Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

Unique reference number SC034969 Inspection date 05/02/2013 Inspector Katarina Djordjevic Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, which is provided by a local authority, is registered to care for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is a short-term assessment provision whereby needs are assessed and a suitable long-term placement is identified within a 12-week assessment period.

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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 last full inspection in August 2012 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good. One requirement and three recommendations were made. The home has made good progress since the last inspection and has addressed the requirement and all three recommendations. This service has demonstrated a commitment to continually improving the quality of care provided.

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Progress

A number of staff changes including changes in the management team have taken place since the last inspection. An acting manager started working at the home in December 2013 and he is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. Additionally, there have been a number of staff changes within the team. However, these changes have not affected the quality of care provided, which demonstrates the skills and commitment of the staff team.

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Progress

Since the last inspection a telephone for the specific use of young people has been provided. As a result, young people can keep in contact with people who are important to them, and make calls in confidence to other agencies in relation to their care. This helps to ensure young people are safeguarded, and their rights maintained.

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Progress

Young people continue to receive good quality individualised care and support. which takes into account their individual needs. Staff have high hopes and aspirations for young people. They work tenaciously to ensure young people can reach their full potential both academically and socially which will improve their opportunities in later life. Key work sessions are effectively used to discuss young people’s behaviour, safety and future plans. As a result, young people do make progress during their time at the home. For example, young people’s attendance at school improves; they start to make positive plans for their future and their confidence improves. Comments made by young people include, ‘I feel more confident to speak to others. It’s helped me stick to my order’ and relating to being at the home, ‘it has given me more self-confidence’.

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Progress

Young people have good relationships with staff which helps them feel valued and make progress. Young people and their parents appreciate the support they receive from staff during their time at the home. One parent was extremely positive about the care that their child and they as a family have received from staff at the home.

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Progress

Young people feel safe at the home and their risk-taking behaviour reduces during their short-time at the home. This is due to the commitment of staff in promoting young people’s well-being and safety. Staff are particularly skilled in quickly developing open and trusting relationships with young people. This helps young people accept support and learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Progress

Young people’s safety is further enhanced as they are actively supported and encouraged to use the complaints procedure when the need arises. Complaints are dealt with promptly and appropriately; and young people are informed of the outcome of the investigation. Complaints against staff are dealt with in line with the home’s procedures and referred to the person in the local authority responsible for safeguarding where appropriate. This ensures young people are protected from the risk of harm and that poor staff practice is dealt with in the most appropriate manner.

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Progress

Empowerment of young people continues to be central to the running of the home. Young people’s views and requests are listened to and acted upon where appropriate. For example, in recent young people’s house meetings, young people have requested new cooking utensils, electronic games and keys for bedrooms. These items have all been provided which has helped to promote young people’s cooking skills, leisure activities and their privacy. Furthermore, young people feel valued and their self-esteem improves. Records of young people’s house meetings now include outcomes and actions taken from previous meetings. This helps to monitor if young people’s views are being listened to and acted upon; and it also helps to monitor staff practice.

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Progress

Since the last inspection a new independence programme has been developed which is used as part of young people’s care plans. This is used for all young people and not just for young people preparing to leave care. The programme covers a wide range of areas to support young people develop as many skills as possible and prepare them for their next stages of life. Key work sessions focus on individual placement objectives for example, a visit to the army recruitment office; and support to join a gym.

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Progress

Refurbishment of the home has continued since the last inspection. Consequently, young people benefit from a homely environment which is decorated and furnished to a very high standard. This can be attributed to the commitment of the staff who have worked hard and creatively in obtaining a range of resources to complete the refurbishment of the whole home. Young people have been involved in choosing the décor and have taken part in some of the decorating. Significant improvements have also been made to the gardens. The rear garden is now a pleasant area with a gazebo with a swing chair and patio furniture which young people can relax and enjoy.

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Progress

The home’s development/business plan has been reviewed since the last inspection. It has been individualised to meet the aims and objectives of the home while at the same retaining the key aims of the corporate business plan. The plan now reflects when it has been reviewed; when targets have been addressed; barriers to achieving the targets and includes new targets. The recommendation made at the last inspection has therefore been fully addressed.

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Progress

Monthly monitoring visits are undertaken by representatives of the local authority as required and reports produced. However, since the last full inspection most of the visits have taken place when young people have not been at home. There is no evidence to support that alternative methods have been made to try and contact young people. Therefore, young people’s views have not been taken into account about the care they receive and the running of the home.

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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) ensure, as part of monitoring visits to the home, children have opportunities are available to be interviewed with their consent and in private in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 05/03/2013

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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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