Children's Home run by Broadlands Hall Limited in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC060936 Inspection date 22/02/2013 Inspector Gwen Buckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 03/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides care, accommodation and education for up to 11 young people with learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

Brief description of the service

There is a large education building, which is inspected by Ofsted, in the grounds of the home.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

The service was last inspected during October 2012 when the overall effectiveness was judged as good. The home demonstrates good progress in improving the quality of care and helping young people achieve. There was one statutory requirement and one recommendation arising from the inspection. These have both been satisfactorily addressed. Restraint records clearly indicate the type of hold used and the system for monitoring records has improved. The Registered Manager only signs records actually checked and blank pages in records books are no longer signed.

p.3

Progress

The new Registered Manager displays an enthusiastic commitment to continuing improvement for the benefit of young people. The home demonstrates good progress in improving the quality of care and helping children achieve positive outcomes. The Registered Manager has been instrumental in introducing a number of new initiatives that are improving outcomes for young people. Changes to staff contracts and the staff rota ensure more residential childcare officers are available to care for young people when they are not in school. Young people continue to attend school regularly and develop useful skills promoting independence. Improved contact arrangements with family also better suits a young person’s needs.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection, five staff left to work in a new home operated by the registered provider. Recruitment to all these posts has taken place with three staff already started. Until they were in post agency staff have been used. Staffing levels have been maintained and care has been taken to ensure agency staff with the right skills and where possible already known to the young people were provided. Young people feel safe and cared for by staff they know and trust.

p.4

Progress

Care for the young people reflects the targets set in the young person’s reviews. Actions raised at reviews are being met such as developing independence skills for individuals and obtaining specialist medical services. Young people benefit from a staff group who clearly understand their needs and the actions needed to support the young person. A new recording system called ‘my daily support plan’ is in place. This is in different formats to assist young people in understanding the expected routines and the plans for the day. Staff maintain a record of how the young person has been and what they have achieved in this book. Although progress has clearly been made and outcomes for young people enhanced; since starting this new recording system key working sessions are no longer recorded as expected by the home’s own guidance.

p.4

Progress

Over time the home has gradually taken young people with a learning disability and who all have a diagnosis of autism. The Registered Manager has shown a commitment to ensure the needs of these young people are met by specialising in caring for young people with autism. Referrals for admission are turned down when it is considered a new admission will disrupt the routines and affect negatively on the care provided to the young people. Because of this development, the Statement of Purpose no longer accurately reflects the service provided.

p.4

Progress

The restraint log and incident records clearly cross-reference and all information required by regulation is maintained between these recording systems. However, information required in the restraint log such as the reasons for a restraint is maintained in the incident log. The restraint records clearly indicate the type of hold used and in some cases a guiding hand is recorded as a restraint. This is open reporting and good practice ensuring young people are kept safe.

p.4

Progress

The home has met the previous requirement and recommendation. It has made good progress in the care and outcomes for young people since the previous inspection. There is one statutory requirement and two recommendations arising from this inspection.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) 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. This specifically relates to the details of any methods used to avoid the need to use restraint. (Regulation 17B (4) (b)) 01/04/2013

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure the manager monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure with compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. This specifically relates to the frequency key work sessions are recorded (NMS 21.2)  ensure the aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose are child focused and show how the service will meet the outcomes for children. This specifically relates to how the focus on provided a service for autistic children is reflected in the Statement of Purpose. (NMS 1.32)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6