Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

Unique reference number SC034211 Inspection date 18/12/2012 Inspector Peter Harrell Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is one of a number of children's homes operated by a city council. It provides care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. The home is an admissions unit where the intention is to move young people on to more suitable care and accommodation, such as a return to their parental home, identified foster placement, preparation for independent living, or a long-term children's home.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of the service was judged as providing an adequate level of care for young people, at the last inspection on 23rd July 2012. The service has addressed all the requirements, and five out of the six recommendations that were raised at this inspection.

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Progress

As a consequence of this interim inspection, there is one requirement raised which is related to a previous recommendation and one new, good practice recommendation.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, there are improvements in the physical conditions of the home. All fire escapes are now clearly labelled and accessible; regular fire drills take place in the daytime and at night. In addition, the fire risk assessment has been updated and young people have also been instructed on what to do in case of fire. The home has re-introduced a visitors book which is used regularly; staff receive appropriate support and supervision to helps them to meet the needs of young people; Information regarding smoking cessation is on display at the home and 'quit packs' are available to young people. The practice where medicines intended for staff, were kept in the same cabinet with young people’s medication, has ceased.

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Progress

Five months since the last inspection, systems are now in place to monitor the performance of the home at regular intervals. The regulation 33 visits take place and reports for these visits were available in the home. However, they have not all been submitted to the HMCI at Ofsted.

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Progress

Young people speak positively about the care they receive. Consultation is sought with young people through the recent use of questionnaires and key worker sessions. Young people confirmed that they are helped to raise any matters which concern them. Although policies and procedures are in place to deal with any complaints, which are accessible and contained in the young person's guide, English is not the first language for several of the young people currently living the home; they would be better equipped upon arrival, if the children's guide was translated into their home language.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is enthusiastic about improving young people's outcomes and the quality of care of the service, together with keeping young people safe. There remains a stable staff team at the home who provide positive role models and nurturing relationships with young people.

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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) ensure copies of records of visits which are undertaken by the registered provider are supplied to HMCI. (Regulation 33(5a)) 31/01/2013

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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 where the child requires it, the children's guide is available through suitable methods of communication, specifically translation into another language. (NMS 13.6)

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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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