Children's Home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Bristol

Unique reference number SC066250 Inspection date 08/02/2013 Inspector Michael Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. It is owned by a private company that also operates other children's homes in the surrounding area.

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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

In July 2012, the full inspection of the home judged its overall effectiveness to be good and did not identify any areas for improvement, or require or recommend any action. This interim inspection found that the home has made satisfactory progress since then, because it has maintained the quality of care and outcomes for young people, that were both judged to be good at the full inspection.

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Progress

Following the full inspection, the home applied for, and Ofsted agreed to, a minor variation to its categories of registration to reflect the fact that it is currently a home for children with learning disabilities as well as emotional or behavioural difficulties. As required, the home's Statement of Purpose and children's guide have been revised accordingly, so that staff, young people, their parents and placing authorities can be clear about the range of children's needs that the home intends to meet.

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Progress

To facilitate proper oversight, since the last inspection Ofsted have received reports of: monthly registered provider visits to the home; the Registered Manager's bi- annual check, in August 2012 and January 2013, on the matters to be monitored by them; and notification of relevant significant events. Any queries or concerns arising from notifications received have been satisfactorily addressed by the home's Registered Manager at the time, to demonstrate that appropriate action had been taken during and following the incident. In August 2012, the Registered Manager reported: 'The dynamic at July 2012 of the three male young people at the home is working well.' However, in January 2013 she reported: 'There have been some difficulties between the three boys placed and incidents of bullying. The dynamic between the three varies and there are no particular victims or perpetrators.' By the time of this inspection, these difficulties had been satisfactorily resolved.

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Progress

Overall, good outcomes for young people have been maintained since the last inspection, supported by the good quality of care that has also been maintained.

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Progress

Good outcomes have been maintained for two of the three young people in placement during the last inspection. One left the home in December 2012 for a planned return home. The home has received compliments from the young person's parent and placing authority for the care and support they provided him with to enable his return home. Their placing social worker called: 'To thank staff at [the home] for the work completed with [the young person] to enable his return home.' The second young person is still placed at the home. Under the heading 'placement progress', the latest independent review of their care reported that they have settled in well and things seem to have improved since they started a motor mechanics course at a local college. They returned from this course during this inspection, when they told the inspector that things for them at the home have been 'alright' since the last inspection, bar a recent difficulty with a particular member of staff. The third

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Progress

young person has left the home, having made an unplanned move to a relative following a difficulty with another boy in the home. However, they have recently re- entered the company's care, having just been placed at another of their children's homes. The latest independent review of their care at the home reported that he 'continues' as before in key areas such as health, family contact and education, and that the placement continues to be suitable. A new young person has recently visited the home and met the young person in placement, as part of their preparation for moving into the home and leaving another home in the company.

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Progress

The home has maintained its consultation with young people, so they know that their views, wishes and feelings are taken into account in the day-to-day running of the home. This inspection took place on the day of the weekly residents' meeting. These meetings have continued with the one young person in placement, when they have the opportunity to have their say about things such as activities and sanctions imposed.

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Progress

No weaknesses were identified during the course of 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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