Children's Home run by Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC061795 Inspection date 06/02/2013 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The setting is one of two homes operated by the same private organisation. It accommodates six young people on a planned or emergency basis. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for young people with emotional or 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 July 2012 the home was judged as outstanding for overall effectiveness. The high quality of care is being maintained. One recommendation was made and this is met in full. Records clearly demonstrate each young person is offered independent medical advice after any physical intervention. The number of incidents requiring restraint is very small.

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Progress

There is a robust admissions process. Senior staff ensure all the information is available about each young person prior to placement. Young people are able to visit prior to admission and have their views taken into account. There is an initial assessment period during which the placement is reviewed. The robust procedures give each placement maximum opportunity for success. Young people benefit from on-going dialogue between staff and others interested in their welfare, such as the placing social worker. Professionals say: 'I can’t fault the home in any way', and, ‘the weekly reports are the best I have ever seen from a children's home.' Staff are fully aware of the difficult and challenging emotions young people experience. Full support and advice are given by staff and other professionals, such as the child and adolescent mental health service. Young people have easy access to a range of support to help them manage their difficult emotions.

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Progress

The challenging or risk-taking behaviours of young people are considered in detail, with suitable strategies put in place to manage and reduce their vulnerabilities and risk. Most risk-taking behaviours are reduced. Staff have comprehensive training in safeguarding the young people in their care. They work hard with other professionals to minimise risk when young people are absent from the home. This includes individual detailed risk assessments for sexual exploitation when young people go missing from the home. Senior staff consider the risks young people have been exposed to historically. This guides to them to highlight concerns and challenge other professional advice to prevent recurrence of events. Young people are kept as safe as possible.

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Progress

Young people are admitted who have a history of going missing from care. Staff follow diligently the robust procedures when an incident occurs. This includes a 'Runaway and Missing from Home and Care' protocol with the police. A comprehensive personal safety awareness module is used for each young person, with individual reflection on past instances when young people have put themselves at risk. Young people learn from their previous experiences. Risk assessments make staff aware of the individual vulnerability of each young person. There is a swift and robust response involving other professionals when incidents occur. This includes liaising with the police missing persons’ coordinator and the local police community support officer.

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Progress

Staff make it a priority to meet individually with every young person to obtain their feedback on the service. Young people provide their views and make realistic and insightful suggestions for improvement, such as suggesting educational trips. Prompt responses help young people believe that their views are actively sought and influence the running of the home.

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Progress

A focused approach ensures young people engage in education and further training and learning. Attendance in education is good, with staff also engaging young people in appropriate learning programmes when they are not in full-time education.

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Progress

A comprehensive monitoring process ensures all aspects of care provision are routinely reviewed and considered. All monitoring reports have been submitted to Ofsted as required, while notifications of most significant events have been forwarded when necessary. However, there were two incidents requiring notification to Ofsted that were not sent. This had no negative impact on the young people. The manager reviews all incidents and ensures that staff response is proportionate and effective. This includes any incidents involving the police. There are clear plans to review the current procedure to ensure it is in line with locally agreed protocols for police involvement. However, this was not complete at the time of inspection.

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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) notify without delay, if any of the events in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30(1)) 08/03/2013

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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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Recommendations

 complete the review of the procedure for monitoring and controlling serious incidents that involve calling the police. (NMS 21.1)

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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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