Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC033174 Inspection date 29/01/2013 Inspector Bridgette Lowe Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority children's home that provides care and accommodation for five children and young people of either gender. The home aims to provide a period of stability for children and young people with complex needs in an environment with a therapeutic emphasis. In addition, there is multi-agency involvement in addressing their needs. Children and young people stay at the home for periods in excess of six months. They are helped to return to their families, move to substitute family placements or to more independent placements. The home is located in a rural setting with local facilities in close proximity.

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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

At the previous full inspection July 2012 the homes was judged as good in overall effectiveness. Leadership and management and quality of care were judged as outstanding with all other areas judged good. One recommendation was raised at the last inspection. This related to increasing the work undertaken with young people to reduce their smoking habits. Staff continually educate young people about the risks of smoking. Currently there isn't a strong culture amongst young people to smoke. Young people recently joining the home confirmed they have reduced their smoking habit and that staff are supporting them to 'quit smoking'. Good links are in place with the local cessation physicians and kits are also available in the home should young people choose to stop smoking. Staff are aware that this is an area of work with young people that is constantly being assessed and approached to ensure young people live healthy lives now and in the future. Young people do not

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Progress

frequently engage in taking other illegal or harmful substances, outside of normal experimental teenage behaviour. This demonstrates that young people are aware of their own health and generally work hard to make the right choices.

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Progress

Young people's health and emotional well-being is given the utmost attention. Young people continue to access the gym regularly and have a real strong focus on improving their physical health. Other young people access a whole range of physical activities that improves their physical fitness, confidence and self-esteem. Activities include horse riding, swimming and zumba classes. Young people spoke of enjoying these activities and as a result have become healthier and fitter.

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Progress

The vast majority of young people have made significant emotional developments since the introduction of the 'Pillars of Parenting' model that staff apply to their daily practice. Professionals working with the staff team comment that the team are a 'powerful group' and that their insight into the young people's complex emotional and mental health needs is 'phenomenal'. The majority of young people have been assessed as making significant progress in all areas. Progress has been made in relation to their levels of anger, improved mental health and feeling of well-being, as well as young people being less avoidant and defensive. This is as a direct result of the dynamic and committed team that have forged excellent relationships with young people. Staff have worked tirelessly with young people in crisis and have made significant impact on improving their mental health and well-being. This has resulted

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Progress

in young people being safer, not putting themselves at risk and engaging with the home in a positive manner.

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Progress

The home continues to be developed and managed by a long serving, well-qualified and committed Registered Manager. Young people benefit from a long serving stable and extremely skilled staff team. The key strength to this team is their coherent and consistent approach to working with young people with extremely complex emotional needs. This has resulted in improved staff awareness and practice when supporting young people. The atmosphere at the home is relaxed and happy, with young people continuing to respect and look after their newly refurbished environment. When spoken to they are generally happy about living at the home and state they feel safe and 'like' the staff.

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Progress

There were no recommendations or requirements made as a result of this inspection. The home continues to make good progress overall, with outcomes for young people improving.

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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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