Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

Unique reference number SC425786 Inspection date 20/03/2012 Inspector Linda Bond Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2011 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 children's home accommodates up to nine children who have physical disabilities or learning disabilities. Children may be accommodated for short-break care or on a longer-term basis. It is operated by a local charitable foundation. This is the first inspection since this charity has operated the children's home following its merger with the previous charitable foundation.

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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 judgement at the last inspection was good. There were threerecommendations made. The home has continued to provide a good standard of care to young people with complex disabilities. Outcomes for young people are significantly improved as a result of the caring, committed and motivated staff team.

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Progress

Young people benefit from a staff team that are appropriately qualified and experienced, thereby making certain that their holistic needs are met. Management ensure that staff receive sufficient training to enable them to provide good quality and reflective care. The recommendation in respect of this has been met.

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Progress

At the last inspection a recommendation was made in relation to the children's guide. The current documentation is informative and clear and provides young people with contact information that is relevant and current. Young people are supported by a staff team to make use of this material.

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Progress

Staff support young people to attend school regularly and personal achievements are well-documented. Progress is monitored and recorded in individualised and highly personal plans. Staff have worked hard to develop relationships between schools, parents and young people. In doing so, young people are encouraged to reach their full potential. The recommendation has been met.

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Progress

Young people are supported in imaginative ways to make progress across several areas of their lives, particularly in education, health and behaviour. There has also been continuing improvements in outcomes for young people across these areas. Inclusion and creativity from the staff team enable young people to continue to develop a positive self-image and lifestyle.

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Progress

Young people, families and providers are involved in the development of young people's highly personalised plans. Parents report that communication is excellent and allows them to have a good understanding of how young people are progressing. A 'lovely warmth and fantastic provision of care' allows parents to feel young people are safely and consistently cared for. Young people benefit from living in a home that is well maintained and where there is extensive provision for the differing needs of the young people. Policies and procedures are robust thus ensuring young people are safe and staff have sound systems to support young people. One area of improvement has been identified through this inspection: this relates to there being no development plan. Management and staff have a good deal of plans to refurbishment and develop the home, thereby improving the outcomes and raising the standards. A recommendation is made to ensure that a development plan is in place.

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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 the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirming the continuation of the homes' current operation and resource. (NMS 15.2)

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