Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC032167 Inspection date 10/01/2014 Inspector Lynne Busby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 29/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This local authority children’s home provides up to 10 short-break placements for children who have physical and/or learning disabilities.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection in August 2013, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be adequate. Three requirements and one recommendation for improvement were made and appropriate action has been taken to address these.

p.3

Progress

Young people continue to be cared for by staff who provide a nurturing environment where they can enjoy short-breaks. This helps develop positive relationships with other young people and staff. Young people benefit from a range of activities which can be individualised and this broadens their horizons.

p.3

Progress

Young people are safeguarded through careful selection and recruitment of new staff. An audit of recruitment files has taken place and any shortfalls have been identified and rectified. This includes ensuring telephone enquiries are made as well as obtaining written references. This helps to prevent unsuitable people from having access to vulnerable young people.

p.3

Progress

Young people have a care plan which includes a progress section; this demonstrates targets they have met. The key worker updates the plan when necessary. Young people's health needs are clearly identified within the care plan. The medication is securely stored and a new recording system has been introduced. This provides a fully accountable system for administration of medication.

p.3

Progress

Staff are trained in a wide variety of safety and childcare matters. Due to the complex needs of the young people specialised training has been sought so staff can have the knowledge and skills to meet specific needs.

p.4

Progress

Young people are safeguarded and present as comfortable and safe in the home. The staff are trained in safe-care practices and they promote the welfare of children. There are clear safeguarding procedures in place which are available to all staff. However, there was one occasion when these were not fully followed. The recording of safeguarding incidents make it difficult to be clear about the process followed. Therefore, recording lacks rigor.

p.4

Progress

The home is visited monthly as part of the quality assurance process. This is comprehensive and includes consultation with parents and young people. Any identified areas for improvement made are acted upon by the manager.

p.4

Progress

The home is adequately maintained and staff try to make it homely. However, because of the design it has an institutional feel. There is an improvement plan in place and the home is shortly to be refurbished.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the prompt referral to the local authority, whose area the children's home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home ( Reg 16 (2)(b) 28/02/2014

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure information about a child is clearly recorded in away which is helpful to the child when they access their files (NMS 22.5)

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5