Progress

A recommendation was made to ensure medicines which are kept in the home are stored safely with reference to the unlocked refrigerator. This has been met fully, with the purchase of a new lockable fridge.

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Progress

Young people report that they are ‘happy’ and benefit from a diverse range of social and educational activities. They report that they feel ‘listened’ to and that the Registered Manager understands their needs and ensures that they are treated with respect and as ‘young adults’.

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Progress

Record keeping is detailed, comprehensive and well organised. However, young people’s records are not all securely managed, to ensure sufficient confidentiality. One area of improvement relates to the storage and management of young people’s records being strengthened.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy good health and the home ensures that they attend appointments with appropriate healthcare professionals. Young people’s health is maintained in line with their individual plans, ensuring that their physical, emotional and mental health needs are fully met. An area for future development is the need to provide training on specific health issues which affect individual young people. The service has appointed a health promotion worker. The addition of a specialist health worker will enable young people to benefit from improved health outcomes and improved quality of care

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Progress

All young people have educational placements including vocational and college placements. Education is provided both within the home’s own educational facilities and in the wider community. Young people are assisted in making a positive transition to semi-independence and adulthood. The staff team plays an active and positive role in this transition period.

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Progress

The service works with other agencies concerned with child protection. Young people are safeguarded and benefit from effective and diligent checks. However, responsibility for the arrangement of precautionary medicals is unclear and is not reflected under the home’s procedures.

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Progress

There have been improvements in the décor of the home; young people have benefited from redecoration of their living areas. There is a clear plan in place for ongoing improvements in and around the home.

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Progress

There is clear commitment from the management and staff team within the home to improve outcomes and raise the standard of care for the young people. The home is showing signs of capacity to improve. The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. The new Registered Manager is clear about the developments and improvements necessary to ensure that young people receive excellent standards of care.

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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 the record mentioned in paragraph (1) shall be kept securely in the children’s home so long as the child to whom it relates is accommodated there. (Regulation 28 (3) (a)) 29/02/2012

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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 the registered person and staff work effectively in partnership with other agencies concerned with child protection, for example, the responsible authority with regards to precautionary medicals without the consent of the local authority (NMS 4.7)  ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting, and training keeps them up-to-date with professional, legal and practice developments and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the home. (NMS 18.1)

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