Children's Home, Residential special school run by Options Autism (1) Limited in North Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC066565 Inspection date 13/11/2012 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/04/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care, accommodation and education for up to 26 boys and girls aged from 8 years up to 17 years old. The home offers a specialised service to children and young people with autism.

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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 as good at the previous full inspection in April 2012. This interim inspection found the home to be making good progress and has successfully addressed the previous requirement and recommendations. This inspection identifies a further requirement which relates to further improving independent monitoring activity.

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Progress

Young people are clearly happy and feel relaxed in the home. Adaptations, including the installation of specialist floor coverings in bathrooms and bedrooms, have been made to meet needs arising from individual disability. All communal and individual spaces used by young people are well equipped, providing them with a comfortable, homely and safe environment.

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Progress

Following the last inspection, a full time speech and language therapist was seconded to the setting. Young people are provided with the opportunity to attend 'My Choices' meetings with their key worker and the speech and language therapist. The information gathered is used effectively to identify, increase and improve individual communication methods. As a result, young people are more empowered to make choices and express their views on all aspects of their care and support, including following a restraint. A further benefit of these increased communication methods has been a significant reduction in the need for physical interventions. Young people are reassured by the use of individual symbols which identify 'triggers' and reduce anxieties, thereby preventing violent outbursts. Young people are further safeguarded by being provided with the opportunity to attend the local medical 'walk in' clinic following episodes of restraint. Together these measures effectively promote

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Progress

young people's health, well-being, sense of belonging and safety.

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Progress

An excellent children's guide provides comprehensive information to young people in a format they can understand. This includes details of the Children's Rights Director as well as other independent advocates. In addition, the services of an independent advocacy service have been engaged to meet with young people regularly. Young people's rights are better promoted as a result.

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Progress

Robust monitoring visits scrutinise how young people are supported to enjoy and achieve and report upon whether their behaviour management strategies are effective. However, parents are not routinely consulted during these visits, therefore opportunities to gain their opinion on the standard of care are being missed.

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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 the person carrying out the registered provider visit shall interview, with their consent and in private, such of the children living there, their parents and relatives as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 01/02/2013

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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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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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