Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC066277 Inspection date 10/12/2012 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The setting is owned and operated jointly by a Local Authority Children's Services Department and a National Health Service Foundation Trust. This service offers short breaks service care for up to nine children and young people who have learning disabilities that may include sensory and physical disabilities, complex health needs or challenging behaviour.

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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

At the full inspection in May 2012, the overall effectiveness rating for the home was judged as good with two requirements and four recommendations made. This children’s home demonstrates continued improvement in the quality of care provided with a clear and focused commitment to service development.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the external quality monitoring visits have been reviewed and these now include a thorough inspection of the home and observations and consultation with children, parents and persons working at the home. This has resulted in a robust process, which gives a strategic overview on the opinion of the standard of care in the home. The Registered Manager uses this information to further enhance the quality of care provided.

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Progress

The home was required to improve the recording of sanctions. The systems in place now ensure all recording is in line with regulations. This process enables the Registered Manager to monitor the effectiveness of interventions and use the information to inform behaviour management plans.

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Progress

The children’s guide has recently been reviewed. This has resulted in a comprehensive guide that is appropriate to the young people presently accessing the service. There are a number of photos within the guide, which enables children to have a clear understanding of what to expect from the home. This now includes how children can find out their rights and contact the Children’s Rights Director and Ofsted.

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Progress

On the last inspection, a recommendation was set in relation to recruitment records. The Registered Manager now has a record of recruitment information within the home for longer standing members of staff. The manager has ensured all the information for new members of staff is kept in the home. This enables all necessary information is easily accessible for monitoring purposes.

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Progress

Following the last inspection there has been a real focus on providing children with a range of opportunities and experiences both within the home and in the local community. Children have participated in a number of activities within a group and individually, these have included cinema trips, walks, fire work displays and youth clubs. This has been achieved after consultation with parents and children themselves. This practice is enabling children to develop peer relationships and also to pursue individual interests and hobbies which they may not have previously experienced.

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Progress

Staff receive training which enables them to meet the individual needs of the young people currently accessing the service. This has enabled the staff team to be consistent in their approach and provide children with safe and good quality care. The Registered Manager has worked with training providers to ensure staff members who have been employed for longer than six months are working towards the Children and Young People’s Workforce Diploma. However, this is an ongoing process and not all staff are currently undertaking this qualification, therefore this recommendation is re-stated.

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Progress

Children continue to receive well-planned care provided by a committed and competent staff team. Staff provide clear boundaries within a caring environment with a real focus on ensuring the children have fun while visiting the home. This commitment is further reflected in the home’s development plan, which has been further developed to clearly identify strengths and areas for improvement within the home. All staff are vigorously working towards improving outcomes.

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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 existing care staff are working towards the Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma. (NMS 18.5)

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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.

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