Children's Home run by Tulip Care One Limited t/as TulipCare in Kent

Unique reference number SC361090 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 23/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides residential care and support for up to five boys. The home adjoins an independent school, registered for seven male pupils. The school is included in the resources available to young people placed at the home.

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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 satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The home was judged as good at the last inspection in November 2011 with three requirements made and three recommendations for areas identified for improvement.

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Progress

The manager has complied with the requirement made at the last inspection to improve on the recording of any measures of control, restraint or discipline. The volume now includes all the information from the regulations. This is a robust process of which staff are aware and ensures that effective monitoring and recording is taking place.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, a number of staff have left the home. Staff are aware of the impact this has had on the young people and are proactive in supporting the young people with emotions and attachments. This is an ongoing process; the staff and management use ‘practice forums’ to equip the staff team with the necessary skills to support the young people. Young people benefit from individual placement plans which are tailored to each young person. Young people are involved in these plans and their comments are an integral part of the process. There is a high level of one-to-one work with the young people to seek their views and feedback, as well as frequent resident meetings. The young people are generally positive about the ability of staff to act on their views and wishes.

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Progress

The home provides on-site education to some of the young people living in the home. There have been improvements in outcomes for young people in this area. Young people have higher levels of attendance at school than previously. They are encouraged to work to their abilities and benefit from one-to-one tuition as required. Young people highlight this is an area which has ‘got better.’ Good communication between the on-site education and the home has enabled a consistent approach to be achieved. Young people in the home also attend schools in the community; attendance has also improved in these educational settings. However, information and communication regarding off-site educational placements is not available on the young people’s files. This lack of up to date information means that staff are not fully informed of any current actions needing to take place and does not ensure a holistic approach is maintained.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose has now been revised and now includes the professional involved in providing a service in the home. This information ensures staff and placing authorities have a clear view about the home's aims, objectives and the service it provides.

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Progress

Since the last inspection a new process for undertaking Regulation 33 visits has been introduced. These visits are now beginning to consistently take place to enable an opinion on the standard of care in the home. This is a new development which will enable reports to be routinely supplied to Ofsted. A recommendation has been raised to ensure good practice is maintained. The manager is in the process of developing a system to use the information gathered during Regulation 34 checks to improve the quality of care provided and to identify trends and patterns in the home. The management team have made progress in formulising a development plan for the home to focus on the desired outcomes for the young people. The team have completed a self-assessment for ‘community of communities’ which will be incorporated into Regulation 34 reviews and the development plan. This information will ensure there is evidence to reflect on the progress in the home and the future

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Progress

plans to enhance the quality of care for the young people. These recommendations have not been fully met and are therefore restated.

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Progress

There is a commitment from the management and staff in the home to improve outcomes for young people. Staff have positive and realistic aspirations for the young people. Young people benefit from a homely environment although there are some areas identified that are in need of replacement and repair. The Registered Manager is aware of the maintenance work to be undertaken. Staff set clear boundaries and young people know what is expected of them. As a result, young people continue to receive structured care which is planned to meet their individual needs.

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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 staff engage and work with schools and are provided with up-to-date information about each child's educational progress (NMS 8.7)  ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure there is a written development plan in place for the future of the home, which is reviewed annually (NMS 15.2)  ensure a written report on the conduct of the home is routinely made available to HMCI after every Regulation 33 visit carried out (Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph 3.13)  ensure the manager monitors all records to identify any patterns or trends in order to improve the quality of care provided. (NMS 21.2)

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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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