Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Sandwell

Unique reference number SC437486 Inspection date 19/02/2013 Inspector Elizabeth Barrett Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service offers short breaks for up to five children and young people. The service is available to children and young people with a learning disability, a physical disability and/or sensory impairment. This service is delivered and managed by an independent provider that operates other social care services.

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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

At the last inspection in October 2012 the overall quality rating of the service was judged as adequate, with five requirements and three recommendations made to improve the provision. This service demonstrates its capacity to improve because it has met the requirements and the majority of recommendations made, and is judged to be making good progress following this inspection.

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Progress

All young people now have short break care plans in place which mean they benefit from individualised care and support. Progress is made by young people in relation to their personal needs, challenging behaviour, and communication and social skills. For example, some young people have made significant progress with their non-verbal communication, through the effective use of sign language, pictorial aids, and objects of reference. Young people with compulsive behaviours are developing skills to regulate personal care routines such as bathing and toileting, because staff are using diversionary techniques and activities. This means that young people receive person centred support to make positive choices that promote learning and independence.

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Progress

Following the last inspection this service has implemented a clear policy and procedure for managing and supporting positive behaviour. Staff have undertaken behaviour management training including the de-escalation of conflicts, physical restraint, and the use of sanctions suitable for young people with learning disabilities. Individual risk assessment and behaviour management plans inform strategies to reduce risk, and support positive behaviours. This means that all staff are provided with clear information and guidance in relation to managing behaviours, which helps to maintain a safe environment for young people.

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Progress

The use of physical intervention and sanctions are minimal in the home. Records reflect how staff have intervened positively to reduce the impact of incidents and events of challenging behaviour, for example, by using redirection and a change of environment. Improvements are made to the recording of restraint which now provide details of the behaviours leading up to the measure, and the effectiveness of the intervention used. Staff have recently completed training on the recording of incidents, and the Registered Manager has identified behavioural management as an area for continuous improvement in the services development plan.

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Progress

The manager has developed a new process for responding to complaints. A secure electronic system contains details of complaints made and received, the process of investigation, and the outcome of a complaint. Records of complaints seen are made in line with regulations. Copies of regulation 33 visitor reports are now available in the home for the manager and staff to read and respond to any actions. Improvements are made to the formatting of these reports which provide clear evaluation of areas monitored. Systems are in place to ensure internal quality assurance checks are routinely taking place. However, checks made to records at this visit, identify minor shortfalls such as missing signatures, and some reports do not provide sufficient detail and clarity of events. The Registered Manager recognises that improvements are required to ensure monitoring of records are more effective and efficient. A recommendation is made to address this shortfall.

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Progress

Following the last visit the provider has ensured the recruitment of a sufficient number of suitably competent and experienced staff to the home. This means the service can effectively meet the aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose, and ensure a consistency and quality of care. There has been a significant investment in staff training such as safe working practices, autism awareness, and short breaks for disabled children. Teamwork practices are developing because of this training, and staff morale is at an improved level. Staff comment highly about the improvements to the service following the appointment of the Registered Manager, because he is proactive in responding to the needs of the service. Comments from staff include ‘The manager is great, and is always there to guide and advise us.’

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Progress

Improvements have been made to young people’s bedrooms following the last inspection. Personalised name plaques have been individually crafted, and are attached to each room for the duration of a young person’s stay. In addition, young people choose from a variety of soft furnishings and pictures to individualise their rooms. However, following changes to the maintenance support to the home, repairs and redecoration is not undertaken in a timely manner. This means that some areas of maintenance have been outstanding for several weeks, and areas of improvement are significantly delayed such as the opening of a sensory room. Therefore a recommendation is remade at this visit to ensure this shortfall is addressed.

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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 the home is well maintained and decorated in a timely manner, particularly in relation to improvements required to children's bedrooms, and the sensory room, to ensure all suitable resources are available to meet the needs of the disabled children living in the home (NMS 10.3)  ensure the manager regularly monitors in line with regulations, all records kept in the home to identify any specific incidents, patterns and trends, particularly in relation to ensuring all records provide sufficient clarity and detail, and are signed consistently. (NMS 21.2)

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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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