Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC424089 Inspection date 10/12/2013 Inspector Thomas Webber Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a short-break service for young people with learning disabilities, sensory impairment and physical disabilities. It is run by a national children's charity and can accommodate up to a total of 14 young people. Young people may have challenging behaviours associated with their disability and complex health needs that require nursing input.

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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

The overall rating for the home was judged as good at the last full inspection in July 2013. The Registered Manager ensures that a good quality of care and good outcomes for young people are maintained. The manager has taken appropriate action to address the three recommendations for improvement identified at that inspection.

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Progress

Following the last inspection, the manager has produced a very detailed self- evaluation and quality improvement report which identifies how positive outcomes will be achieved for young people. All existing care staff have attained, or are now working towards achieving, the level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma. Regulation 34 reports are now being collated on a six monthly basis that review the quality of care provided, and they are being sent to Ofsted.

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Progress

The manager ensures that good staffing levels are maintained throughout the day and night to meet the individual and collective needs of the young people who access the service. However, a high number, a quarter, of regular agency staff are used to supplement the permanent staff team due to the on-going difficulties in recruiting suitable staff to fill the vacant positions. Young people continue to receive continuity and consistency of care from a stable core staff team despite the reliance on using regular agency staff. Staff remain positive about the level of support they receive. However, staff expressed concern during the inspection about the number of staff and time it takes to sign in the large amount of medication required for young people as part of the admission process. As a result, this activity can significantly reduce the number of permanent staff available to supervise young people. The

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Progress

manager is aware of this shortfall and is taking action to address it.

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Progress

Staff continue to feel positive about the range of training opportunities available to equip them with the skills and knowledge to meet the specific needs of young people using the service. The number of qualified staff employed at the home is now at 63% with the remaining staff currently working towards achieving the relevant qualification.

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Progress

The home continues to provide young people and their parents with an essential and valuable short-break service. Young people benefit from a high level of individual care and support provided to them by an experienced and dedicated staff team. Staff are fully aware of the needs of young people. Staff are also particularly skilled at understanding and interpreting the needs and wishes of young people as well as fully supporting them to make choices about many aspects of their care.

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Progress

No safeguarding concerns have been raised since the last inspection. The home has also not received any complaints. However, the home has received a number of compliments about the care and exciting opportunities young people receive. The compliments also include positive feedback from parents who have been able to take a holiday knowing that their son or daughter is well cared for.

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Progress

The home is divided into two units. Young people live in a caring, safe and pleasant environment which is generally well maintained. The premises provide young people with a good level of communal space to cater for group and individual activities. The home is also fitted with specialist equipment which assists in the delivery of personal care to young people. This is to ensure that the individual needs of the young people accessing the service are met. However, staff expressed concern that essential equipment, such as ceiling hoists, are not always repaired promptly. The manager acknowledged that an effective system for ensuring the prompt repairs to essential equipment is not in place.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from living in a warm, caring and supportive environment. Relationships between staff and young people are extremely positive. Staff undertake their duties in a warm, supportive and extremely respectful and attentive manner. Young people are relaxed and at ease in the company of staff and within their environment.

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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 that where homes offer placements for disabled children, the accommodation provided must be suitable to the particular needs of the disabled children living in the home which may include suitable aids, adaptations and other suitable equipment; with specific reference to ensuring that equipment is repaired in a timely way. (NMS 10.7)

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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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