SC 040491

Unique reference number SC040132 Inspection date 16/02/2012 Inspector Chris Passmore Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/07/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This registered children's home is run by a local authority and provides respite care for children with autism. At any one time it provides regular, short-break care facilities for a maximum of four children. The service supports approximately 32 children in total. Children stay for varying lengths of time and frequency depending on their assessed needs. Most visit weekly, arriving after school and staying the night, before returning to their family after school the next day. Some stays are longer and can be at weekends or during the school holidays. Visits follow a regular pattern to enable children to become familiar with the service and feel safe and secure.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in July 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good, with one requirement and two recommendations set within the inspection report. These have all been addressed by the service. There are now more comprehensive staff records on site, young people's files are being updated with their legal status and internal quality assurance reports are being produced. A further recommendation has been made as a result of this visit relating to a summary of regulation 34 reports not being sent to Ofsted.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team continue to improve the quality of care and positive outcomes for young people. These include young people continuing to progress, develop and achieve individual goals through their short breaks experiences and outreach involvement. Managers are evaluating, embedding and enhancing the current level of service, successfully addressing recommendations and progressing the internal service development plan.

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Progress

The home continues to work well to ensure they maintain positive relationships with the families and other professionals involved with the young people. These include health and education professionals as well as those workers with casework responsibility.

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Progress

Although sanctions and physical restraints are seldom used, all staff have been trained in approved techniques and made aware of the service provider’s updated guidance on the thresholds applicable to physical interventions.

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Progress

Young people benefit from highly tailored individual placement plans and the service actively seeks the wishes of parents. By listening to parents the service has identified a variety of support needs with which they can help. This area of outreach and support work is being promoted in parallel to the short breaks service.

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Progress

Constructive relationships between young people influences their engagement levels within the home and across other social areas. Staff were able to identify how play equipment and shared external experiences, such as football coaching, help young people develop social skills such as sharing and consideration. There are high levels of one-to-one work with all of the young people during which each can make choices and contribute to the way the home functions. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about the care of young people and there is a commitment to providing a high-quality service.

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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 summary reports of Regulation 34 monitoring are completed at six monthly intervals and submitted to HMCI within 28 days of completion. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 3.14)

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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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