Children's Home run by The Amicus Community (Arundel) Ltd in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC449155 Inspection date 20/01/2014 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides four places for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The setting is one of two children's homes operated by the same private organisation. Young people placed at the home attend the organisation's school.

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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 July 2013 the home was judged as outstanding in all areas. No requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

Excellent progress continues to be made. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure detailed therapeutic placement plans are in place and are under regular review. This means that the emotional needs underlying negative behaviours are sensitively addressed with positive outcomes as a result. For example, young people no longer exhibit high risk behaviours and there are significant improvements in other risk-taking behaviour, such as unauthorised absence from the home.

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Progress

There is an excellent approach to medicines management. For example, a thorough risk assessment is conducted in consultation with health professionals to ensure young people are kept as safe as possible when they are on prescribed medication but absent from the home.

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Progress

Young people continue to live in an environment that is warm, homely and comfortable. Since the last inspection new arrangements are in place to ensure a more efficient and swift response to any maintenance issues. There are positive outcomes such as the replacement of guttering to ensure sufficient drainage in adverse weather conditions.

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Progress

Young people speak positively of the home and the progress they are making, citing they do not want to leave. They speak positively of the support given to promote contact with individuals who are important to them, such as having an overnight stay.

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Progress

The leadership and management continues to be strong. Since the last inspection there has been some restructuring to further strengthen the communication across the organisation as a whole, including education. Therapeutic placement plans have meticulous attention to detail and the immediate and on-going emotional needs of young people are known to all staff. This means there is a robust and consistent approach to meet each young person's unique needs. Outcomes are positive, such as young people who have shown aggression to staff now engaging with them, for example by cooking a meal.

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Progress

There continues to be a robust approach to health. For example, some young people undergo a psychiatric assessment with considerable work done to help prevent them from developing mental health issues. Swift and decisive action is taken by qualified first aiders in the event of an accident. There has been one such accident since the last inspection which was dealt with very effectively. Staff ensure they discuss the emotional impact of such an event with the young person, as well as meeting the physical needs in consultation with health professionals.

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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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