Children's Home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC063689 Inspection date 14/02/2012 Inspector Kevin Whatley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children’s home is registered to provide care for up to six children, aged between 10 and 17 years, who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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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 last inspection, which was carried out in August 2011, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged as being good. As a result of that inspection the setting was asked to improve the process of Regulation 33 monitoring inspections to ensure that young people are consulted during the visit; to update their missing persons policy; and to review their Statement of Purpose in relation to the complaints procedures. Additionally, they were informed to consider implementing a written protocol for security measures being used; to ensure staff are aware of changes to staffing arrangements; for staff induction programmes to comply with current guidelines; and to keep staff aware of changes to legislation and practice. These have been addressed and the home has made good progress since the last inspection.

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Progress

Young people are now routinely consulted as part of monitoring visits with the Regulation 33 inspector utilising a variety of methods to communicate fully and, subsequently, including the views of young people within monthly reports. The reports are comprehensive and represent a review focused on the young person and on the standards of their care provision.

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Progress

The home’s policy and procedure for missing persons has been reviewed in consultation with the local police. This provides an up-to-date, relevant and robust approach to responding to situations where young people leave the home without permission. No incidents of this nature have occurred since the last inspection and, indeed, in almost a year.

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Progress

A full review of the Statement of Purpose was completed by the service shortly after the last inspection. The document now contains all relevant information including details of the home’s complaint procedure. The home has also updated the pictorial complaints guide, which is displayed openly in the home, to include the new Ofsted contact centre details.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose now confirms the reasons for the use of a security device to restrict access by members of the public to the garden of the home and is appropriate.

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Progress

Staff have been informed of the reasons why staffing levels have to be amended on occasions. For example, when the needs and numbers of young people at night do not require the deployment of two waking night staff, a second member of staff supports on site in line with 'sleeping in' capacity guidelines. Such working practices are also confirmed within a stand alone policy and staff contracts of employment. Similarly, staff have been kept up to date with any legislative changes through regular staff meetings and formal supervision sessions. Induction training programmes for new staff now comply with the Children's Development Workforce Council standards and include progression toward the required level 3 qualification; no new staff have been employed since the last inspection.

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Progress

Young people have been supported in their continued progress. Staff support the young people with all their care, development and learning needs. Young people with potentially self-harming behaviours have been assisted to learn more appropriate ways of expressing frustration and distress, leading to considerably reduced incidents of such a nature. Similarly, young people have been able to make good progress in their self-care skills resulting in improved levels of personal hygiene.

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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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