Children's Home run by Praxis Care in Leicestershire

Unique reference number SC032069 Inspection date 27/01/2014 Inspector Catherine Honey Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The provider organisation is a registered charity. This home provides respite care for young people with learning and physical difficulties, and often complex health care needs, accommodating a maximum of four at any one time.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the home's previous inspection in May 2013, the home's overall effectiveness was judged as adequate with three requirements and four recommendations made. Since that inspection, the home's Registered Manager has left. There is a new manager in post who has applied for registration with Ofsted. However, the manager's ability to ensure there is good sustained progress at the home has been hindered. This is due to the time constraints of also managing another children's home within the organisation. The organisation is actively considering alternatives to this situation.

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Progress

All three requirements and four recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Reports conducted on the quality of care within the home are now received by Ofsted within recommended timescales. This improves the regulator's oversight of the home. The manager's own monitoring of the home is robust and works well to ensure that a high quality of care is delivered in the home. The home's statement of purpose has been amended to show how the home intends to provide young people with recreational, cultural and sporting activities. This means those accessing this document, including parents and social workers, have a better indication of opportunities young people have while staying at the home. Monthly reports compiled about the conduct of the home are now available in the office for the staff and manager to read and respond to.

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Progress

There is now further detail in records about young people's individual needs if an emergency evacuation of the building was needed, for example, in the event of a fire. Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of fire safety, the need for regular checks of fire systems and regular fire evacuation practises. This ensures young people stay in an environment with appropriate fire precautions. Where physical restrictions on normal movement within the home are used, for example, where specialist beds are used to help keep children safe at night time, care plans now clearly demonstrate that parents/carers and the local authority, where appropriate, have given permission for its use. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the appropriate use of these beds and the importance of balancing young people's safety needs with their right to explore move about the home.

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Progress

At the previous inspection, a recommendation was made to ensure new employee's written references are verified by telephone. There have been no new members of staff employed since the last inspection so this has not been put in to practice. However, the manager showed a clear awareness of safer recruitment and the importance of verification.

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Progress

The manager and staff team demonstrate a continued commitment to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Staff say that staffing of shifts has become more consistent and, in addition, staff rotas are now produced several weeks in advance which has enabled better use of staff time. There is a development plan in place for the home which is regularly reviewed. Care plans for young people have been reviewed and now have a greater focus on targets and outcomes.

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Progress

Staff know young people very well. Young people present as settled and relaxed in the home. They know the home well and during the inspection chose to spend time playing or enjoying the resources in the sensory room. A minor shortfall was identified during the inspection, on one occasion; a significant incident was not notified to Ofsted. This limits the regulator's overview of the home. However, this was a shortfall in administration rather than practice and there has been no impact on outcomes or safety for young people as all appropriate procedures were followed at the time.

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure if any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30 (1)) 26/02/2014

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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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