Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC399222 Inspection date 13/01/2014 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service is run by the local authority, which is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with severe learning disabilities. The home particularly accommodates children on the autistic spectrum and can provide shared care.

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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

At the last inspection, in April 2013, the home was judged to be outstanding in all areas. No requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from intricate care planning and staff who understand their individual needs. For example, staff consider the psychological benefits of participating in an activity such as horse riding, as well as the physical benefits. Young people benefit from being taught how to behave appropriately in the community through staff using effective strategies, such as social stories. Consequently there are excellent outcomes such as significant improvements in self- management of behaviour and independence. There are successful discharges from the home back to the family environment and into special-needs mainstream education. The home is successful in meeting its aims and objectives as described in the Statement of Purpose.

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Progress

All necessary precautions are in place in the event of fire. Young people are kept safe and know how to evacuate the home in an emergency. Young people who have a history of difficulties in the event of an alarm going off, have personal emergency evacuation plans in place. Young people practice this regularly which minimises their anxieties and ensures they know what to do in an emergency.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff operate in a culture of continuous improvement. For example, since the last inspection a separate medication room has been established and medication administration records redesigned. This has further strengthened the already robust medication procedures and minimised the chance for error. Staff development plans include specific tasks for improvement, such as further developments to the sensory garden and how the home teaches young people about religious holidays.

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Progress

Staff continue to demonstrate a thorough understanding of autism and the individual strategies to use with young people. The environment continues to be maintained to a high standard with staff ensuring it is a low arousal environment. This gives young people on the autistic spectrum every chance of success. There is early evidence that new placements, are successful, for example in the lowering of anxieties and subsequent minimisation of challenging behaviours. Such strategies are shared with parents for a consistent approach.

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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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