Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

Unique reference number SC044975 Inspection date 08/11/2012 Inspector Gwen Buckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides respite care and accommodation for up to 12 children with disabilities or learning difficulties and with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The children are cared for in three separate flats. The home is managed by the 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.

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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.

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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 May 2012, the overall quality rating for the home was adequate, with three requirements and three recommendations identified for improvement. The manager has made adequate progress and implemented a number of improvements to systems and documents in response to these requirements and recommendations.

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Progress

Fire safety arrangements have improved: staff training and risk assessments have been updated and fire doors have automatic closing devices where needed. Robust, recording and auditing systems for non-prescribed medication ensures all medication is accounted for. Adequate interim staffing arrangements are in place while recruitment to vacant and newly established posts takes place. Regulation 33 monitoring has improved and now ensures the views of young people are sought and reflected in the reports. These developments help to keep young people safe, ensure their voice is heard while providing young people with a safe and secure environment in which to live. Additional developments have taken place since the last inspection. A good range of training has been provided for staff which includes refresher training to administer emergency medication for epilepsy and food safety. This ensures staff are up-to-date

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Progress

with developments in practice and have the skills to safely care for young people with complex health and care needs. The range of activities available to young people has improved. A new trampoline has been obtained and a soft play area moved. Young people have easier access to the soft play area and were freely using this. Interaction between young people and staff was warm and friendly and young people chose the activities they wanted.

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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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