Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hesley Services Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC035687 Inspection date 18/03/2013 Inspector David Martin / Michael McCleave Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 11/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This provision is a residential special school and is owned by a private organisation. The school can offer accommodation for up to 46 children and young people between the ages of eight years to 19 years. Children and young people have complex needs and severe learning difficulties, including autism. The residential accommodation is registered and inspected as a children's home by Ofsted.

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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 service had its last full inspection in May 2012 when overall effectiveness was judged to be good. Outcomes for children and young people, the quality of care, safeguarding and leadership and management of the home were all considered to be good. Requirements and recommendations were made concerning the Statement of Purpose, consultation with young people, the use of community safety aids and supporting young people to express their cultural needs. The service has responded positively and has made good progress in achieving compliance.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose was fully reviewed in 2012 and a revised version issued in January 2013. It is fully compliant with regulation and now specifically sets out the school’s underlying ethos and philosophy, the arrangements for promoting positive behaviour and staffing details. These developments ensure that young people and their representatives know what to expect from the service and can hold it to account. The school has made good progress in improving the way in which it seeks the views of young people. Young people are now routinely consulted as part of monitoring processes. In addition they have individual and group access to advocacy services that visit the school on a quarterly basis. This enables young people to have their say on the way in which the school and residential services are run.

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Progress

The school has developed an assessment and evaluation tool relating to the use of community safety aids. This enables them to record the progress young people are making. The school is able to demonstrate that over time it is supporting young people to access community facilities using less restrictive equipment. The school’s approach assists young people in understanding risks and dangers when they are away from the school site and contributes to their overall safety and wellbeing.

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Progress

The school has also developed an assessment tool to help them identify young people’s needs associated with ethnicity, culture and identity. Where appropriate, young people’s support plans have been amended to reflect this new information. The school has made good progress in this area and is developing a fuller understanding of the unique needs of individual young people.

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Progress

The Registered Manager position is currently vacant but an individual has been identified as a suitable person to fulfil the role. The school is aware that an application for registration must be made to Ofsted within 28 days.

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Progress

Overall, the school is making good progress in developing and improving. No recommendations or requirements 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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