Children's Home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Bristol

Unique reference number SC066250 Inspection date 13/03/2012 Inspector Peter Harrell Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/11/2011 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 service is a three-bedded children’s home for young people of either gender. It is owned by a private organisation that also operates two more children's homes in the surrounding area. The home provides medium- to long-term care for young people who are looked after.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

The overall quality rating for this service was judged as satisfactory at the full inspection undertaken in November 2011. Six recommendations were identified as part of that inspection, all of which have been successfully met. A further four recommendations have been raised as a result of this interim inspection.

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Progress

The home has appropriately addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection and demonstrates an improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Young people’s welfare is enhanced by good relationships which exist with staff. There is a clear improvement in the physical conditions in the home. Risk assessments, a Statement of Purpose and development plan are all in place and have been updated and young people benefit from individual placement and pathway plans.

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Progress

There is a commitment from staff at the home to provide a good quality service which benefits young people. There are recording systems in place. However, several daily records are not signed by staff on duty. There is a clear record of sanctions carried out and these are actively discussed with young people, although these reports have not all been countersigned by young people. There have been several notifications since the last inspection. A safeguarding incident, involving a young person, was swiftly and appropriately acted upon by management at the home and is clearly documented in the home’s records. However, the final outcome of these matters is not recorded next to the original notification. In order to further enhance the service for young people, recommendations are made in relation to these shortfalls in record keeping.

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Progress

Young people speak positively regarding the care they receive. There are complimentary comments from child care professionals. For example a social worker for a young person who has recently been placed at the home said, ‘the home is excellent at responding to a young person’s needs, they are very professional and communication with the Registered Manager is good.' Young people say they are safe at the home. A young person said it was ‘ok at the home’, ‘staff are alright' and gave the home '6 out of 10.’ Staff are supported by a manager who has a focus on improving the quality of care of young people. Management from the wider organisation and, in particular, a new operations director are working closely with the home. This is towards improving outcomes for young people, reflecting on best practice, plus ensuring that there is a stable and suitably qualified and vetted staff team.

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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

 make sure that, when sanctions are used, young people are encouraged to see their views recorded in records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure staff understand the nature of records maintained and follow the home's policy for signing records (NMS 22.1)  ensure young people are actively encouraged to read their files and to correct errors and add personal statements. (NMS 22.5)  make sure that a written record is kept which includes details of the action taken following a notifiable incident. (NMS 24.2)

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