Children's Home run by Bedford Borough Council in Bedford

Unique reference number SC409502 Inspection date 23/01/2014 Inspector Rosemary Dancer Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is run by a local authority and provides care and accommodation for up to five children with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and sensory impairment. Three children or young people can be accommodated under short break arrangements, 1 young person can be accommodated as a permanent placement and 1 young person can be accommodated under a shared care arrangement.

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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 May 2013 the home was judged as being good overall. This inspection was carried out to assess the progress the home had made in meeting the requirements and recommendations made at the inspection in May.

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Progress

The improvements made as a result of the home addressing all of the requirements and recommendations are as follows. All parts of the home are now in good structural order and safe for children. The arrangements for internal and external monitoring of the home involve children, parents and other significant people; their views are considered in the development of the home. The internal monitoring is evaluative and focused on improvement. The arrangements for the storage and administration of medication have been improved to better ensure children and young people's medication is stored safely and administered as required. The exit system from the home has been improved and no longer restricts children and young people's liberty. There is a system in place for notifying Ofsted and other relevant organisations and people of any significant events that happen in the home. Children and young people progress in all areas of their lives as a result of living in or

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Progress

coming to stay in this home. Parents are supported in their, often difficult, role of caring for children and young people with complex needs. New children and young people have settled well into coming to stay in the home. Children and young people and look forward to their stays, even when they previously did not want to use the home; some are now asking to come more often that is planned for them.

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Progress

Children's and young people's, often complex, health needs are understood and met by a staff team that advocate to get the resources that young people need to improve their daily living experience, for example wheelchairs that are best suited to their needs.

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Progress

Children and young people's behaviour and emotional well-being improves as they have developed their communication skills. This means that they can express their wishes and feelings more effectively and that issues arising, such as disagreements, are dealt with.

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Progress

Children's views continue to be sought and acted upon in the day-to-day life in the home. For example, through the monthly meetings during which they are very well supported to express their wishes and feelings. Issues they have discussed include the décor of the home and the activities. As a result wall art has been purchased and this has brightened up the home, a Christmas party was organised and enjoyed by all and musical instruments have been purchased that children and young people use and enjoy.

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Progress

Children and young people's care needs and plans are well known by staff and their progress is clearly documented by the home. However, paperwork required to be provided by the local authority's social workers is not always received in a timely way; some is very out of date. Despite the manager's careful audit system and best efforts to obtain up-to-date information this has not been forthcoming. This does not support the home in caring for children and young people.

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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 the result of all statutory reviews and reviews of placement plans are recorded on each child's file; with specific reference to continuing to request the information from the responsible social work department. (NMS 25.8)

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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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