Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC044259 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Paul Taylor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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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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Brief description of the service

This is an established children's home which can accommodate up to five young people aged between eight and 17 years old of both genders. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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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 carried out in November 2011 the home was judged to be good. Two requirements made at the last inspection have been met, these were in relation to the manager applying to Ofsted to become the registered manager and ensuring that monitoring visits occur on a regular basis.

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Progress

Three recommendations have also been addressed. New members of staff now undertake the Children's Workforce Development Council induction process, routines have ensured that young people's attendance at school or their educational setting has improved and all members of staff have had the recruitment process applied consistently. Additionally, new monitoring systems introduced by the manager have ensured that members of staff consistently apply and follow the home's policies and procedures.

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Progress

Improvements made since the last inspection have included enhanced monitoring of records and clear action plans in response to monitoring visits. This has ensured that all key records are kept up to date and that responsible members of staff, such as key workers, are aware of what needs to be amended and updated and in what time frames. The manager also has an action plan in place for every monitoring visit so that improvements to shortfalls are responded to and implemented.

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Progress

Members of staff and young people have reported positively about the impact of the new manager. 'She's sound and she listens' was a remark made by a young person. Members of staff report that the manager provides a good standard of leadership and direction. They say that as a result of her approach the staff team is now cohesive and consistent in its approach and that this in turn has provided stability for the young people.

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