Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC386430 Inspection date 23/10/2013 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, which is operated by a locally-based private company, provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The provider also operates other homes in the area. The company has a contract with another private care provider to provide education services through a small specialist school, situated approximately 20 miles away.

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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 full inspection in May 2013, the overall rating was judged to be good. One requirement and two recommendations were made to further improve the quality and standards of care. The home has fully addressed the requirement and one of the recommendations. One recommendation is continued until fully addressed; a further requirement and recommendation have been raised as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Contact details for the Children's Rights Director have now been included in the young person’s guide to the home. This is a comprehensive child friendly document that provides clear detail about the service and can be personalised by young people.

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Progress

Ofsted have been notified in writing when any changes to the management of the home have been made. This allows for any necessary scrutiny of the management arrangements in providing for the delivery of a professional and suitable service to young people.

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Progress

The home continues to provide a service which develops young people’s independence skills. Alongside both practical and household skills, young people are engaged in a variety of activities which support their physical, social and emotional development. Young people also enjoyed a summer holiday at an activity centre. Priority is given to the education of young people and both attend school full time. They have clear aspirations for the future and a stakeholder stated that help is given with school and homework. Young people confirm that they are happy in the home and feel safe, reporting that they can ‘speak to most staff if they have any concerns and get on well with their keyworkers.’ Appropriate contact with family continues to be encouraged and supported by the staff.

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Progress

Behaviour management generally avoids the use of psychical intervention with just one taking place since the previous inspection. The practice manager and young person confirmed that this intervention was necessary to avoid serious injury to a member of staff. However, the record log is not fully completed as required. This makes it difficult to determine if behaviour management leading up to the need to use physical intervention was appropriate.

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Progress

An allegation made by a young person was not dealt with in line with child protection procedures. Although the young person later said they did not want to make a complaint, and the circumstances of the complaint were complicated, the detail was not passed to the local authority designated officer (LADO) for their consideration. This practice has potential to compromise the protection of young people. The practice manager had already taken or took immediate action to address this and the recording shortfall.

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Progress

A recommendation to provide a development plan has been repeated. The practice manager has made a start on producing a plan, however this is still to be completed to provide a focus for continuous practice development, build on the strengths of the home and address any identified weakness. Practice developments are now included as a fixed item on the staff meeting agenda. This allows for staff to present ideas and discuss development progress.

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Progress

Positive comments were received from a close relative of a young person, who expressed that they felt this was a 'very good service' and that the therapy provided was making a difference.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of restraint a written record is made which includes items listed in (3)(a-i) and (4)(a) and (b) of the regulation. (Regulation 17B (3)(a-i) & (4)(a-b)) 22/11/2013

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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 the homes development plan is reviewed annually and details any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirms continuation of the home's current operation and resources. (NMS 15.2)  ensure that allegations made against people that work with children are reported by the designated person to the LADO. This includes allegations that on the face of it appear relatively insignificant or that have also been reported directly to the police or Children and Family Services. (NMS 20.6)

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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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