Children's Home run by Broadlands Hall Limited in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC060936 Inspection date 22/11/2013 Inspector Linda Leeder Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides care, accommodation and education for up to 11 young people with learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

There is a large education building, which is inspected by Ofsted, in the grounds of the 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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in August 2013, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good with two requirements and one recommendations made; both requirements are satisfactorily addressed, improving some areas of care. The recommendation has not been addressed. Although the staff continue to provide a good quality of care for young people overall, some additional shortfalls have been identified. In light of this, the judgement at this inspection is inadequate progress.

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Progress

The service now ensures that procedures are followed in relation to young people going missing from the home and all young people have a robust plan that conforms to the relevant police and local authority protocols. This ensures the continued safety and protection of young people should they leave the home without permission. The children's guide now has the address and telephone number for HMCI and therefore young people are able to contact Ofsted should they have any concerns about the service. Personal information about a young person is openly displayed in communal areas of the home. Therefore, this information could be made known to others and does not safeguard young people's privacy and dignity.

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Progress

Policies and procedures in regards to whistle blowing and safeguarding do not give staff information about what to do in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect. This is specifically in relation to an allegation made about registered persons within the service. The policies do not mention or give information about how to refer to the local authority designated officer. Clear guidance is not given within the policies about when a referral is to be made to the local authority in relation to allegations about members of staff. This is especially relevant given the vulnerability and special needs of the young people accommodated within the home and could have a detrimental effect on their safety and protection.

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Progress

Supervision is not regular and the recording of supervision is not routinely carried out. This has caused problems for some staff in obtaining continuity of support. The lack of good quality supervision does not support, challenge or motivate staff and management to provide competent care to young people.

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Progress

Young people’s files and information held about them are confusing and in some respects are out of date. Risk assessments and medication information have not been updated in line with the service’s guidelines and as a result, staff reading the files are unclear how to meet the needs of individuals in relation to changes in their medication and to specific risks to and from young people.

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Progress

Fire safety at the home is generally efficient and competent; however, the home has not implemented one aspect of its fire safety policy and has propped open self- closing fire doors; this would compromise young people’s safe in the event of a fire at the home.

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Progress

Young people invest in their placement. Young people say that they like the staff who work with them. Young people know how to make a complaint and say that staff listen to them. As a result, young people feel that their opinions are valued and their concerns are considered. They are encouraged to take part in activities external to the home, and to develop friendships in the local community. As a result, young people develop self-esteem, social skills and emotional literacy.

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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

(2001) ensure that the home is conducted in a manner which respects the privacy and dignity of children accommodated there (Regulation 11 (2) (a)) 29/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) prepare and implement written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect, with specific regards to allegations made about the registered persons (Regulation 16 (1) (b)) 29/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the procedure under paragraph (1) (b) shall in particular provide for the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home (Regulation 16 (2) (b)) 29/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a requirement under paragraph (1) (b) for persons working at the home to report any concerns about the welfare or safety of a child accommodated there to a police officer; an officer of the local authority in whose area the home is situated or an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Regulation 16 (2) (f) (ii) (iv) and (v)) 29/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed by the registered person receive appropriate supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 29/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person shall maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home a record in permanent form which is kept up-to-date (Regulation 28 (1) (b)) 19/01/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person shall after consultation with the fire and rescue authority take adequate precautions against the risk of fire with specific reference to ensuring that fire doors are not propped open. (Regulation 32 (1) (a)) 29/12/2013

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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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