Children's Home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC036262 Inspection date 13/12/2012 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned and managed by the local authority. It can accommodate up to four young people with emotional and/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 good progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection in June 2012, the overall effectiveness judgement for the home was good with no requirements or recommendations made at that time.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued commitment to improving the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Young people continue to make good progress in this home. Young people report feeling really supported by the entire staff team to achieve their goals and prepare for independence. Their attendance in educational placements is good and they continue to achieve individual goals in relation to their education. Detailed and regularly reviewed plans ensure that young people's needs continue to be met during their time in this home.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has effective monitoring and reviewing systems in place for the home. This ensures that all records kept are of a very good standard for each young person. Transition planning and support for young people towards independence is a particular strength of this home. One young person stated that the staff team have helped them greatly, stating, 'I am a totally different person to when I moved in, thanks to the staff team and the support they have given me.' The staff team support young people to maintain contact with family members and significant others. Young people develop confidence in their ability to form and sustain friendships. One young person reported that since moving to this home, they are now able to use public transport unaided. This enables young people to feel part of their local community and to interact with their peers on a meaningful level outside of the home. Young people also report being able to invite friends to the

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Progress

home and for overnight stays at friends being promoted.

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Progress

Young people take part in a range of social activities appropriate to their age and abilities. The staff team took young people on a week’s holiday to the seaside this summer. One young person stated, 'we all had a fantastic week together, we do lots of things together; which I love.' The staff team encourage young people to contribute to the day-to-day running of the home. This is achieved through weekly resident's meetings and encouraging young people to contribute to their plans. Young people see the resident's meetings as important and report feeling listened to by the staff team. They have helped to contribute to the décor of the home and have highly personalised bedrooms.

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Progress

Young people assist with weekly menu planning with the cook at the home. Menus are varied and healthy and reflect the cultural needs of each young person. Staff support and encourage young people to take part in exercise, with funding being secured in order to develop a small gymnasium in the grounds of the house. All health needs of young people are met. Staff support and encourage young people to take personal responsibility for meeting their own health needs, wherever possible.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose is clear and detailed and contains all relevant information. The children's guide is given to each young person on admission and includes information on complaints procedures and key contacts. It is written in a very user- friendly manner. Young people report confidence in knowing how to make a complaint and who they can contact if they have any concerns.

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Progress

Young people report feeling safe in this home and having no concerns in relation to actual or potential bullying. The staff team works closely with local police and other agencies to promote the on-going safety of young people. Regular meetings take place with the local mental health services, in order to support the staff team in their caring roles.

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Progress

The staff team present as competent and committed to the young people in their care. Staffing levels within the home reflect the needs of the young people. Recruitment and selection of staff is robust and ensures that no unsuitable adults are employed to work in this home. Regular training and supervision of staff further enhances their ability to provide good quality care to young people. The Registered Manager and staff team work hard to promote positive behaviour. Young people feel fully engaged in determining what sanctions should be put in place for inappropriate behaviours. Through fully engaging them in this process from the point of admission, young people's behaviour has improved. Young people take great pride in their personal achievements since moving to live at this home. They speak positively about their futures and of feeling confident about their moves to independence. The staff team clearly take great pride in young

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Progress

people's achievements over time and celebrate their successes with them. One social worker stated, 'the staff team all meet the needs of the young people very well, they have really helped them to get ready for independence.'

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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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