Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Barnsley

Unique reference number SC064454 Inspection date 30/01/2013 Inspector Russell Shackford Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 outstanding at the full inspection and is judged to have made good progress at this interim inspection. The home has improved the quality of care and outcomes for young people and has addressed the recommendation made at the previous inspection. This was about the content of the registered persons monitoring visit reports.

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Progress

The registered person has improved the report template to focus more attention on how well the home supports children to enjoy and achieve. The reports seen contained specific details and evaluation of these matters. This helps to ensure that young people's progress and outcomes are fully monitored.

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Progress

Additionally, continued improvement was noted in several key areas. Young people's education attendance has been well supported by unwaveringly committed staff. As a result, young people continue to achieve very good attendance records in full time education. Education achievements are increasing because staff help young people to take on further challenges. This includes using the bus to get to school and moving into higher achieving groups in school. Staff contribute to an achievement tracker which helps to identify progress and shortfalls. This helps education staff to provide individualised support for young people. Young people's friendships made at school have been strengthened by after-school socialising at the home or in the local community. Young people now have greater involvement in activities and broader socialising. This has included a mixed sports club, swimming, horse riding and attending theatre academy.

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Progress

Involvement in swimming, sports club and exercise class helps to keep young people fit and healthy. Staff have worked earnestly to ensure that young people take responsibility for their health and attend health assessments and appointments. This has resulted in improved health outcomes for young people. Good liaison between staff and other health agencies has resulted in young people being able to engage with them quickly and easily when required.

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Progress

Family contact is much improved. Staff say they have, 'really good relationships with parents' which helps them support and facilitate young people's contact.

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Progress

Staff training and support is described as, 'great' by staff at the home. All existing care staff have attained a level 3 qualification and any new staff start working towards the level 3 Children & Young Peoples Workforce Diploma within 6 months of their employment. This helps to ensure that young people are looked after by appropriately qualified staff at all times. Some staff have completed teaching assistant training to enhance their abilities to support young people's education in the home or at their school.

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Progress

There is very effective monitoring of the quality of care for the young people in the home. The manager has a good system to monitor, report and evaluate the administration systems of the home, ensuring what staff record they record well. Robust quality assurance processes are regularly carried out by people independent of the home, and any areas of weakness identified are promptly acted upon. These useful evaluations ensure the standards within the home remain high and continue to improve.

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Progress

There were no shortfalls identified at this inspection.

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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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