Children's Home run by Springfield Road Children’s Homes Ltd in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC412296 Inspection date 12/12/2012 Inspector Paul Taylor 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

The service is a privately-run children's home providing care and accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of 10 and 17 years, who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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

At the last inspection in April 2012, the home was judged to be good overall. One requirement was made and this has been addressed. The home ensures that there is proof of job applicants’ qualifications and this information is kept in the relevant files.

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Progress

Two out of three recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. The home does not now routinely lock the kitchen and clear procedures outline under what circumstances this practice may occur. Regulation 34 review of care reports are now forwarded to Ofsted. This shows that the service routinely assesses and considers practice with a view to improving outcomes for the young people.

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Progress

One recommendation has not been addressed. On some occasions, young people’s views following physical interventions or sanctions have not been recorded. The recommendation remains.

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Progress

Incidents of restraint are thoroughly recorded in incident reports, but not consistently recorded in the home's restraint record within 24 hours, as required by regulation. Although this has not had an impact on young people's well-being, it means that key events are not always effectively recorded to support the monitoring of young people’s care.

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Progress

On one occasion, staff did not record the reason for the administration of a non- prescription medicine, in either the home's daily log or in the young person’s health record. This meant that staff who were not directly involved in the administration had no knowledge of why the medicine had been given.

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Progress

Outcomes for the young people living in the home continue to be of a very high standard. Young people attend school on a full time basis and close liaison is achieved between their school and the home to ensure that they receive the support that they need. Regular key work sessions with the young people enable them to voice their views and opinions on how they feel they are being treated.

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Progress

The home continues to keep in close contacts with parents, where appropriate, to ensure that the young people receive consistent and nurturing care. This enables the young people to feel that the adults responsible for their care are working together in order to promote their future life chances and aspirations.

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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, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose. (Regulation 17 (3)) 31/01/2013

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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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Recommendations

 ensure that where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure that there is a written record of all medication, treatment and first aid given to children during their placement; with specific regard to recording why non-prescription medication has been administered. (NMS 6.15).

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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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