Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC359832 Inspection date 25/02/2013 Inspector Paul Taylor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This setting is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a private organisation.

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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, carried out in September 2012, the home was judged as good. One recommendation was made on that occasion. This related to the necessity for the manager to monitor all the records kept in the home, in line with regulations and the home's own policies. On the whole this has been achieved with key work sessions and other records, such as risk assessments and care plans, being the subject of regular checking and endorsement by the manager. However, there was one occasion where an incident of physical restraint has not been recorded in the correct format and the manager had not noticed this shortfall. While the record of the incident is clear and there has been no compromise of the young person's safety and well-being, the correct details have not been fully included in what should have been a record of a restraint and not an incident report.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from living at the home. Their individual progress is developed and encouraged and this has enabled them to achieve good attendance at their education placements and to develop their life skills. Particular progress has been made by young people who have developed interests in enriching activities and local clubs. This has enabled them to develop their confidence and social skills. 'It's good here, they care, they help you,' was a comment made by a young person.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the manager has completed the process to become the Registered Manager. This has ensured that the home has a permanent manager who can offer consistent support and advice to both young people and members of staff.

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Progress

The staff team continues to review the effectiveness of plans and works hard to ensure that the young people receive consistent boundaries, care and routines. 'This is a very good staff team,' was a comment made by a member of staff. 'They're fair and they listen,' said a young person.

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Progress

The home continues to liaise closely and effectively with external agencies, especially if there are concerns in relation to safeguarding and child protection. This ensures that there are clear individual protocols and procedures to follow in the event that there are any specific issues to address.

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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

17B (2001) the registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose (Regulation 17B (3) ) 08/03/2013

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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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