Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC373941 Inspection date 08/01/2013 Inspector Janet Hunnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 23/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This home is run by the local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection in August 2012, the home was judged outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were made.

p.3

Progress

The home continues to provide an excellent quality of care for young people. Experienced and committed staff, led by a proactive manager and deputy manager, have a clear focus on young people’s changing needs. They recognise young people’s specific vulnerabilities and strive to protect and safeguard their well-being.

p.3

Progress

Outcomes for young people have continued to be good over a period of time, with young people moving to placements with competent levels of independence skills. The home ensures that young people have the support they require to successfully make the transition and move forward to adulthood. Young people have good attendance at school and the home celebrates their achievements.

p.3

Progress

Some young people are making excellent progress in relation to their physical well- being. Staff monitor young people’s health needs to a high level and ensure that young people have support to eat healthily and achieve a healthy life style. The high level of some young people’s challenging behaviour is currently impeding their progress in relation to their emotional and psychological health. Other residents perceive this behaviour as bullying and intimidating. The home has strategies in place to protect all the young people, such as increased staffing levels, individual support plans and intense, direct work with young people to develop their understanding of the effect of their behaviour on others and themselves. The home has specialist input from the local child and adolescent mental health service to provide guidance for staff and specific work with young people.

p.3

Progress

Managers have conducted an analysis of bullying within the home and involved the young people in identifying their understanding of the issues and their views on effective ways of dealing with it. As a result of this process, practical strategies are in place to support young people. A young person stated that they are ‘getting on better now with the other young people, staff take it seriously and do something about it’. The home also has input from external professionals such as the youth offending team and local police to develop young people’s understanding of the issues.

p.4

Progress

Strategies in place to support young people and reduce incidents of challenging behaviour are effective. Incidents of violence against staff have dramatically reduced in recent months as young people, over a period of time, develop trusting relationships with them.

p.4

Progress

Young people are positive about living at the home and state that they can approach staff if they have any concerns. They are fully aware of the complaints process and use it to formalise concerns they have when necessary. Staff respond appropriately to these complaints, ensuring young people's views are taken seriously. This allows young people to develop confidence and trusting relationships with staff. Staff have high levels of experience and resilience, enabling them to work confidently, calmly and effectively with young people who have complex needs and support them to make progress.

p.4

Progress

Monitoring of the home is highly effective, with managers ensuring that they identify and address promptly any patterns and trends affecting the quality of care. This ensures that high standards of care are maintained, enabling young people to have optimum opportunities to make as much progress as possible.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5