Children's Home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC063689 Inspection date 30/01/2013 Inspector Caroline Wilson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 30/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children’s home is registered to provide care for up to six children, aged between 10 and 17 years, who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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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

This home was judged as good at the last inspection. Since this time it has made good progress in the care that it provides for young people. A new manager is in place whose application to become registered with Ofsted is being processed. Young people's quality of care and overall standard of living has risen significantly. Staff quickly rectify any recommendations made during monthly monitoring visits to ensure that the home is operating in accordance with its Statement of Purpose.

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Progress

Young people live in an environment that is physically safe and secure. Staff have individual areas of responsibility, such as the reviewing of health and safety issues. For instance, if furniture is noted as being in disrepair, this is rectified so that young people can continue to live in a homely environment. Regular monitoring of the home has also made improvements to a variety of matters. This includes ensuring that visitors do not disrupt young people's routine while balancing an 'open door' policy. Young people can now enjoy contact with significant others whom it is safe to do so in a manner that takes into consideration all of their needs. Any formal written documentation for young people, such as records of statutory reviews are now provided in a format which meets their preferred communication methods. Young people now have a clear record of the plans that are being made for their future

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Progress

which they can refer to through the use of relevant communication systems and formats.

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Progress

Young people's complaints are recorded in a designated book. This enables the registered individual to have a clear oversight to ensure that complaints are appropriately responded to and that young people are satisfied with the outcome. Staff meetings, training and regular supervision support staff to have good knowledge and understanding and how to implement appropriate responses and methods of working with young people. Good deputising arrangements are in place in the absence of the manager. Senior members of staff understand their roles and responsibilities and staff know how to respond and who to contact in the event of a safeguarding concern or incident taking place.

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Progress

Young people are helped to develop positive behaviours and understand how to work within boundaries to reduce incidences of negative behaviours. There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidences and the use of restraint since the last inspection. Young people are rarely restrained and only at times to protect them, others or to prevent damage to property. Robust behaviour management plans are regularly updated and provide staff with specific strategies, including distraction techniques, which are implemented to enable them to effectively manage challenging behaviours.

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Progress

Young people have a choice of food which meets their personal and cultural tastes. Food provided is home cooked, nutritious and ensures that young people have a healthy diet which includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Young people choose what they want to eat through communication methods which meet their individual requirements. Menus are planned in advance on a weekly basis and alternatives are offered if at any time a young person changes their minds about eating the food that is on offer.

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Progress

Young people's diverse needs are met, including religious observance or their sexuality. Young people engage in daily prayer and weekly church attendance. Young people are encouraged and supported to develop their sexuality in privacy. This is sensitively managed by staff.

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Progress

Only young people who meet the home's criteria are placed at the home. This ensures that staff have the skills and knowledge base in order to implement and meet and all aspects of their care in order to promote and safeguard their welfare.

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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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