Children's Home, Residential special school run by Rowden House School Limited in Herefordshire

Unique reference number SC035625 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Jo Stephenson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 23/11/2011 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 privately registered children's home that also provides education on site for up to 44 young people with special educational needs. The service comprises of seven separate residential homes.

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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 in November 2011, the service was judged satisfactory. The provision has made good progress at this interim inspection and demonstrated significant improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The service has addressed the four requirements and six recommendations previously stipulated.

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Progress

Young people are safe and enjoy positive relationships with staff. There is a consistent and structured approach to spending time with young people and activities reflect ability and personal choice. Subsequently, young people engage well with staff. Placement plans are regularly reviewed during team meetings and these now reflect the progress made by young people. Allocated key workers are responsible for essential information and communicating changes made to support plans. As a result, young people benefit from a comprehensive approach to their care.

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Progress

Staff ensure that risk assessments are individualised and identify any specific behaviours that may cause concern. Further training has been provided to assist staff in this process. Incidents of missing from home are minimal and agreements are in place with local police detailing arrangements for specific young people. Behaviour management procedures have been reviewed and amended and a clear policy is in place. Proposed changes have been identified and training has been arranged to support staff in this area. Consequently, young people experience an effective and proportionate response to their safety.

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Progress

Young people are supported by staff and their families to access the complaints procedure, although it is difficult to distinguish between the informal and formal stages of this policy. Documents record issues raised, actions taken and the outcome of investigations. However, appropriate timescales are not always adhered to and this means that young people do not receive an opportune response to their concerns.

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Progress

Staff support young people with their physical and psychological health needs, and education attainment. Care staff work in partnership with teachers and multi- disciplinary team members. Integrated staff meetings include nursing staff, speech and language specialists and educational professionals. An inclusive approach is taken to supporting young people to develop their social and emotional skills. As a result, young people benefit from a holistic programme of personal development.

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Progress

Managers provide structured supervision sessions for staff that address practice issues and personal development. Staff state that they feel supported by changes made to these processes and welcome the addition of training workshops in staff meetings. Induction procedures for new staff include statutory training requirements and the supplementary provision of mentor support to assist development. The Registered Manager ensures that monitoring systems are in place to scrutinise the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Areas highlighted for improvement are addressed and discussed during staff meetings. Subsequently, young people live in an effectively and efficiently managed home.

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Progress

The home environment is decorated to a high standard and appropriate to the needs of the young people. Safety requirements previously raised have been addressed and this means that young people are physically safe in the 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 children receive prompt feedback on any concerns or complaints raised and are kept informed of progress. (NMS 1.6)

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