Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Unique reference number SC033840 Inspection date 19/03/2012 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/01/2012 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

The children's home provides short-break care and accommodation for up to nine young people with a learning disability or physical disability. It is provided by a local authority.

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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 full inspection on 20 January 2012 the children's home was judged to be outstanding. At that inspection three recommendations were made, and all have been addressed. As a result, there is better identification and management of all potential risks to children who stay at the home. The children’s guide now contains all required information so that children know how to contact a range of people outside the home if necessary. Finally, the home is ensuring that there is a comprehensive behaviour management plan for each child. This means that staff can deal with any potentially challenging or violent behaviour more effectively and more safely.

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Progress

The home is welcoming, homely and well-equipped. The home’s cook knows the individual likes and dislikes of each child and provides healthy and varied meals. Children enjoy coming to stay here and make full use of what the home has to offer. Staff provide a range of fulfilling activities within the home but also support children in accessing recreational and leisure opportunities within the community. This ensures that children are not socially excluded. Children get on well with staff and with other children, and bullying is not an issue. The home supports the children’s education and works with schools to provide consistency of approach across the settings. For example, the home uses the school’s behaviour plan for each individual child to ensure that its own plans support the child more effectively. The home maintains close links with a range of health professionals which means that the children’s health needs are fully met and their quality of life is maximised. Staff have

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Progress

carried out comprehensive assessments of all potential risks, and how to control them, which are individual to each child’s needs and circumstances. This ensures that the home keeps children very safe.

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Progress

The manager is extremely proactive in developing the service to meet the needs of children and their parents. The home has developed an excellent relationship with health and other agencies to ensure that the skills of staff are kept up to date. For example, the health professional responsible for epilepsy services has delivered training for staff in the latest techniques to manage this condition. Consultation with children is integral to the operation of the home. For example, when additional funds for new equipment became available, the children were asked what the money should be spent on. As a result, a DJ sound system has been ordered. The staff have set up specific activity groups to meet children’s particular needs and requests. For example, there is a girls’ group and a football group which are both extremely popular.

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Progress

In addition to seeking children’s views, the manager is creative and persistent in gaining the opinions of parents and social workers in order to tailor the service to the needs of children. The manager works collaboratively with parents and other parts of the wider service for disabled children to ensure that the best possible support can be offered in all circumstances. For example, on occasion staff have supported children within the family home. By providing workers who already have a relationship with a child, this reduces any potential for distress and ensures that any short-term difficulties can be effectively overcome.

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