Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC037454 Inspection date 27/03/2013 Inspector Kevin Whatley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service is a mixed gender children's home for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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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 carried out in July 2012, the home was judged as outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

The home continues to develop and improve on excellent standards of care. In particular, young people make significant progress in reducing challenging and inappropriate behaviours. Individualised strategies are put in place which are successfully implemented in practice. Guidance is readily available from child care experts who support the whole team in developing consistent and thoughtful approaches to addressing challenging behaviours and attitudes. Young people say they have been helped to stop dealing with their feelings negatively, such as self- harming or causing damage to property. Staff are trained in the use of physical intervention; however, the emphasis on communication and de-escalation of situations means that no restraints have taken place. Comprehensive records are kept of all incidents, which provide an accurate account of events that the management team closely monitor and reviewed.

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Progress

A robust recruitment process ensures all checks are completed before staff work with young people. New staff complete a comprehensive induction programme which they say is extremely useful. Staff then undertake the required qualifications in care with all staff either holding or working toward the award. Many staff hold qualifications far in excess of those required. This culminates in an environment where expertise and skills are brought together to ensure high standards of care are cemented in practice and improved upon wherever possible.

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Progress

A clear strength of the home are the strong and positive relationships which young people and staff share. Staff display an excellent understanding of the young people’s individual needs of young people and are committed to ensuring they make progress. Young people say they continue to receive, 'fantastic' support from staff, especially their key-workers.

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Progress

Young people benefit from living in a home that provides them with a good standard of accommodation. Since the last inspection all bedrooms have been fitted with new modern flooring, while the lounge area has been re-decorated and re-designed. Such improvements are made in consultation with the young people who say they are pleased with the outcomes.

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Progress

The atmosphere of the home is relaxed, homely and caring. Interactions between staff and young people are respectful and thoughtful. Staff confirm that they receive, 'excellent support and guidance' and commented that they 'love working at the home'.

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Progress

Young people are given full encouragement and support to engage in their education. Attendance rates at school are extremely high. Young people who have histories of non-attendance have been assisted to establish regular attendance. The atmosphere of the home promotes education and further learning, with plans put in place for young people to attend college once their statutory schooling has ended.

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Progress

Young people comment that they really enjoy living at the home and that they feel 'very safe' and 'very well looked after'. Young people also say they have made really good progress in many areas of their lives, notably in being helped to improve relationships with their parents, in reducing risky behaviour and achieving in their education. Recent feedback obtained as part of the home’s monthly monitoring process included comments such as, 'The home has been exceptional in caring for my child and staff are brilliant.'

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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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