Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC430022 Inspection date 08/05/2012 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home provides medium and long-term placements for up to seven young people who have emotional and or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a local authority.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in February 2012, the overall effectiveness for this home was judged as good and six recommendations were raised. These were mainly in relation to written information, records and reports. The medication record has been amended. The layout has changed prompting to staff to ensure more detail is included. The home has satisfactorily addressed the recommendation to ensure information in the children's guide meets the national minimum standards. However, work to adapt the information to a child friendly format is still underway. A recommendation was raised in relation to the restriction of certain areas of the home. The manager was asked to ensure that in this event this was agreed beforehand with the placing authority. There are no longer any restricted areas, the home is linked by electronic doors activated with key fobs. Young people are given keys which enables them to access all communal areas and their rooms. The

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Progress

manager was asked to ensure copies of the Regulation 34 reports were sent in to Ofsted at six monthly intervals and to compile a development plan. The report has been received, however, the development plan has not been compiled and therefore the recommendation has been raised again. The home has undergone some recent changes to the management. The Registered Manager has been moved to another service and a senior member of staff is currently acting as manager. Although this is being addressed by senior operational staff, this leaves the home without a Registered Manager and a requirement has been raised to ensure that a manager is appointed without delay.

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Progress

On the day of the inspection several young people were at home during school hours. This was unusual and due to a variety of individual issues. Staff work consistently with educational support workers to promote regular attendance and ensure that all young people have educational placements that meet their individual needs. Feedback from outside professionals confirms that staff and professionals work with enthusiasm and drive to help young people attend educational placements. Young people reiterate how hard staff work to help them overcome barriers to learning and gain academic and vocational achievements.

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Progress

The home has recently undergone an unsettled period where the group dynamics have caused some concerns. This has been reviewed and discussed with young people's professional workers and changes to placements have been identified. Young people have been central to decisions and fully involved in all review meetings. This ensures they are fully aware of changes to their care plans and the reasoning behind this. Young people spoken to say they feel involved in all decisions made, are happy with the care they receive and relationships with staff are good.

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Progress

The accommodation is a large spacious purpose built home. Young people are observed as relaxed and comfortable while using the communal areas and do so freely. The kitchen is the centre of the house and young people take interest and ownership in contributing their ideas about meals. This helps young people learn about healthy eating and develop practical culinary skills that will help them in adult life.

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Progress

Young people all have similar rooms with en-suite bathrooms. These have been partly personalised, although new build guidelines have delayed young people making individual colour choices. Furniture is standardised, however, there is not enough storage space in rooms resulting in belongings being boxed or spread over the floor. In addition some rooms are not suitably furnished to ensure young people's full comfort.

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Progress

The staff team are committed and work well under the new acting manager. However, an increase in numbers and full occupancy has left staff managing many competing demands. This results in times during the day when young people receive intermittent support and little space for one to one time with staff.

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Progress

Overall, this is a well managed service which has maintained the quality of care since the last inspection and met the majority of recommendations.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home is suitably furnished and provides adequate storage space to meet the needs of the children accommodated (Regulation 31 (4) (a)) 26/06/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) appoint an individual to manage the children's home. (Regulation 7 (1)) 08/06/2012

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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

 compile a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home (NMS 15.2)  ensure the overall number and deployment of staff on individual shifts can meet the individual needs of the children resident in the home. (NMS 17.1)

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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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