Children's Home run by Break Charity in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC025718 Inspection date 29/01/2014 Inspector Louisa Bayley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 22/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This children's home provides accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is owned by a registered charity that also owns a number of other children's homes.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

This home was judged as adequate overall at the full inspection in May 2013. The manager has addressed the two requirements and four recommendations identified at the full inspection.

p.3

Progress

The manager has addressed shortfalls in his internal monitoring in the home, in respect of fire safety checks. He checks that all fire safety testing is in place as part of his monthly review of the home. Additionally, he has nominated a member of the team to have responsibility for fire safety, further strengthening oversight of this aspect of management of the home. The fire records show that fire safety checks are up to date, regular testing is in place and there are mechanisms to ensure good oversight of fire evacuation drills and any issues with fire equipment. This promotes young people’s safety within the home.

p.3

Progress

The records of young people’s meetings, key work sessions and internal monitoring and reporting demonstrate that staff actively seek and act upon young people’s wishes and views. The manager has implemented meetings with representatives at different levels within the placing authority. This shows good leadership and partnership working, enabling a forum to address actual and potential issues and improve communication.

p.3

Progress

The staff support young people to prepare for moving on, independence and work. There is good engagement with the organisation’s transitions team, which helps young people to prepare their curriculum vitae and look for work, as well as to prepare for new placements. The staff consistently support young people to access training, education or employment. This has not been successful for all young people as some have had difficulty in sustaining work or education. However, the staff continue to look for alternatives and advocate on young people’s behalf to support them to access a range of opportunities. Parents and social workers confirm that staff support young people in this way.

p.4

Progress

The manager has written and implemented a development plan. The plan considers the shortfalls identified through the previous inspection and additional targets. The manager reviews the plan on a regular basis, supporting improvement in the home.

p.4

Progress

There is an improvement in the frequency of supervision. Staff say they feel supported by the supervision and training they receive and that it helps them to work effectively with young people.

p.4

Progress

Parents, professionals and young people have positive views of the quality of care in the home. A young person said, of a member of staff: ‘She is like a mum to me, she really looks after me.’ Parents said ‘the home is brilliant’ and ‘they do everything they can to support my child’.

p.4

Progress

The manager and staff work proactively with the police and have successfully reduced incidents of young people going missing or being absent without authority. Staff understand the triggers for young people going missing and have worked with individuals to promote their sense of safety. Parents confirm that staff check on young people to make sure they are safe when they are not in the home.

p.4

Progress

External monitoring by an independent visitor takes place monthly. However, the visits have not considered the views of parents. This means opportunities to gather a wider picture of the quality of care is missed.

p.4

Progress

Staff have used sanctions for behaviour on two occasions since the last inspection. However, the records do not state the time of the sanction, a clear picture of the events leading to the sanction or the effectiveness of the measure used. One of the records did not have the views of the young person concerned. Consequently, the records do not comply with the regulatory requirements and opportunities to reflect on whether behaviour management approaches have a positive impact on young people.

p.4

Progress

The manager has not submitted the current Statement of Purpose to Ofsted. There are minor changes regarding staffing in the home, however, lack of submission means that Ofsted does not have up to date information. The shortfalls identified during the inspection have not had an impact on the safety, well-being or progress of young people and are far outweighed by the positive developments in the home.

p.4

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and the children’s guide and notify the HMCI of any such revision within 28 days (Regulation 5 (b)) 14/03/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include the matters set out in Regulation 17B (Regulation 17B (3) (b) (d) (f)) 14/03/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) interview, with their consent and in private, such of the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 14/03/2014

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 encourage young people to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home of any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint (NMS 3.18)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6