Children's Home run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC356868 Inspection date 07/03/2013 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home, run by a local authority, provides up to 5 long-term placements for young people, aged from 12 up to 17 years of age on admission.

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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 in December 2012, the overall effectiveness rating of the service was judged as good. Outcomes for some young people have improved, particularly in education or work placement attendance and in gaining additional independence life skills. The actions taken by staff and with the involvement of other professionals, ensures that young people are well supported and has assisted in reducing risk taking behaviour. However, despite the provision of well-targeted and determined support from staff, some young people's behaviour on occasions remains negative and challenging and has contributed to a decline in some of their outcomes. The manager is directing the efforts of staff into arresting this decline. Staff are supported to do this through daily handovers, team meetings and regular supervision, where strategies are reviewed and revised.

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Progress

Positive action has been made to address three out of the four recommendations made at the last inspection. Young people's progress is more effectively recorded to reflect the aims and objectives of their independence plans. This indicates the development of their independence skills in preparation for adulthood and leaving care. The registered person has provided Ofsted with a six monthly summary of the monitoring undertaken and how the service in bringing about improvements to the quality of care provided for young people. However, when reports identify shortfalls in the service, they have not all been acted up on in a timely manner, for example reviewing risk assessments. In addition, not all risk assessments are specific in terms of the type and frequency of monitoring required for individual young people. They do not set out specific guidance for staff to follow to ensure young people are suitably supported and kept safe on the occasions when they are presenting risk

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Progress

Young people's views, wishes and feeling are acted upon, in the day to day running of the home. A young person said, ' I can talk to staff at any time and give my views and we do have residents' meetings where we make suggestions about things. I am listened to. Incidents around the home are happening less but there are still some.' The negative behaviour of some young people living in the home has reduced. As a result, this is affecting other young people less and they are happier to spend time in their own home.

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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

(2001) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children’s home. In particular, address deficiencies identified in a timely manner, for example reviewing risk assessments immediately as changes occur. (Regulation 34 (1)( b) 28/05/2013

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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 that the home has a clear written policy on managing behaviour that all staff understand and apply at all times. In particular, ensure that risk assessments are specific in terms of the type and frequency of monitoring required and that they clearly set out the boundaries in place for individual young people. (NMS 3.3)

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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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