Children's Home run by Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

Unique reference number SC034313 Inspection date 12/11/2012 Inspector Nicola McEvinney 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 children's home is run by a local authority and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home also offers an outreach service to young people who have left care and may need additional support.

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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 interim inspection has focused on the progress made since the last full inspection in June 2012, at which the home was judged to be adequate. There were a number of requirements and recommendations raised at that inspection. The home has worked extremely hard in addressing all these requirements and recommendations. This has resulted in an improved quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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Progress

There are improved arrangements for attending to the health needs of young people. They benefit from having regular access to medical screening to ensure they maintain good health. Young people's well-being is promoted by ensuring that there are robust medication procedures in place to ensure that they receive their medication as prescribed. Medication records are closely monitored to ensure compliance with these procedures. All staff have been booked on a relevant medication training course to obtain a better understanding of the importance of the safe administration of medication. Young people's educational attendance and achievement is better promoted by the introduction of systems to maximise their potential. For example, monthly education meetings are held for each young person. All information relating to that young person is available including their level of attainment. Staff attend parent's evenings

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Progress

and there is daily contact with some education providers to ensure any concerns are quickly addressed. Personal education plans are in place ensuring that targets are identified to enable staff to support young people as required.

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Progress

The opportunities for young people to develop self-help skills have significantly improved. For example, the home has introduced an independence package. This assesses the level of capability of each young person and a programme is developed to enable them to learn essential skills. Young people have free access to the kitchen and they are encouraged to make appropriate decisions about their personal healthcare and hygiene. Individuals from the leaving care service also work with the young people to help them to develop further skills. This supports young people to make a successful transition to adulthood.

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Progress

As a result of improvements, young people now live in a homely environment. For example, there has been internal redecoration and new flooring in some of the communal areas. Young people participated in making the garden more attractive over the summer by planting out flowers in the front garden. A vegetable plot has been organised in the back garden and young people enjoy growing their own produce.

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Progress

Systems have been introduced to ensure that young people's records are correct.

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Progress

Children's safety is promoted at this home. Staff go the extra mile to endeavour to keep young people safe while away from the home. Where some young people choose to indulge in risk-taking behaviours, staff are proactive in ensuring appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of these individuals.

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Progress

There were no recommendations or requirements identified at this inspection.

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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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