Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Unique reference number SC040638 Inspection date 27/03/2013 Inspector Gavin Thomas Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/02/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of eight local authority children's homes and caters for six young people of either gender. The home supports children and young people who present emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 interim inspection in February 2013, a progress judgement grade was not given because the home was inoperable at the time. The home became operable two weeks prior to this inspection, around which time a young person also took up placement. The home is also operating under a new name.

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Progress

The home has been without a Registered Manager for a period of approximately eight months. Interim management arrangements remain in place and will remain in place until such time when a new manager is appointed. The local authority is in the process of recruiting a permanent manager for this service. The intention is for the acting manager to provide mentoring and support during the initial stages of the new manager being in post. The local authority anticipates that the proposed handover arrangements will ensure consistency with the running of the home.

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Progress

Work undertaken in recent months on the premises now provides a more homely and suitable environment for meeting the home's stated aims and objectives. Replacement furniture and fixtures appear to be more comfortable while ensuring that young people are given opportunities to personalise their own space as and when they take up placements. Provision includes two living rooms, study areas, and a telephone room with a telephone which is fully operational. Good progress has been made since the last inspection to improve the appearance of the proposed self- contained flat which will be used eventually for helping young people learn and develop independence and life skills. The interim manager anticipates that young people occupying these facilities will be actively involved in creating the homeliness of the environment as a learning opportunity.

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Progress

Effective working relationships are being established between the home and external agencies for ensuring young people's safety and protection. This includes agreed protocols with the local police force for responding to incidents if young people are missing from care. Written policies and procedures have been agreed and updated.

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Progress

Extensive work has been undertaken in improving health and safety and fire safety arrangements including the installation of new fire safety doors. On-going fire safety arrangements include the regular testing of the fire detection system, fire drills and monitoring of the fire risk assessment. A recent fire drill has been carried since the home became operable again. However, the record of fire drills only refers to those who attended the drill by number. Because of this style of recording, it is not possible to establish who actually attended the drill.

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Progress

Young people are being supported and cared for by an established staff team consisting of existing and newly appointed staff; this includes staff who have returned to their substantive posts after a period of redeployment. Staff are motivated and supportive of recent changes and developments which they are say very positive. Planned time is allocated for staff training, development and team meetings; observations at the time of this inspection demonstrate how this time is being used effectively. New staff are allocated adequate time for induction purposes and all staff are bonding as a team and developing positive working relationships.

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Progress

Staff training opportunities are wide ranging, including topics of interest relating to the aims and objectives of the home. Incorporated in this includes training such as attachment theory, various aspects of safeguarding and behavioural management. The vast majority of staff have a relevant professional qualification with the remaining staff team registered to undertake the Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma.

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Progress

Management systems are comprehensive and detailed, including the on-going implementation of a service development plan. This plan is extensive and kept up to date. Great emphasis is also being placed on admission criteria and managing the introduction of young people to the home to ensure that the right mix of needs are considered. The key work system is instrumental in helping young people establish new relationships and familiarity with their new surroundings.

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Progress

The young person and staff are all very optimistic about this home. The young person is already looking forward to some very significant events which have been planned with the staff team and staff are enjoying working under the leadership of the acting manager, but mindful of forthcoming management changes. Young people's records and all other records examined are of a high quality and consistent with practice.

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Progress

The hard work and management of change in preparing this service for becoming operable again is now evident in practice. However, it is far too soon to establish and evaluate continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people; this is reflected in the progress judgement grade given for this inspection.

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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 there is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping. In particular the record of fire drills to provide more precise details of those attending each fire drill. (NMS 22.1)

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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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