Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

Unique reference number SC031504 Inspection date 21/01/2013 Inspector Diana Waters Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is managed by the local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to 10 children and young people, aged from five to 17 years at any one time, who have a learning disability and who may also have a physical disability. The home also provides an overnight short breaks service.

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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 overall effectiveness of this service was judged adequate on 14 August 2012. Two requirements and one recommendation were made at the full inspection. All three have been met. This inspection identifies effective progress for this service. There is one new requirement resulting from this interim inspection.

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Progress

The requirement to continue with the building programme has been met. The successful extensive redesign and refurbishment has recently been completed and the improvements have transformed the building. There is a well-designed living, kitchen and play space for both units which is clean and bright with homely touches. A professional commented ‘they have created a spacious, light and welcoming space for young people to enjoy their visits.' These improvements have been sensitively designed around the varying needs of young people with disabilities and they benefit from the extra space and facilities. It is a credit to the staff team they have continued to provide respite services throughout the building works ensuring continuity of care for young people. The requirement to ensure staff are subject to full safer recruitment checks recruitment records has been addressed. Records are being systematically

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Progress

scrutinised and robust action has been taken to secure gaps in historic records. No new staff have been employed since the last inspection.

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Progress

The recommendation specifically related to improving the bedroom decorations has been achieved throughout the home, with creativity and sensitivity to the range of young people using the service. Staff ably took on the challenge and report young people enjoyed consultation and participation in the project, including shopping trips to choose and purchase materials. External areas have been fenced in and made safe. The rear field is now accessible for the older young people, however further improvement and provision of play equipment in this area is reported to be dependent on successful funding bids.

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Progress

Regulation 33 visits are regularly undertaken and copies are held on file in the home, not all reports have been consistently received by Ofsted since the last inspection. The Regulation 33 visitor for the organisation has recently addressed this issue. The service continue to strive to provide quality care for young people, the team liaise and take opportunities to gain and analyse feedback from relevant interested parties to inform their practice. Satisfaction levels are high and ideas for improvement are implemented, for example the 'tired bedding' comment was acknowledged and taken into account when redecorating the young people's bedrooms.

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Progress

The new facilities include new kitchens, living areas, sensory room, computer room and ball pit are already enjoyed by young people. Calming rooms in each unit are not yet in use. The manager confirms they will not be used until all draft paperwork and risk assessments are finalised and signed off, including individual plans for each young person who may use the rooms, being agreed & signed by parents and completion of training for the staff team in how the rooms are to be used. A requirement to ensure these calming rooms policies conform to regulations, published best practice guidance and approved by the behaviour management training provider is made. The manager also agreed to re-evaluate the need and purpose for high door handles that have remained on doors, albeit there is no evidence that they have been used inappropriately to restrict young people liberty.

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Progress

The managers and the committed and stable staff team provide excellent care for the young people who benefit from respite care from staff who build warm and positive relationships with them. The team continue to work well with young people, parents, schools and social workers, and are successful in securing improvements to benefit young people who visit the home. Staff have worked extremely hard to drive improvements to the physical building and facilities to benefit young people who visit.

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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

17B (2001) ensure the guidance and policy for the use of the newly designated calming rooms conform to the regulations and published best practice guidance, prior to their use, and the use of high door handles are reviewed. (Regulation 17B) 28/02/2013

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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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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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