Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

Unique reference number SC044880 Inspection date 15/03/2013 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

Children with a learning difficulty stay at this home that is operated by a local authority. Up to seven children can be accommodated for respite or permanent care placements.

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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 in October 2012 the home was judged as outstanding in all areas. No requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has made considerable progress. For example, the Registered Manager identified the need to relocate certain activities such as art and computer use. She has worked with a local charity to raise funds for a new cabin to be installed in the garden to enable this to happen. This means that the individual needs of children are met with sensitivity, dignity and respect. For example, the busy environments where activities take place is no longer located near to children who cannot tolerate noise and disturbance.

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Progress

Children continue to benefit from consistent and excellent standards of care from a professional and enthusiastic staff team. The staff's enthusiasm is stimulated by exceptional leadership from the management team. The Registered Manager helps channel staff’s energy by being available to them and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning, for example, by gaining formal qualifications in autism or senior staff being supported by external training in coaching and mentoring. Staff speak very positively of the training and support they receive.

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Progress

Staff are consistently concerned with the welfare of the children they are supporting. There is good knowledge of the care plans unique to each individual including the positive behaviour strategies to be used. Since the last inspection staff have engaged in intensive interaction training. They are unquestionably committed to de-escalation techniques when presented with challenging behaviours. A comprehensive incident analysis procedure has been introduced. Incidents are analysed with possible triggers identified and positive corrective action taken, such as updates to risk assessments and positive behaviour management plans. As a result children benefit from the calm environment and situations do not escalate. This approach reduces the number of significant incidents for children requiring physical intervention.

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Progress

Outcomes for children are excellent. Their life experiences and confidence are enriched in a caring and nurturing environment at a pace commensurate with their cognitive ability. Children benefit from highly individualised support which helps them develop their life and social skills, for example making their own beds or deciding on contact times. Meticulous attention is given to develop specific routines for independence. Communication tools, such as individual, detailed symbol books for a particular activity specific for an individual child, are developed. This means that children develop independent living skills, such as being able to put on items of clothing. There is less close contact by staff and, for some children who are sensitive to touch, this means that challenging behaviours, such as self-injurious behaviour, are significantly reduced since the last inspection.

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Progress

Children receive carefully and sensitively delivered support. For example, some children on the autistic spectrum, who struggle with change because of their disability, have their anxiety minimised through consistent systematic practice, routines and communication tools. Detailed transition plans are carefully prepared and communicated, for example through a social story. Staff ensure such plans address the emotional impact of the transition to adult services as well as the practical arrangements. This means that young people who leave the service fully understand what is happening and are able to express their emotions and be totally supported through the transition period.

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Progress

The home provides children with an excellent standard of accommodation. All areas are suitably maintained with communal and personal spaces providing adequate space, comfort and facilities. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms during their short stay. They benefit from considerable investment in the fabric of the building to meet their individual and generic needs, for example some flooring has recently been replaced in a lounge and there are clear plans to refurbish the shower rooms. However, such plans do not currently include the bathroom chairs which are damaged.

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Progress

Children have their placement needs addressed through an excellent process of care planning. Support plans enable staff to have an excellent knowledge of what approach is needed to ensure children are fully safeguarded, for example through the use of monitoring devices. Such monitoring is fully understood by staff and implemented consistently in practice. There are high standards of care which protect children's privacy and dignity while keeping them as safe as possible.

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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

 provide an environment that is well maintained and decorated, in particular the bath and shower seats. (NMS 10.3)

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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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