Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC424103 Inspection date 16/10/2012 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a short-breaks service run by a national charitable childcare organisation. The home accommodates up to six children and young people with disabilities. The young people’s needs range from moderate to severe learning disabilities with associated physical, health and sensory impairment and/or complex multiple needs.

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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

The home was judged as adequate at the last full inspection in June 2012, with five requirements made and six recommendations for areas identified for improvement.

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Progress

Following the organisations restructuring of the management team, the Registered Manager has recently left the children’s home. The acting manager is in the process of completing an application for registering with Ofsted. Staff are embracing recent changes with a positive attitude, and in turn, this is ensuring the home is maintaining its quality of care for the young people.

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Progress

The home has complied with the requirement made at the last inspection for the Statement of Purpose to be revised and this now includes a description of any electronic or mechanical means of surveillance of the young people. The children’s home currently uses listening monitors and bedroom door alarms due to the complex needs of the young people accessing the service. This means of surveillance is used for the purpose of safeguarding the young people however; the home has not sought consent from the placing authorities for the use of these measures. This means of surveillance is not detailed in young people’s placement plans or risk assessments. Staff are therefore not guided on the appropriate use and management of such devises and how they promote the welfare of the young people. Although the Statement of Purpose has been revised this has not been updated to include the current staffing arrangement since the re-structuring of the management team.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that adequate precautions against the risk of fire are put in place. All designated fire doors are now connected to the fire alarm system and release in the event of the alarm being activated. Regular fire drills have taken place to ensure staff and young people are fully aware of the action to take in the event of fire.

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Progress

New systems for the recording of any measure of control or restraint have been introduced to the home. All recording is now in line with regulations. The system in place cross-references to all incidents in the home. This is a comprehensive system, which staff are aware of and enables effective monitoring to take place.

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Progress

Following the last inspection, routine consultation with the young people and parents now takes place during the Regulation 33 visits and by the manager. This ensures any shortfalls in the care of young people are being recognised and addressed. However, the manager currently does not use the process of monitoring to identify patterns and trends. The home has produced a comprehensive development plan for the service. This is very detailed with a focus on improving outcomes for young people and further enhancing the quality of care provided. This enables the manager and staff team to reflect on the progress in the home.

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Progress

A recommendation was set on the previous inspection in relation to the need to provide a homely environment, which is well maintained and decorated. Maintenance work has commenced which is enabling young people to enjoy a safe and pleasant environment. Young people describe the home as ‘good’ and ‘nice.’

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the home has ensured all young people’s records contain the necessary information. A file audit takes place, which ensures monitoring of the young people’s files routinely takes place. Therefore, young people’s records are relevant and contain current information.

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Progress

There is a commitment from the new management and all the staff within the home to improving outcomes for young people and further raising the standard of care within the home. Some of the recommendations from the last inspection have not been met these have therefore been re-stated. Young people are positive about the support that they receive and say they have good relationships with staff. Staff set clear boundaries and young people know what is expected of them. As a result, young people continue to receive structured care, which is planned to meet individual needs.

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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 any electrical or mechanical monitoring devices for the surveillance of children are only used when conditions are met as detailed in Regulation 22. (Regulation 22(1)(a)(b)) 26/11/2012

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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

 produce a children's guide that is suitable to the understanding of all the children accommodated in the home (NMS 13.6)  ensure the Statement of Purpose is reviewed to reflect the current staff and management arrangement in the home (NMS 13.3)  ensure the staff are equipped with the skills to meet the needs of the children; in particular, this relates to training in communication systems and autistic spectrum disorders (NMS 18.1)  ensure all staff have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually (NMS 19.6)  ensure the manager identifies any patterns and trends in the monitoring of the home and then takes immediate action to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (NMS 21.2)

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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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