Children's Home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC035976 Inspection date 25/01/2012 Inspector Catherine Ross Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/05/2011 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 children's home is registered to a local authority. The home can accommodate up to four young people aged between 10 and 17 years with 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

A full inspection was carried out in May 2011 and the home was given an overall effectiveness judgement of satisfactory. One requirements and four recommendations were made as a result of the last inspection. This inspection judged progress made since the full inspection.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued improvement in quality of care and positive outcomes for young people. There is a clear and focused commitment to service development. This has included managers evaluating, embedding and enhancing the current level of service; and progressing the internal service development plan which has been recently updated. This has resulted in improved outcomes for young people. The home's Statement of Purpose has been updated with any changes to the provision and to reflect the changes to the National Minimum Standards for Children's homes.

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Progress

There have been developments in methods used to consult with young people. Young people confirm they feel listened to and that they can discuss any issues in regular young people's meeting. Staff and young people have developed a system of using adhesive notes to note items for discussion which has proved more popular than using a traditional agenda system. This more interactive way of conducting young people's meetings has led to young people being more enthusiastic about attending and taking part. Young people enjoy taking turns in writing the minutes. Issues raised at the meetings such as the purchase of a new interactive game for the computer console are treated seriously. Measures such as this provide excellent ways of consulting with young people and giving them the opportunity to have their voices heard.

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Progress

The home is effectively and efficiently managed. A service development plan is in place which appropriately challenges the organisation to continue to make improvements in the quality of provision. There has been a significant remodelling and redecoration in the lounge and dining room area of the home. This change makes the home environment more homely and enjoyable to spend time in. Other areas of the home are at a satisfactory level of decoration and are listed on the home's development plan for ongoing maintenance and redecoration. Staff are well supported by the manager and staff supervision sessions have increased since the last inspection. Staff are motivated and clearly understand their roles. They have had the opportunity to discuss and learn about recent changes to the national minimum standards. Managers make good used of monitoring activities to improve the quality of care young people receive. Recording of restraints is not in line with regulation.

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Progress

Records are missing important information such as the time and location of the restraint as well as measures taken to avoid the use of the measure. Inaccuracies such as these could put young people at risk of harm.

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Progress

Young people have a good relationship with care staff and respond well to their praise and encouragement. Young people confirm they feel safe living at the home and are appropriately protected by staff when other young people struggle with challenging behaviour. Measures such as key working sessions and informal conversations with young people help them to understand how to keep themselves safe. Young people who are becoming ready for independent living are encouraged by staff to take responsibility for their own health, for example, by attendance at a dentist appointment without staff support. There is a commitment to improving outcomes for young people and staff are able to reflect on the progress young people have made during their time in the home.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of restraint, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include the time and location of the use of the measure (Regulation 17b (3) (d) 25/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure where a measure of restraint is used on a child the record includes details of any methods used to avoid the need to use that measure. (Regulation 17b (4) (b)) 25/02/2012

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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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