Children's Home run by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in Rotherham

Unique reference number SC037521 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Lynne Busby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by a local authority as part of its service to children with disabilities and their families. It is a single storey building, which provides a respite care service for up to seven children, with physical or learning 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 satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since the last inspection in which the overall effectiveness was judged to be good. The home currently has no children accommodated as it is being refurbished. The children are receiving outreach support in the interim period. Children and parents have been fully consulted about the changes and for those children who will be moving to the service, plans for the transition have been put into place. Therefore, children have been well prepared which will assist them in settling into a new environment.

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Progress

Progress made since the last inspection has been impacted on because of the changes to the service. There has been no restraints since the last inspection and staff have had updated training in care and control, which includes restraint. This has reinforced staff's skills in distraction techniques and promoting positive behaviour. The recording system has been reviewed and now includes the effectiveness of any intervention. This ensures staff can reflect and monitor any measures taken.

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Progress

There are monitoring systems in place to ensure the smooth running of the home. The manager completes monitoring audits and consultation with parents, children and placing authorities will be included. This ensures their views are taken into account on the operation of the home. Reports are forwarded to Ofsted.

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Progress

Staff have had regular training opportunities. The training programme is being updated to reflect what staff have undertaken but has not been fully completed. Therefore, shortfalls in training are not clearly identified. Training has been completed for some staff on complaints procedures and how to support children in this process. However, a number of staff are still to complete this.

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Progress

Risk assessments were put in place for the high level sockets near beds. However, following the refurbishment the manager stated all risk assessments on the environment will be updated to ensure hazards are reduced. Therefore, children's health and safety is promoted. The staff are auditing all children's files and updating them, and as part of this they are developing a new section of the children's plan which will focus on equality and diversity. This will ensure children's identity and individuality will be reflected and met.

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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 learning and development programme for training is kept up to date (NMS 18.2)  ensure children's individual needs are set out in the child's placement plan such as cultural and religious needs (NMS 2.3)  ensure all staff receive training to enhance individual skills in the complaints procedures. (NMS 18.1)

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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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