Children's Home run by Crusoe Care Limited in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC434573 Inspection date 21/01/2013 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately children's owned home for two young people who have emotional or behavioural problems. There is a satellite unit which also has spaces for two young people who have emotional or behavioural problems. The satellite unit is used to provide young people with a semi-independent living experience.

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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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

The home was judged as being adequate at the last inspection in July 2012.

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Progress

Three recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection regarding the need to provide training to new staff members in a number of areas, such as, health and safety, safeguarding and induction. Training and induction records for new staff remain incomplete. As a result there is no clear record to monitor training and demonstrate that staff have the skills necessary to meet young people's needs. The registered provider is clear that such training has occurred and as a result the impact of the lack of training records on young people is minimal.

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Progress

The home is generally run in an efficient way which goes some way to promoting young people's welfare. However, lines of accountability are not always clear. As a result there has been some confusion in decision-making regarding a recent child protection issue. This does not promote the effective and safe running of the service. However, the impact of this on young people is minimal. Young people are sufficiently protected in the home as there is an understanding of child protection.

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Progress

Quality assurance visits are carried out and reports demonstrate a view to making improvements within the service. However, these are sometimes carried out by a senior care staff member who also works in the home and therefore lack an objective approach. As a result, the monitoring of the welfare of young people is not carried out effectively and this does not fully promote their welfare.

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Progress

Risk assessments within care plans are carried out in order to promote young people's safe care. These are not robust in relation to young people being in each other's bedrooms and therefore fall short of fully promoting young people's safety. There are generally good fire safety arrangements that promote the safety of young people and staff. However, the smoke alarms are not tested weekly in line with the home's fire risk assessment and this does not fully safeguard young people.

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Progress

Despite these shortfalls, the home continues to support young people in achieving positive outcomes. Young people make progress in many areas of their lives. They gain confidence and self-esteem and progress in their educational achievements. Strong efforts are made to ensure that young people are able to enjoy leisure interests and develop confidence in their skills.

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Progress

Young people feel settled, safe and well cared for. They say, 'Staff are fair'. There has been investment in the physical environment of the home. This ensures that young people feel valued and live in a pleasant and comfortable environment.

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Progress

Improved arrangements are in place regarding the recording of young people's daily records. This ensures that there is a clear record of young people's progress which contributes to providing an accurate account of their lives.

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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 that the registered person makes proper provision for the care, education, supervision of children accommodated there and in particular provide risk assessments with regard to the risks associated with their interactions with other young people in the home (Regulation 11 (1)(b)) 21/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training and in particular, maintain a record of all training received (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 21/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

33 ensure where the registered provider is an organisation, the 21/02/2013 (2001) home shall be visited in accordance with this regulation by an employee of the organisation who is not directly concerned with the conduct of the home (Regulation 33 (2)(c)

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person shall after consultation with the fire and rescue authority, take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment and in particular, test the smoke alarms weekly in line with the home's fire risk assessment. (Regulation 32(1)(a)) 21/02/2013

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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

 The registered manager exercises effective leadership of the home’s staff and operation, such that the home is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers sound, good quality care that meets the individual needs of each child at the home (NMS 14.5)

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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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