Children's Home run by Liverpool City Council in Liverpool

Unique reference number SC035969 Inspection date 29/10/2012 Inspector Denise Jolly Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is managed by a local authority providing short-term breaks for up to seven children and young people at any one time. Children and young people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities are cared for. Many use non-verbal methods of communication.

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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 has made satisfactory progress overall to address requirements and to improve the service. All recommendations have been addressed to improve the practice of the home. Key workers have audited plans of care, and have begun to rectify shortfalls identified. Children and young people receive short breaks supported by plans that set out how they will be cared for, and have their health and welfare safeguarded. However, some plans do not reflect all changes experienced by young people such as a new school or emerging patterns of behaviour. This creates inconsistency in staff knowledge and understanding of the needs of young people, reducing the opportunity for children to receive consistent care and support.

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Progress

Staff have undertaken refresher training in an approved behaviour management approach that meets the needs of children who use the service. Restraint is used minimally in the home, and only to prevent injury. However, staff do not record all information required in a volume kept for the purpose. Staff have not fully explained all physical interventions used, and medical treatment provided is not routinely recorded. Some information is kept in other documents such as incident reports. This prevents a clear and accessible record of a child’s stay at the home. Additionally, it impedes the manager’s ability to evaluate the record to identify trends and patterns, and introduce strategies that minimise the need for restraint.

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Progress

Children and young people benefit from staff who demonstrate improved knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures that relate to child protection. When necessary, staff identify concerns or respond effectively to concerns raised by others, to implement any measures that may be necessary to protect children.

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Progress

Senior care staff oversee the practice of staff to ensure formal communication systems used by children, such as objects of reference or pictures, enable choice and independence. This has improved choice at mealtimes. Children express their views in young people’s meetings, and in affectionate and lively day-to-day interactions with staff. Staff represent the views of some children in accounts of incidents or restraints they have been involved in. Managers acknowledge this is work in progress. They have organised staff training in effective recording of information, as well as training in facilitating communication for children with disabilities.

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Progress

Managers have established a robust system for overseeing the quality of care in the home. Visitors on behalf of the provider spend time talking to staff and children, and record their observations. Managers value their contribution and support, and respond positively to matters raised. A comprehensive action plan underpins targets arising from inspection and a manager review of the service. The manager works with the staff team in staff meetings to ensure that progress made enhances the care young people receive. This is evident in sound procedures for the keeping and administration of medication, and improved knowledge of specific health needs of children who use the service.

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Progress

Further improvements include repair and refurbishment of the home and equipment available to children, such as a touch screen computer, and I Pads to support communication. Staff have designed and submitted plans for an imaginative outdoor play area, to improve opportunities for children’s large motor skill and sensory development. A comprehensive activity plan is available, including holiday breaks for those who use the service to provide opportunities for new experience they might otherwise not have.

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Progress

Staff are supported by participation in regular supervision. Staff access a range of training opportunity, such as multi-disciplinary child protection courses, or specialist nurses that come to the home to promote understanding of effective administration of medication. Staff meetings include all staff at the home including ancillary posts, and provide a forum for all staff to contribute towards the development of the home.

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Progress

One requirement is made regarding the completion of records of restraint, and two recommendations are made to improve further the quality of short break care plans. However, staff maintain their focus on the welfare, emotional well-being and development of children who use the service as central to the progress the home is making.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control or restraint, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose that shall include all the matters in the Regulation. (Regulation 17B (3) and (4)) 28/12/2012

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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

 enable staff to meet children's individual needs as set out in the child's placement plan that accurately reflects all changes in identified need (NMS 2.3)  ensure each child's short break care plan is monitored by a key worker within the home who ensures that the requirements of the plan are implemented in the day-to-day care of that child. (NMS 25.2)

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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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