Children's Home run by SureCare Residential Ltd in Essex

Unique reference number SC384018 Inspection date 13/02/2013 Inspector Judith Longden Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 30/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned by a small private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and 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 good progress .

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Progress

This home was judged as good at the last full inspection in October 2012. Since that time the home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and the outcomes for young people. The home has addressed and met the three recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Progress

A recommendation was made to update the children's guide with details of how young people can contact Ofsted and their Independent Reviewing Officers and how to secure access to an independent advocate. An updated guide has been produced and each young person has their own version with their individual information. This means young people are provided with full and accurate information on how to obtain support or comment about their care.

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Progress

A further recommendation was made to provide a written development plan. This is now in place and provides a vision for the future delivery of the service.

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Progress

The final recommendation was made in relation to staff being able to manage their own feelings and responses when dealing with young people's behaviour. This has been discussed in team meetings and in supervision and staff have a clear understanding of boundaries and relationships. This has resulted in stronger relationships with young people and an improvement in young people's behaviour.

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Progress

Young people are very positive about the care they receive and feel involved in all aspects of their care and in the running of the home. They continue to contribute to house meetings and make good use of key work sessions to express their views and opinions. Young people have been involved in the induction of new staff to the home.

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Progress

The manager has responded robustly to errors identified by the regulation 33 visitor in relation to the administration of medication. The errors have been discussed with the individual staff member concerned, and in addition the issue of medication administration and recording has been the subject of team meetings and supervisions for all staff. Staff have also completed assessments to ensure they are competent in the administration of medication. This means medication practice is safe.

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Progress

Young people continue to make very good progress in achieving positive outcomes. All young people are in education and achieving to a high standard. One young person has secured a part-time job at a charity shop and another is currently applying for part-time work. Young people continue to enjoy a wide range of leisure activities such as fishing, cycling, swimming and visits to London. As a result young people continue to learn, develop new skills and grow in confidence.

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Progress

There has been a significant improvement in the contact arrangements for young people. One young person said the staff had been very supportive in helping them with contact and said, 'I am really happy about it.'

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Progress

The home has developed individual independence programmes with young people which include work on how to manage their own medication, budgeting, cooking, shopping and making appointments. As a result young people are improving their independence skills and coping strategies giving them more confidence and belief in their ability to move on from the home. One young person said, 'I feel better prepared about moving on from the home because of the new independence programme.'

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Progress

The Registered Manager is in the process of moving to a new home within the organisation but currently remains in post whilst the new manager completes their registration with Ofsted. This ensures the new manager receives good support and induction into the organisation and provides a smooth transition of leadership for the staff and young people.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations are made as a result 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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