Children's Home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

Unique reference number SC038500 Inspection date 01/02/2012 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/10/2011 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 home is operated by the local authority. The home can accommodate up to four children and young people.

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Progress

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

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Progress

This home was judged to be outstanding at the last inspection. Two requirements and two recommendations with regards to restraint recording, notifications to Ofsted, seeking the views of children following incidents and having a policy regarding electronic monitoring devices were raised. The manager has ensured that these requirements and recommendations have been addressed and fully met.

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Progress

Restraint recording continues to be effective. Inappropriate reasons for restraint cannot be recorded in the systems used by the home. A senior member of the care staff, qualified to teach the restraint method used by the home, regularly monitors these records, in addition to the manager. The staff team are regularly updated and refreshed on their knowledge and understanding of physical intervention and managing challenging incidents. This in turn ensures that behaviour management is consistently applied and safely used.

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Progress

There have been no events requiring notification to Ofsted since the last inspection. However, the manager has ensured that the staff team have a better understanding of notifying relevant bodies, if these events occur. Staff are now much clearer on the events which require notification and are able to consult with senior staff if the manager is not on duty.

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Progress

The views of children are now actively sought following all incidents in the home. This supports the manager in monitoring the effectiveness of sanctions, restraint and any incidents where a young person has displayed challenging behaviour. This has helped to further promote consultation with children and has led to children developing, in negotiation with the staff team, their own positive behaviour reward systems.

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Progress

The manager has developed a policy regarding the use of bedroom door alarms. This means that children, staff, parents and placing authorities are now much clearer about the home's use of such measures. All children are made aware of the devices when they arrive at the home.

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Progress

There have been significant changes to the home's approach to equality and diversity. Children benefit from a staff team who are skilled in educating them about beliefs and different cultures. Children are increasing their awareness of the world through excellent resources used in the home. These include simple yet effective games, a multifaith calendar and the provision of age appropriate books and posters. The manager has introduced a separate recording system for detailing incidents which involve discussion around belief, culture, age or disability. This means that children are effectively yet sensitively challenged and that all details are accurately recorded. Furthermore, this enables the manager to have an excellent overview of these events in the home. Equality and diversity work in the home is of an exceptionally high standard.

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Progress

Consultation with children is highly effective. The manager continues to seek the views of children regarding their experiences in the home. Regular children's meetings are now taking place following the recent arrival of new children to the home. This means that their views are actively sought and the children feel that their views are important to the staff and how the home is run. Children are actively encouraged to contribute to these meetings and they provide the items for the agenda.

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Progress

Monitoring of the home continues to be highly effective. The manager and senior team ensure that all staff continue to be well supported in their duties. Behaviour management is excellent in the home. There have been two sanctions and three restraints since the last inspection. These incidents were well managed and appropriately recorded.

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Progress

The home's development plan has been reviewed and changed. The home is focusing on equality and diversity and outcomes for children. This is clearly reflected in a series of aims and objectives for the home and observations of improved practices. The staff team have worked hard to further improve the home and the service offered to children. Children are effectively supported in discussing their concerns and benefit from access to advocacy. The home promotes a range of external support services but the telephone numbers for the Children's Rights Director and Ofsted are not displayed in the home. Furthermore, these numbers are also missing from the children's guide. A recommendation has therefore been made.

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Progress

Children are actively involved in designing their own positive behaviour reward systems. This has led to improvements in behaviour at the home. Furthermore, the home works closely with education providers to promote models of good behaviour for when young people experience difficulties in the education setting. This excellent partnership has further improved outcomes for children. All relevant matters are sensitively and effectively shared between home and school. Children continue to be fully encouraged to engage in activities inside and outside of the home.

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Progress

Relationships between staff and children are excellent. The needs of the children are appropriately and sensitively addressed and children are cared for by a supportive, energetic and caring staff team. Children enjoy spending time with each other and members of staff. A child commented that the home is 'Cool. Staff make it like it home’. This is reflected in the physical environment which continues to be well maintained and decorated. Noticeable changes include the provision of colourful artwork on the landing area which further adds to the relaxing, warm and comfortable environment.

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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 that the children's guide includes a summary of what the home sets out to do for children, how they find out their rights, how a child can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer, the Children's Rights Director, Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with inspectors, and how to secure access to an independent advocate. (NMS 13.5)

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