Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC032167 Inspection date 01/02/2013 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children’s home provides up to 10 short-break placements for children who have physical and/or learning 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

This interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since their last full inspection in August 2012, at which they were judged to be good. There was one recommendation raised at that inspection, which has been fully met.

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Progress

The home has undergone some significant changes since the last inspection. This was brought about by a closure of another home within the city and expanding the provision to include those children and young people accommodated there. A number of the staff team from that home have transferred to this home. The new staff team is responding positively to this challenge, for example, by sharing skills to enable them to continue to provide an essential service for children, young people and their families. There remains uncertainty within the staff team with regard to their future employment, which impacts on their morale. However, this is no reflection on the management of this individual home.

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Progress

The home is forwarding to HMCI a six-monthly internal monitoring report, reflecting how the home operates. This includes how the home has consulted with young people, their parents and social workers on future developments. Regulation 33 visits are conducted each month. These are detailed reports which include speaking to and observing interaction with young people. However, the last one received by Ofsted was October 2012, which does not comply with the regulation.

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Progress

Children and young people are benefiting from some new modern furniture, which has been brought over from the closed home. This has improved the homeliness of the environment.

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Progress

The home continues to promote a healthy options diet. Staff work with those children and young people who have a limited diet to encourage them to try healthier foods.

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Progress

The children and young people are cared for in a safe environment. Care is taken to ensure that vulnerable children and young people are not accommodated with more boisterous individuals who may pose a risk.

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Progress

A number of young people benefit from attending a local youth club where they can socialise with their peers. They also enjoy trips to local parks and amenities, going bowling and eating out. Young people who are able to do so are encouraged to make their own purchases to help them to develop independence and social skills.

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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

(2001) supply a copy of the Regulation 33 report to HMCI. (Regulation 33 (5) (a)) 01/04/2013

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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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