Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

Unique reference number SC372511 Inspection date 21/02/2013 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority home provides short break care for up to five young people at any one time, who have a range of 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection, in August 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. Since that inspection, the home has made good progress. The manager has successfully addressed the majority of recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Progress

The manager continues to provide effective leadership and divides her time between this home and the other children's home she manages. The manager is clear about her responsibilities and shows a strong commitment to continue to improve outcomes for the young people who use this short break service. Some improvements to the home environment have taken place. For example; new bedding and wall pictures make the bedrooms much pleasanter rooms for the young people to use. The manager confirms there are plans for significant refurbishment to parts of the home including new floorcovering and storage space for equipment.

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Progress

An experienced and stable staff team work at the home. Since the last inspection a number of additional staff have been employed to permanent posts at the home. This has meant a decrease in the use of casual staff which helps to provide continuity and consistency of care to the young people. The young people who contributed to the inspection said they really look forward to staying, meeting their friends and they like the staff who care for them. Young people participate in a wide range of activities such as baking, craftwork and some are engaged in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Young people were very proud to show how they had contributed to make a large and lifelike scarecrow model in the dining area of the home.

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Progress

Young people benefit from care provided by staff who are supported and trained to meet their diverse needs. The manager is proactive to obtain a range of training for staff to assist them in their work with the young people. This includes advanced first aid, communication support and sexual health training. Staff are aware of the need to keep young people safe from harm and have regular child protection training. A range of risk assessments for the young people, the service and the home are regularly reviewed and are easily accessible to staff. This helps to ensure young people are looked after safely and in accordance with their short break plan.

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Progress

Young people were seen to be happy and comfortable in the presence of staff and had no hesitation to ask them questions, play and talk to them. Staff response was in a caring and warm way at a level of understanding appropriate to the individual young person. A parent who was present during the inspection said they are very happy with the care their child receives. They praise staff for their commitment and made comment about the many enjoyable opportunities available to their child.

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Progress

The manager has a good overview of the running of the service through a range of comprehensive monitoring systems. This includes at a minimum a monthly check of records and files, observation and compilation of a six monthly report to the provider and Ofsted. These rigorous monitoring processes help to ensure a high quality of care is given.

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Progress

One recommendation from the last inspection has been partly met. This relates to the home environment and has been carried over as a recommendation from this inspection.

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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 a homely environment is provided in relation to young people's bedrooms. Also that there are suitable storage facilities for equipment in the home. (NMS 10.3)

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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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