Children's Home run by Lifeworks Charity Limited in Devon

Unique reference number SC003792 Inspection date 06/02/2013 Inspector Linda Bond Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This registered children's home is run by a charitable trust and provides care and accommodation for children and young people on both a long-term basis and for short stay breaks. It is registered to provide eight short break and two long-stay residential places for children and young people who have learning disabilities and may also have physical 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

At the last inspection in October 2012, the home was judged as good overall. Two recommendations were identified to support further improvement. Both have been met.

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Progress

Following a recommendation made, young people now benefit from a bathroom that is less clinical and more homely. Further improvement works are planned. As a result young people can enjoy bathing in age appropriate surroundings that continue to provide privacy and meet individual needs.

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Progress

A recommendation was also made in respect of ensuring a copy of reports of registered provider visits were made available to staff. These reports are now accessible and provided in a timely manner. Young people benefit from both a stable management and staff team. Staff continue to receive regular supervision and feel supported by management to attend training courses. This includes working with other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for young people. As a result young people have short breaks in a home that provides a good quality of care and where they enjoy a range of age appropriate activities and leisure pursuits.

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Progress

Young people with complex and challenging behaviours continue to benefit from a staff team dedicated to meeting their needs. Strategies to manage a range of behaviours are in place and recordings are in the main clear and considered. However, following some serious incidents the required authorities, including Ofsted, were not notified. Some further shortfalls were also evident in relation to monitoring and the analysis of monitoring. s a result a clear and considered action plan has been put in place. Placing authorities now benefit from consistent and frequent communication.

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Progress

Written records are kept of all medication that is administered. Staff receive good medication training from internal and external professionals, which is underpinned by a comprehensive record on medication handling that staff are required to complete. This procedure is overseen by the senior staff. A recent medication error has been appropriately addressed by management and all medication that is administered is now being recorded meticulously.

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Progress

All staff are employed through well managed and formal interview and recruitment panels. All statutory safer recruitment checks are satisfactorily carried out before staff work with the young people. Staff are supported by a manager who has a strong commitment to the young people and has ensured that the home has a development plan.

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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 if, in relation to a children's home, any of the events listed in colum1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table (Regulation 30(1)) 07/03/2013

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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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