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Unique reference number SC437069 Inspection date 03/01/2013 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority service exists to provide a range of short break services for 6 children who have learning and physical disabilities. An outreach service is also provided by the staff team. The service is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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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 last full inspection in July 2012, the overall effectiveness judgement for the service was good with one requirement and two recommendations made, which have been fully addressed.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has ensured that Ofsted has been provided with the most recent version of the Statement of Purpose. This document is detailed and clear and contains all required information. The written record of each supervision held for all staff now includes the details of the length of each supervision. The service has a detailed and comprehensive written development plan, which has been reviewed recently. The plan demonstrates the commitment of the Registered Manager to ensure that the service continues to meet the complex needs of children.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have demonstrated a continued commitment to improve the quality of care and outcomes for children. The entire staff team remain highly committed and dedicated to meeting the needs of children and their parents and carers. Engagement of other agencies is a strong feature of this service. One social worker stated how impressed they are with how the staff team work with them and parents/carers. A clear and well coordinated approach is taken by the staff team to ensure that relevant information is shared with parents, carers and social workers.

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Progress

Children present as happy and relaxed when staying here. The staff team ensure that a range of interesting and exciting activities are laid on for the duration of their stay. Such activities have included trips out to see the Christmas lights, visits to local places of interest and restaurants. Staff work closely with parents and carers to ensure they have detailed information about the likes and dislikes of each child. One social worker stated how impressed they are with how the staff met the needs of one child using the service. They had taken the time to learn what things they like to do and provided a beauty and pampering session. The social worker reported improved confidence and self-esteem for this child from such activities. This was also noted and commented upon by the child's school.

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Progress

The environment is very welcoming and adapted to meet the complex needs of the children using the service. Bedrooms are highly personalised for each child and include personal items and choice of bedding for the duration of their stay. One child stated how much they like coming here and that they like their bedroom, that it made them happy. Art work completed by the children is evident throughout the building. Staff take time to identify upcoming events and festivals and to celebrate these with the children. This enables children to not only feel part of the local community, but to develop a wider understanding of other cultures and religions.

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Progress

Parents and carers report exceptionally high levels of satisfaction with the service and staff team. One parent stated that the support from this service has enabled them to continue to care for their child at home. They feel that the service has provided them with a much needed break and that their child loves coming here. Parents report having no concerns in relation to the safety of their children while staying here. One parent stated that they had total peace of mind and that they could not praise the manager or the staff team highly enough.

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Progress

Children present as happy and relaxed during their stays. One parent stated that their child looks happy when they are told they are coming here and similarly happy at the end of their stay. The staff team ensures that each parent is provided with photographs of their child at the end of each stay. This enables parents to see what activities their child has taken part in. Parents report high levels of satisfaction at this recent development. For those children with no verbal communication, this provides parents with a visual image and memory of their child's stay.

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Progress

The highly dedicated staff team assist children to complete a feedback form at the end of each stay. Parents are also encouraged to provide feedback on a regular basis by the staff team. Parents report feeling very included in the service provision and development at all levels. One parent reported total confidence in the staff team taking seriously any issues they may raise for their child. Parents report that they feel their children are safe and protected from any harm during their stay. Social workers also report no concerns in relation to either the safety of children staying here or of the ability of the staff team to meet their holistic and complex needs.

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Progress

Leadership and management of this service continues to be good. The Registered Manager and deputy managers have very robust and regular systems in place to monitor the service. This ensures that all aspects of the care provided for children is overseen regularly and adjustments made as necessary. Parents are provided with bi-monthly summaries of their child's stays. This provides them with detailed information about all aspects of the care provided during each stay. Parents report feeling totally satisfied with the level of communication and information sharing by the staff team. Parents have total confidence in the staff team ensuring that they are kept informed on all aspects of their children's care.

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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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