Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC431228 Inspection date 10/05/2012 Inspector Rebecca Sharp Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to accommodate up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and will provide placements for single sex occupancy only.

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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 good progress.

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Progress

At the last full inspection on 21 February 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged as good; with quality of care judged as outstanding. This was the home's first inspection and five statutory requirements were made. All five requirements have been adequately resolved and no further breaches of regulation or statutory guidance have been found at this inspection. This has contributed to the judgement of good progress at this inspection.

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Progress

The quality of care for young people remains outstanding. Relationships between staff and young people are extremely positive and this is a particular strength of the home. One young person described their keyworker as 'a hero'. Young people are respected as individuals and are cared for by motivated and committed staff who inspire the achievement of positive outcomes. Young people feel safe and are safe, and are cared for by a nurturing and versatile staff team. Consultation with young people is central to the day-to-day running of the home. Daily community meetings allow young people to influence plans for the day and also have their views heard. Complaints are handled efficiently and successfully and young people's thoughts and feelings have had an impact on the quality of care they receive.

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Progress

Educational outcomes are supported well. The home has a newly registered school onsite which promotes consistency for young people who have previously had a disrupted education. Care and education staff have high, yet appropriate aspirations for young people to achieve academically. Vocational skills are also nurtured imaginatively. Young people have had extensive input into the restructuring of the garden and outside area. They have helped build a barbeque, cultivate an allotment project and are currently reinstating a pond and wildlife area. The grounds are extensive and provide ideal experiences for young people both educationally and recreationally. The home contributes to the wider community by sharing fruit and vegetables grown on site. This promotes the young people's sense of belonging in the community.

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Progress

The leadership and management are comprehensive and effective. Monitoring is robust and contributes to the development of the home. The management team are forward thinking and keen to ensure they provide a quality service for vulnerable young people. Regulation 33 reports are sent into Ofsted along with the home’s Regulation 34 monitoring. The use of monitoring devices is explicit in the home’s Statement of Purpose, and each individual has a consent form signed by the placing authority agreeing the prospective use of the measure. Staff personnel files now comply with regulations and the young people have access to their own telephone line. These improvements have been made as a result of the previous inspection and meet the requirements made.

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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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