Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC372621 Inspection date 30/01/2013 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home, run by a company, is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in August 2012, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate. One requirement and three recommendations were made at that inspection. The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection and has appropriately dealt with all of the previously made statutory requirements and recommendations.

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Progress

The home’s policy and staff guidance has been reviewed in respect of complaints. This has ensured that a legible and comprehensive record of complaints is now available for inspection in the home. Staff confirmed that this review has been discussed in team meetings and that clear written guidance is available to them. Both young people have lodged complaints since the last inspection, which indicates that they have confidence in the home's complaints system. All of these complaints have been appropriately dealt with, have been comprehensively recorded and have clear outcomes.

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Progress

Staff at the home were more able on this inspection to demonstrate their understanding of the home's behaviour management policy. This policy includes the encouragement of positive behaviour, the expectation of staff to employ de- escalation strategies to reduce conflict and appropriate guidance on discipline, control and physical intervention. The consistency of application has improved, which has resulted in a marked decline in incidents and in the application of physical interventions. Those interventions that have taken place are clearly appropriate and the recording of them makes the reasons for them explicitly clear.

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Progress

The home's current Registered Manager is an experienced and suitably qualified care manager, who since the last inspection has done much to improve the regular monitoring of the home's recording systems. It is clear from the comments and amendments made that complaints, sanctions, incidents and in particular physical interventions records are checked regularly. This ensures that complaints are dealt with promptly and appropriately. It also ensures that patterns and trends are identified and that there is a consistent application of the home's amended behaviour management policy. It is clear that the young people are benefiting from this improved constancy as both unauthorised absence from the home and incidents requiring physical intervention by staff are both reducing. Young people are beginning to enjoy the more consistent and stable care environment. Young people are attending therapy regularly and good progress in this area is reported.

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Progress

Senior management representatives regularly visit the home, to satisfy themselves that the home is functioning in such a way as to meet all statutory obligations, is adhering to its stated purpose and function and is meeting the needs of its residents. These visits generate written reports which are shared with the regulator at monthly intervals. Since the last inspection the external monitoring of complaints and physical restraint has been more vigorous and the reports appear to more accurately reflect the true functioning of the home, particularly in these areas.

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Progress

Environmental risk assessments are completed on the whole home environment. These identify any potential sources of harm to the young people, are recorded in writing and are being regularly reviewed. The home provides a safe living environment where regular health and safety checks are undertaken all safety equipment is regularly serviced and tested. The physical environment has improved and there has been a marked reduction in the amount of damage to fixtures and fittings.

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Progress

Generally the home provides its two current residents with a standard of care that meets all of the Children's Home's regulations and the national minimum standards. There is solid evidence of progress being made, with improvements in behaviour management and the consistency of care.

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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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