Children's Home run by Able Health Care Ltd in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC408714 Inspection date 24/02/2012 Inspector Linda Leeder Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/07/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately owned. It is registered to look after a maximum of six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. There are education facilities within the grounds of 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 good progress.

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Progress

At the last inspection in July 2011, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good, with three recommendations made. Effective progress has been made since the last inspection and all recommendations have been met.

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Progress

A recommendation was made at the last inspection in relation to existing staff attaining minimum level three qualifications. The registered persons have ensured that all staff have started a level three qualification and this has included paying for one member of staff to complete the course as funding from the local authority is not available. Most of the staff at the home are due to complete their course by April. This will ensure that the staff at the home can understand the needs of young people and promote good practice and care. This will encourage good outcomes for young people.

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Progress

At the last inspection it was recommended that young people are encouraged to have their views recorded following any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint used on young people. There have been no incidents of restraint used on young people since the last inspection. Young people have been encouraged to record their views on records kept about sanctions and disciplinary measures. There is now space and opportunity for young people to voice their opinions. Sanctions, disciplinary measures and restraint records are audited by the registered persons and key workers explore young people's views and feelings regarding such measures. For example young people discussed an issue of a risk to other people during a session with key workers and examined how to resolve the situation should it occur again. This gives young people strategies for understanding and controlling any behaviour that puts themselves or others at risk of harm.

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Progress

At the last inspection it was recommended that the registered persons ensure that the home have regard to the 'Runaway and Missing from Home and Care' protocols and procedures managed by the police or local authority. The registered persons have provided protocols to the police and local authority and there are now clear and robust procedures in place for staff to follow. The registered persons have developed relationships with community police team and local police officers have fostered appropriate and valued relationships with young people in order to reduce the risk to young people should they go missing from the home. This ensures that young people are kept as safe as possible should they runaway or go missing from the home or care.

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Progress

There is evidence of continued development and investment in the care provided for young people living at the home. This is seen in the development of staff skills, encouragement of young people to share their views and the building of effective relationships that support young people to stay safe and benefit from positive outcomes.

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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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