Children's Home run by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in Barnsley

Unique reference number SC422464 Inspection date 26/03/2013 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, run by a local authority provides accommodation for up to 10 young people with complex needs arising from profound and multiple learning disabilities, autism and other associated health needs. The home provides a short-breaks service.

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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 interim inspection focused on the progress made by the home since the last full inspection in October 2012, at which the overall judgement was good. The home has demonstrated good progress in ensuring there is continued development. The home has addressed the one requirement and the majority of recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Progress

Young people flourish in a nurturing environment, from being looked after by a staff team who are experienced, committed and caring. From their starting point of accessing short breaks at the service, young people continue to make progress in their lives. Young people make particular improvements in their behaviour, social and independence skills. A young person said 'I like visiting.'

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Progress

Progress has been made in addressing one requirement and two of the three recommendations from the previous inspection. Particular carpets in the home have been cleaned to remove stains or replaced. This ensures young people are provided with a suitable, safe and comfortable environment throughout the home. The practice of locking areas at night and the electronic monitoring policy have been reviewed and changes made. This is to ensure institutional and restrictive practices do not exist.

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Progress

Each child’s care plan and supporting records are being monitored and reviewed. These records now demonstrate more clearly the progress young people are making in their lives; including areas relating to their health, independence and daily living skills.

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Progress

One recommendation has not been implemented in full. Young people are able to access adequate social and leisure activities outside the home. However, there has not been an increase for young people to broaden and increase opportunities to access community based activities. This does not assist young people to extend their participation in the wider community.

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Progress

Shortfalls have been identified during this inspection. Some young people's access to a particular area and activities in the home are restricted for periods of time. This is due to an individual young person's specific needs and challenging behaviour. This is affecting the rest of the group of young people in residence. As a result, young people's choice of activities is restricted on occasions. This action is taken to safe- guard all young people but fails to meet everyone's needs in full.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to pursue individual interests and hobbies to include a range of activities including leisure activities and trips. In particular, broaden opportunities for community based activities which support and incorporate extended participation in the wider community (NMS 7.2)  ensure children develop their emotional, intellectual, social creative and physical skills through the accessible and stimulating environment created by the home. In particular, that all have access to the hub area, sensory play and adjoining rooms at all times (NMS 7.1)  ensure the home contributes effectively to each child's short break plan which is reviewed. In particular, making sure that the needs of individual young people can be met along with those of the group. (NMS 25.2)

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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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