Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Unique reference number SC040638 Inspection date 07/03/2012 Inspector Lucy Ansell Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/11/2011 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

The home is one of eight local authority children's homes and caters for six young people of either gender from 12 to 17 years of age. The home supports children and young people who present emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The full inspection was completed in November 2011 when two requirements and two recommendations were made. In the three months since the last inspection the two requirements have been fully met and good progress has been made to ensure the two recommendations are on the way to being fully met.

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Progress

The covering manager has established a system so the service can fully monitor and report on all positive outcomes achieved by the home within the regulation 34 reports. This benefits the young people by more rigorous monitoring of all incidents, better recording of all outcomes achieved and by ensuring the covering manager is enhancing and quality assuring all aspects of the service that it is provided.

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Progress

Young people now benefit from a staff team that receives regular comprehensive supervision and support. The staff team have all undertaken extra training so they possess the required competence commensurate with their roles and responsibilities within the home and have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the young people.

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Progress

Young people are now fully informed of their care packages and the progress they are making. The home has implemented a new individual placement plan, updated weekly with the young people that simplifies but is still comprehensive; the content of information is kept on the children's files.

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Progress

At the time of the inspection several workmen were in the home changing doors and updating bathrooms. This continues to meet the recommendation that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated; an upstairs carpet is damaged.

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Progress

The covering manager and staff team have been able to provide a positive and stable environment for the young people with consistent boundaries. Young people have settled considerably since the last inspection and are starting to achieve positive outcomes in both educational attendance and a big reduction in unsociable behaviours. Young people benefit from an experienced staff team who have a real commitment to their responsibilities with the young people. The young people appeared settled and happy and enjoy positive relationships with the staff team which results in them investing in their futures and enjoying living in their home.

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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 home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)

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