Children's Home run by Blackford Education (schools) Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC045096 Inspection date 25/01/2012 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/06/2011 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 owned by a private limited company. It is registered to care for three young people aged from 11 to 17 years with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Care packages usually include the provision of education at the company school.

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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 June 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good with two requirements and four recommendations made to further improve the quality and standards of care.

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Progress

The home continues to demonstrate continuing improvements in the quality of care provided, with some focus on preparing young people for independence and/or rehabilitation with families.

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Progress

One requirement and three recommendations from the previous inspection have been successfully addressed to the benefit of young people. Some attention has been paid to the remaining requirement and recommendation but these have yet to be fully addressed. Two further requirements were made as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and updated since the last inspection to accurately reflect the practice, aims and objectives of the home. It now contains the information required about the staff team.

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Progress

A development plan has been produced which is mostly generic and designed to improve homes across the organisation. The format includes areas for development, actions to be taken and progress made, with identification of specific tasks for staff. Responsibilities for development are clear and progress can be readily monitored to prevent drift and evidence improvements.

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Progress

Analysis of young people's diet is being undertaken as part of developments to ensure sufficient calorie intake and provision of a nutritious diet; this is particularly beneficial to young people who have arrived at the service with weight problems or a history of failure to thrive.

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Progress

Other areas identified for development include improving opportunities to celebrate achievements to raise self-esteem and confidence. A young person has recently attended a placing authority ‘celebrating success’ event. The use of memory boxes has improved so that young people have a history of their time in care to take with them when they move on. A cookbook challenge is also included in development plans; young people across the organisation are producing a manual of tried and trusted recipes which will support independent cooking and healthy eating.

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Progress

Children now have individualised pre-incident risk assessments, and supporting policies are in place which comply with Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocols. These documents, and working in partnership with the police, improve effective action to safeguard and return children who go missing.

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Progress

Young people understand better the need to keep themselves safe, including the dangers of letting strangers on the premises without checking identification. Support sessions have also addressed issues regarding drinking alcohol and going missing.

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Progress

Quite a lot of maintenance work and decoration has been done to provide a homely and comfortable environment for young people. One house has been redecorated and new carpets have been fitted. Bedrooms are now individualised to suit the young people. The other house has a new fitted kitchen and kitchen window; several other areas still need attention to repairs and decorating to provide a pleasant home.

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Progress

The service has sought a placement plan from a placing authority, however, despite continued requests this document is not in place. This means that although young people are cared for in line with organisational care plans, there is a no formal signed agreement for the aims of the placement or responsibilities.

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Progress

There is improvement in the recording of restraints which now includes some detail of the behaviour leading up to the restraint and some feedback from young people. Detail of the restraint used is not always clear and lacks confirmation that the Registered Manager has spoken to those using restraint in attempts to reduce incidents. Records do not contain detail of any methods used to avoid the use of restraint. In addition, restraint has been used to force compliance and this is insufficient reason for physical intervention.

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Progress

Young people say they are getting the support they need with good access to health support services.

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Progress

Social workers report good communication between professionals and have been particularly pleased with the support given to encourage gainful employment or further education for young people.

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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

17A (2001) ensure restraint of a child is only used to prevent injury or to prevent serious damage to property (Regulation 17A) 27/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain in respect of each child a record in permanent form which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3; this relates specifically to ensuring each child has a placement plan (Regulation 28) 01/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that a written record is made of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline which shall include: a description of the measure used, confirmation that the person authorised to make the record has spoken to the person using the measure and the details of any methods used to avoid the need to use that measure. (Regulation 17B (3c) (3h) (4b)) 27/01/2012

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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 that the home is well maintained and decorated paying particular attention to the bedroom walls, fittings and decoration (NMS 10.3)

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