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

Unique reference number SC008015 Inspection date 21/03/2013 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 26/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service, run by a company, is a residential school that accommodates young people who have complex needs and severe learning difficulties, including autism. The whole school is registered as a children's home.

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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 September 2012 and its overall effectiveness was judged to be good. The quality of care, outcomes for young people, safeguarding and leadership and management of the school were also judged to be good. One statutory requirement was made concerning records relating to the employment history of staff. Four recommendations were also made in connection with the system for the administration of medicines, the repair and refurbishment of one part of the school, the freedom of movement arrangements in one house and consultation with young people and others as part of Regulation 34 reporting about the quality of care. The school has made good progress in achieving compliance.

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Progress

The school has made good progress in the way it explores the employment history of prospective staff. New documentation has been introduced to ensure that this information is captured at interview. It has been applied to all staff employed by the school since the last inspection. This ensures that all adults working with young people are safe and suitable. The school has made very good progress in improving the way in which medicines are handled. All senior staff have completed a comprehensive training programme on the safe administration of medication. All support staff are in the process of completing it. Strict auditing of medication records has been implemented. This includes an individual review for all young people. The action taken ensures that the risk of errors occurring has been reduced significantly. Young people’s medication is managed safely.

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Progress

In general, the standard of accommodation throughout the school is good. It reflects the individual needs and tolerances of young people. In parts of the environment that are subject to an unusually high level of damage, the school has a rolling programme of repairs. It continues to modify and adapt the premises using materials that are hardwearing and resistant to destructive behaviour. The premises continue to meet the needs of young people.

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Progress

The school has worked hard to ensure that no young people are subject to unnecessary restrictions on their freedom of movement. Some young people have to have high levels of staff supervision, but this enables them to access the community on a routine and regular basis. As noted above, the premises are being adapted continually to ensure the safety of young people. In some cases, the school has promoted multi-agency discussions and is taking all necessary steps to respect a child's rights, including working closely with placing authorities, courts and parents.

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Progress

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 Regulation 33 and 34 processes. Young people 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

Overall, the school has made good progress in seeking to improve the service it provides. It has achieved compliance with previous recommendations and requirements. No statutory requirements or recommendations 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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