Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC067753 Inspection date 07/02/2012 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/06/2011 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 Local Authority children's home provides care and support for a maximum of 16 children and young people with both physical and learning disabilities, some of whom may display challenging behaviour.

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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 inspection in June 2011 the home was judged to be satisfactory for overall effectiveness. There were five requirements and three recommendations made. These have been met to a high standard.

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Progress

Known behaviours of young people are in the placement plans and these are comprehensively risk assessed. Strategies are under constant review and any incidences inform practice. Young people have the best possible care and attention from staff who have access to detailed behaviour management plans to inform them how to meet the individual needs of each young person. Young people are able to communicate their needs through their preferred communication method and benefit from a responsive staff team. This means that young people's anxiety is minimised and significant incidences are of low-frequency.

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Progress

Young people are kept as safe as possible. The hazards identified at the previous inspection have been addressed and specialist equipment purchased to meet the needs of young people with disabilities. The correct permissions are obtained for the administration of medication. Robust safeguarding procedures are adhered to diligently. There are clear records kept about any concerns, the action taken (including the involvement of other professionals) and the outcomes. However, the instigation of a child protection investigation is not always notified to Ofsted.

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Progress

Young people are at the centre of practice. There is a commitment from the management to ensure that the views of young people are constantly sought and that this influences the running of the home. A 'children's consultation book' is in place to record the subtle cues obtained in the day-to-day work with young people with communication difficulties. Such cues inform practice, for example in how a young person chooses their clothes in the morning. This means that young people are empowered in their daily living and their challenging behaviours are kept to a minimum.

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Progress

There is effective staff management, monitoring and support. Staff speak positively of recent changes such as their supervisor's shift pattern being realigned to coincide with their own shifts. This means there is closer support and guidance available to staff. There has been a successful recruitment drive and less dependency upon agency staff. Young people are benefiting from a more consistent approach and a stable staff team who are well supported and guided.

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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 if any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the person indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table, in particular the instigation of any child protection enquiry to be notified to Ofsted. (Regulation 30 (1)) 27/04/2012

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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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