Children's Home run by Children and Family Services Limited in Luton

Unique reference number SC028599 Inspection date 14/02/2013 Inspector Christy Wannop Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately-owned children’s home which provides residential care for up to four young people with learning difficulties who may also have a physical disability. It is one of two operated by the registered person, situated opposite each other. Some children still in full-time education stay beyond the age of 18, when they move into adult placements.

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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

There are currently no children at the home, but there have been very recently and the service intends to continue operating as a children's home. The home is operating in accordance with its conditions of registration and the registered person remains fit for registration.

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Progress

The judgement at the last full inspection in May 2012 was good. Progress since then is also good. The service continues to offer well-planned, thoughtful care to children with learning and physical disabilities.

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Progress

The service demonstrates its capacity to improve because it has met all the requirements and recommendations made at the full inspection. There is now a clear and informative Statement of Purpose that meets regulation and tells staff, placing authorities and parents what they need to know about the children's home, including that there are currently young adults living there. The service now makes sure that they notify all the relevant bodies about significant incidents that happen at the home. There are now proper, safe locks on bathroom doors so young people have privacy, but staff can also get in to help if there is an emergency. Recruitment is now carried out by fully-trained staff and records now evidence a robust procedure that includes all aspects of government good practice guidance. The registered person has carried out a thorough review of the quality of care, inclusive of the views of stakeholders, and has implemented identified improvements. A report of this has

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Progress

been sent to Ofsted and plans are underway for a second cycle of monitoring, review and improvement within the twelve month period. This makes the home a better place for children to live and reflects the responsible person's pro-active approach to developing the service.

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Progress

The service has provided excellent care to children with extremely complex health needs at the end of their life. A placing authority says the service has been, 'phenomenal' in dealing with children's, 'precarious health' and described how staff's concern for children's welfare has always been translated into clear and effective care and a, 'long and happy life'. They work very well with placing authorities, health services, education and with families to ensure holistic care and staff are well equipped and trained to do so. Children's families say, 'we are very happy with everyone.' One described knowing that people at the home loved their child and they said the home is, 'absolutely wonderful'.

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Progress

The service makes good transition plans for the children who have become young adults, currently living at the home. These ensure that pathways to independence and adult placements are clear and agreed. Young adults lead active lives in the community and have highly individualised care at home. They have respect from staff and clearly feel at home; they are comfortable and able to communicate their needs using makaton, symbols and pictures. Staff listen closely and carefully to catch their unclear communication. Young adults gave thumbs up to the way they feel about living at the home. Professionals also express 100% positivity and confidence.

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Progress

There is clear leadership from the registered person, who has taken on the additional role of Registered Manager for both homes, but plans to recruit a permanent manager. There is a core staff team with a good range of expertise, skills and experience. The staff team, including the registered person, support good practice and each other. However, in recent months, the system for staff supervision, including of new staff and the registered person, has been inconsistent, so not everyone has had formal one-to-one support and guidance. Despite this, staff are confident that their service is always striving to improve. One staff said, 'working here is lovely.'

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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

 ensure staff are supported and guided to fulfil their roles and provide a high quality service to children; specifically that all staff, including the registered person, have regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff. (NMS 19)

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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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