Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Unique reference number SC036019 Inspection date 21/02/2013 Inspector Judith Longden Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority home which accommodates a total of 15 children in three separate units, with five placements in each unit. The service provides care and accommodation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is also a school on site.

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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

This home was judged to be making good progress at the last interim inspection. This inspection is an additional interim inspection due to a high number of notifications received by Ofsted relating to young people going missing from care.

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Progress

The home has responded thoroughly to these and continues to demonstrate improvement in the quality of care, safeguarding and outcomes for young people. A particular strength of the home is the extensive work undertaken to ensure young people are kept as safe as possible within and out of the home. There are examples of excellent joint working with other agencies to address incidents where young people go missing and there are concerns about their welfare. A member of staff has been identified to oversee the multi-agency work and as a result the number of young people thought to be at risk when they are missing has significantly reduced as has the incidents of them being missing from care. Young people are supported to understand risks and how to manage their own safety. Young people who have previously self-harmed have been helped to understand their behaviour and develop strategies to prevent further harm. The home has worked closely with other agencies

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Progress

to address issues of sexualised behaviour of young people and has increased the one-to-one work with young people to discuss relationships and sexuality. As a result the young people are safer and the risks presented by their behaviour are reduced.

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Progress

Young people are increasingly positive about the care they receive and enjoy improving relationships with staff and with each other. Young people are able to identify that their behaviour has improved as a result of relationships with staff. The home has devised a new, in-depth recording format for the use of restraints and physical intervention which includes thorough debriefs with staff and young people involved. This ensures consistency in the recording of intervention and has provided valuable learning for staff in understanding triggers and causes of behaviour. As a result there has been a reduction in the use of restraints.

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Progress

Young people continue to be involved in their care and participate in more regular one-to-one meetings with staff. The format of young people's meetings has been altered to provide a less formal approach and this has improved the level of engagement by young people. The home is consulting with young people on plans to move into two new homes to be built nearby. This means they are involved in the future development of the home and the care they receive.

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Progress

Young people continue to make good progress in achieving positive outcomes especially in education. All young people are in some form of education and attendance has improved. Young people are engaged in a range of activities and hobbies that are educational and enjoyable. These include astronomy, trips to museums, army cadets and football. This enables them to develop skills and improve their confidence and self-esteem.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection

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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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