Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC390785 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/10/2011 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 is owned by a private company. The home is registered to accommodate three young people of either sex who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

Following the last inspection, in October 2011, the home was judged to be inadequate. Requirements and recommendations were set for the provider to improve the standards of care. Since this time, satisfactory progress has been made to promote positive outcomes for young people.

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Progress

There has been some progress in relation to the safe handling of medication. Medication is now stored, handled and administered safely. Young people are supported to manage and administer their own medication safely, for example, there are risk assessments and discussions with social workers regarding this. As a result, young people's welfare is safeguarded.

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Progress

Team meetings are now held on a more regular basis. These give staff the opportunity to discuss the needs of young people and help them to make proper provision when planning their care. Consequently the welfare of young people is better promoted. Young people have comprehensive placement plans and care plans are up to date. Staff regularly attend multi-disciplinary planning meetings to discuss the welfare of young people and to agree strategies for working with them. The practices used by staff ensure that young people receive the support they need to progress.

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Progress

Some progress has been made in appointing a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons to work in the home. The registered manager is confident that all vacant posts have now been filled and says that the home will be fully staffed by May 2012. Most staff are new. They have completed the home’s own induction. They have also either completed, or, are currently undertaking the Children's Workforce Development Council's induction standards. This helps to promote young people's well-being by ensuring that there is some consistency in their care. While most staff have completed their probationary periods, the organisation has not yet signed these off. Young people are cared for by staff who lack experience but who are nevertheless able to support them to make progress in their lives.

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Progress

As part of their induction, staff have received training in safe hold techniques and the safe handling of medication. More advanced training in the safe handling of medication has been provided for one staff member and is planned for others. The training undertaken has equipped staff with the skills required to keep young people safe, de-escalate difficult situations and provide safe care when handling medication.

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Progress

An improvement in the quality and frequency of visits to the home to monitor the quality of care has resulted in improvements to the service, for example, recent improvements have been made to the records that are kept. The monitoring process helps to ensure that young people live in a home that meets their needs well.

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Progress

The arrangements for fire safety have also improved. Young people and staff are now clear about how to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire as regular fire drills now take place. Notifications to the relevant authorities, regarding significant events, are now made within legal timescales. As a result, there are strengthened arrangements to keep young people safe.

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Progress

There is increased contact with independent reviewing officers to obtain independence plans for young people. One young person now has a pathway plan in place but this is not the case for all young people. The impact of this is minimal as the home makes good efforts to prepare young people for adulthood. There is, for example, a comprehensive independence programme which aims to equip young people with practical life skills. Young people are also well supported to share their views and wishes about their care and these are taken into consideration within care planning. This helps young people to feel valued and respected.

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Progress

Some progress has been made in relation to the maintenance of the home. Toilet seats have been repaired and other maintenance issues have been put right. As a result young people generally live in a homely and pleasant environment. However, the arrangements for making prompt repairs are not robust. For example, a bathroom cabinet broken in December 2011 remains broken in March 2012. This practice does not fully promote young people's welfare or investment 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 that staff members who are placed in charge of the home and other staff at particular times have substantial relevant experience of working in the home and have successfully completed their induction and probationary periods (NMS 17.5)  ensure the home provides an environment that is well maintained and decorated. (NMS10.3)

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