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

Unique reference number SC399222 Inspection date 09/01/2013 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 23/05/2012 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 is a service that is run by the local authority which is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with severe learning disabilities.

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 good progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection the home was judged as good for overall effectiveness. There was one requirement and one recommendation made. These have both been met.

p.3

Progress

Better systems are in place to ensure that information about individual children is kept confidential and there are now robust arrangements for the handling and storage of medicines. Medicines are suitably labelled, the necessary medical and parental consents are in place and out-of-date medication is disposed of properly. Although stocks of prescribed medication are checked regularly this is not always reconciled with the theoretical stock noted in records. This means that there is the possibility a stock discrepancy may not be noticed quickly or prompt action taken to ascertain that children are receiving their medication as prescribed.

p.3

Progress

Children continue to make good progress in their communication skills, social integration and education. Other professionals say children are, 'Doing very well.' Some children, who show signs of anxiety, continue to benefit from a staff team that is dedicated to meeting their needs. Some recent behaviour is challenging. Some damage to the environment is known to the manager who has clear plans in place for repairs. A committed and competent staff team work with other professionals to identify causes of challenging behaviour, agree strategies and promote the best outcomes for the children in their care. This means the placement has every chance of success.

p.3

Progress

The organisation continues to offer a varied and regular training program. This enables staff to respond to the developing and on-going needs of children such as epilepsy. Staff work proactively with others, such as, education staff to ensure other needs, such as, social integration and inclusion are met. For example, children are able to access a swimming activity with their peers.

p.4

Progress

Staff carefully consider the unique and individual needs of each child in their care. Consequently, this is a service that is continually developing. For example, an improvement since the last inspection is the provision of a sensory area in the courtyard. The intense sensory needs of children, and their preference to be outside, are met which has led to a reduction in incidents of inappropriate behaviour.

p.4

Progress

The manager has applied to be registered with Ofsted.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 provide a comfortable and homely environment that is well maintained and decorated, in particular ensure the planned repairs are completed (NMS 10.3)  consider additional safeguards to manage medication, in particular reconcile actual stock of prescribed medication with theoretical stock as noted in records. (Volume 5 statutory guidance, para 2.51)

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