Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC436469 Inspection date 11/10/2012 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately-owned home can accommodate up to three young people. The home can accommodate young people who display emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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

This home was judged to be good at the last inspection in May 2012. One requirement and three recommendations were made.

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Progress

Young people now benefit from a telephone that they can freely access without asking staff and the young people's guide now includes the contact details for the Children's Rights Director. This means that young people are now fully empowered and able to make contact with support agencies and this further enhances their safety and well-being. Appraisals have taken place for the staff team and the physical environment has been redecorated where necessary and is now well presented and homely. Therefore, the three recommendations and the one requirement have been fully addressed and met.

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Progress

The home continues to make improvements. Since the last inspection, all staff have received refresher training in restraint, food hygiene, safeguarding and first aid. Specialist equality and diversity training has been given to staff and senior staff are completing additional training in management skills. This has enhanced the level of care given to young people as the staff team are now further equipped with relevant skills and knowledge. There have been few restraints since the last inspection. Where restraint does occur, it is used appropriately and for the purpose of protecting young people from harm. All restraints are effectively recorded and the Registered Manager monitors these records to identify any patterns and trends. The views of young people are actively sought after restraint. However, where sanctions are given to young people, the views of young people are not consistently recorded in the home’s records. This

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Progress

means that the manager is not always able to evaluate the effectiveness of these measures.

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Progress

Young people are making good progress with regards to their education. In some cases, there has been excellent progress. A young person commented that the, ‘staff encourage us to do well and achieve the best we can.’ Where young people are not engaged in education, the home works closely with appropriate support agencies to find alternative educational placements. The home has excellent relationships with education providers, parents and placing authorities. A social worker commented that, 'the staff are really good. They keep me well informed of progress and concerns.’

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Progress

Young people are also making progress in other areas of their lives. The staff team have ensured that all young people have memberships with the local fitness centre and they support young people in regularly accessing the gym. A range of appropriate, purposeful and enjoyable leisure activities continue to be provided to young people and they enjoy spending time with staff and each other.

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Progress

Where serious incidents occur, the Registered Manager ensures that swift and appropriate actions are taken to protect young people. Risk assessments are thorough and regularly reviewed. Regular visits from health care professionals and the police ensure that young people are able to discuss their concerns and develop their understanding of safe behaviours. The frequency of young people going missing from the home is reducing. Young people are safe and feel safe at 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 where sanctions are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in records kept by the home. (NMS 3.18)

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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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