Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Hesley Group Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC008015 Inspection date 20/01/2014 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 09/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service, run by a company, is a residential school that accommodates young people who have complex needs and severe learning difficulties, including autism. The whole school is registered as a children's home.

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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

This home was judged as good at the previous full inspection in October 2013. Following this interim inspection, this home is judged to be making good progress and has successfully addressed the shortfalls outlined in the previous three requirements and four recommendations. No breaches of regulation or shortfalls in meeting the national minimum standards are identified as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Improved recording methods ensure that all physical intervention episodes are documented in line with legislation. Young people are provided with the opportunity to be examined by a medical practitioner as required. All young people and staff involved are supported by being able to discuss such incidents with a relevant adult. Young people are effectively safeguarded by these measures. A parent commented, 'he is happy and safe there, I couldn’t be happier'.

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Progress

Young people are further safeguarded by the strong partnership working between the home and all professionals involved in their care. This excellent level of communication ensures that significant events are notified to all parties, including Ofsted, in line with legislation. A local authority designated officer, (LADO), stated: 'they check things out and make appropriate referrals. There have been a couple of young people where there have been a number of notifications and they make sure that they inform the social worker as well so there is double protection. They attend LADO meetings and they will always bring files to those. I have no concerns.'

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Progress

Parents also report how impressed they are with the level of communication between the home and themselves. One parent stated: 'I phone them every night and staff are very helpful and willing to talk to me. I get regular mailings which keep me up to date with staff changes and any changes in the home.' Another said: 'at the previous placement I was getting phone calls every day with negative behaviour. It’s not like that there, they call to tell me how he’s doing and the good things. I’m pleased with that and pleased with him.' This outstanding level of interaction is now enhanced by the improved independent monitoring visits which include contact with parents to ascertain their views on the care their young people receive. As a result young people's well-being and sense of identity are enriched as important familial relationships are maintained.

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Progress

Better quality planning and recording of formal supervision sessions ensure that all staff receive professional guidance from suitably qualified persons. Young people fully benefit from being cared for by staff who feel supported in their roles. One staff member commented, 'I have always felt valued here and that my work has been worthwhile' and a new staff member said, 'I love it here, the induction was very good so I knew what to expect and what was expected'.

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Progress

The proactive management team, working in partnership with the education staff, have striven since the last inspection to improve already good methods in obtaining young people's views. The newly developed 'complaint key ring' and comprehensive menu choices sheets were seen and approved by the school council before being rolled out for all young people. As a result young people gain confidence in their abilities and feel listened to thus enhancing their self-esteem and well-being. A parent stated: 'he is very happy there and he’s kept busy and active. He has a varied timetable which is important to him. I like the place, there is a wonderful atmosphere. I’m over the moon with it.'

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Progress

A further improvement is the partnership working between the home and school to enable every young person to have a comprehensive independence plan and 'empower them to take every opportunity'. Strong transition plans are individually tailored for each young person, effectively preparing them for the move to adult provision. Young people's diverse, holistic needs and abilities are comprehensively identified enabling skills to be built upon and the development of practical life skills. Another parent said: 'he is very happy there and a completely different child. I’ve seen a tremendous difference in him. He's a lot more content and he does a lot more for himself.'

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Progress

Continuous improvement is driven by the motivation and commitment of the manager and staff team. As a result young people are happy and thrive within a stimulating, warm and caring environment. A senior staff member stated: 'the two big pieces of work currently happening is on the menu and the transition. That will be more individualised and we are using various communication methods to give young people more choice which is empowering. Improving the supervision is pulling everything together.'

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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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