Children's Home run by Norwood Ravenswood in Barnet

Unique reference number SC010415 Inspection date 08/01/2013 Inspector Tola Akinde-Hummel Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home, run by a private company, is registered to provide short-break care. The home cares for up to nine children and young people who have a learning disability, physical disability or sensory impairment.

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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

The home had a full Ofsted inspection in May 2012. The overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good.

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Progress

The previous inspection identified two requirements and two recommendations. These related to notifying Ofsted of changes to the responsible individual and an upgrade of one of the bathrooms in the home. The recommendations highlighted the need to review the organisation’s policies and procedures to ensure they are up to date and in line with The Children's Homes Regulations (Amended) 2011 and the home’s practice. The home was also asked to ensure that the emergency escape plan is understood by all staff and children. The above requirements and recommendations have been met.

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Progress

The organisation advised Ofsted of the change in the responsible individual. They have also secured funding to upgrade one of the bathrooms in the home. The work will commence in February 2013.

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Progress

The organisation reviewed their written guidance for staff to ensure that they are clear about the organisation’s policies and procedures in relation to the care and support of children and young people.

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Progress

The staff team has received training in using additional equipment to evacuate some children in the event of an emergency and individual evacuation plans are currently undergoing scrutiny to ensure that they meet the home’s own standard. These additional measures enhance the present arrangements...

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Progress

The home has maintained the quality of individualised support provided to children and young people since the full inspection, despite a shortage of staff in recent months. This has put additional pressure on the existing staff and the manager and has impacted on some written records. However shifts are sufficiently covered through permanent staff taking additional shifts and regular bank staff. This ensures that children and young people’s needs are met. Additional recruitment interviews are currently taking place to address this shortage in the long term.

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Progress

Children and young people using the service are familiar with members of staff and demonstrate that they are happy and comfortable in their surroundings. They are able to make use of all the facilities within and outside the home and are kept safe from hazards.

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Progress

Inspection of care plans show that these records identify children and young people’s needs. These are sensitively written and give good guidance on how to support them properly. However, not all care plans are reviewed within the home’s timescales and some changes in children and young people's needs may not be fully reflected. Important care information; for example, medication regimes or dietary needs, is regularly updated. The delay in reviewing the plans does not compromise any immediate health and safety needs. This shortfall has also been identified in a recent monthly monitoring report of the home. In addition, not all risk assessments are signed as read and understood by staff. This does not give indication that staff have read and understood their responsibilities and what action to take to minimise any risk. The Registered Manager recognises these shortfalls in written records and attributes this to the current staffing levels and the impact of this on her

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Progress

The home has developed in a number of areas since the previous inspection, in line with their current development plan. For example, the proposed refurbishment work has been completed. This lounge has been redecorated with new fixtures and fittings. This brings a fresh look to the area and allows children and young people additional space and better equipment to use during their short break. The dining table is now height adjustable, enabling children and young people who use wheelchairs to sit more comfortably during meals and activities. Computer and other electronic equipment have been provided, as well as pictures and symbols on notice boards, to aid communication.

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Progress

The home has introduced new 'all about me' books. Although in the early stages, these pictorial diaries record the activities in which children and young people participate during their short break. The plan is for children and young people to take these diaries with them when they leave the service, as a memory of the time they spent there.

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Progress

The home has established a newsletter for parents and carers to keep them abreast of developments in the home. The newsletter is informative and invites parents to provide suggestions to contribute to the newsletter and further improve.

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Progress

The manager has also secured funding to redevelop the garden and has undertaken consultation with children and young people to establish what they would like to see there. This has involved trips out to an equipment supplier as well as pictorial choices about what they might want the garden to look like. This ensures that the children and young people’s preferences are central to the planning of the outdoor space.

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Progress

The home and the organisation have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement with regard to findings at the full inspection and developments throughout the inspection year.

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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) the registered person shall keep under review and revise the placement plan as necessary. (Regulation 12 (2)) 29/03/2013

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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 there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed. (NMS 22.1)

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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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