Children's Home run by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Cornwall

Unique reference number SC432404 Inspection date 13/12/2013 Inspector Paula Lahey Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 30/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is part of a local authority short breaks service for up to two children with disabilities, complex individual needs and fragile health.

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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 July the home was judged as good with three requirements and three recommendations raised. Since this time the home has taken action to address the necessary improvements, however, a small number of areas require further consolidation to become embedded into practice.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the manager has been successfully registered with Ofsted. In addition, a deputy manager has started work in the home and is supporting the leadership and oversight of the service. Since their appointment they have taken positive steps to identify areas for improvement and a robust action plan is now in place. Some staff report that the appointment of the Registered Manager and deputy is having a positive effect on the home and enabling each member of staff to develop their role and responsibilities further.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose has been revised since the last inspection and a copy provided to Ofsted for review. In general the document contains good information about the services provided and the support given to young people. However, it does not contain an explanation about how the home supports positive behaviour and the use of electronic devises to monitor young people. This is a shortfall in recording rather than direct practice.

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Progress

A colourful, easy to understand and child friendly version of the Statement of Purpose has been produced. It contains clear information about how families and young people can contact the Children’s Right’s Director, Ofsted and an independent advocacy service as well as a summary about what the young people can expect from their visits.

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Progress

The independent visitor ensures that young people, staff and families are able to share their views about the quality of care and activities in the home. Positive feedback has been received. Observations into direct practice are undertaken along with a review of young people’s records and key information. This now also includes oversight of any complaints made about the home. Written reports are completed. However, during the inspection there was no evidence of one report being lodged in the home. It was therefore, unavailable to the staff team in order for them to read and act upon any recommendations.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is now sending notifications about significant incidents to Ofsted. However, the system in place relies on the availability of the Registered Manager. As such, there was a notable time delay in the notification of two incidents occurring during the Registered Manager’s absence. The staff team have been directed to read the regulation and national minimum standards related to this. However, as yet they do not demonstrate confidence at understanding their responsibility and accountability for this task.

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Progress

The manager now has a summary of the safe recruitment checks of the staff team. This includes a full employment history and confirmation of the reasons for any gaps in employment.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from and enjoy their visits into the home. The staff team have a good understanding of young people’s individual needs. As such, their complex health and physical needs are well met and young people are assured of being nurtured and cared for. Staff demonstrate affection with young people and positive relationships are fostered. Young people are provided with one-to-one support from both nursing and support staff.

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Progress

The home completed a risk assessment as recommended at the last inspection regarding staffing levels. The document identified the potential issues but did not sufficiently ascertain the actions taken to minimise and/or manage any risks. The Registered Manager has identified that staff need training and support regarding risk assessments and a plan is in place to address this. In the intervening period the previous recommendation has been continued. This relates specifically to ensuring there are clear strategies in place regarding the deployment of staff when there are two on duty.

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Progress

A member of the staff team has spent some time with a local play therapy department and is using the skills learnt to develop activities offered in the home. A number of craft and sensory activities are offered and young people have been enjoying preparing the home for Christmas celebrations. Their hand made decorations adorn the tree and lounge. A new fish tank has been purchased and young people help to feed the fish and enjoy watching the different colours.

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Progress

Improvements are being made to make the bathrooms and bedrooms less clinical and as homely as the communal areas. Plastic glove dispensers have been removed and the home is in the process of purchasing child friendly coverings for the clinical waste bins. These improvements will have a positive effect on the environment provided for young people.

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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) compile a written statement, referred to as the Statement of Purpose and ensure is consists of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1 (Regulation 4 (1)) 10/02/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if, in relations to a children’s home, any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30 (1)) 31/01/2014

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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 risk assessments are carried out to identify any potential sources of harm to the children and are recorded in writing. In particular, ensure the risk assessment for deployment of staff when there are only two on duty includes robust strategies to minimise and manage the identified risks (NMS 10.8))  ensure that the written report of all visits carried out under Regulation 33 is lodged in the home for the manager and staff to read and to respond to (NMS 21.8)  ensure that there is a system in place to notify, within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30. Ensure the system includes what to do where a notifiable event arises in the absence of the Registered Manager. (NMS 24.1)

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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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