Children's Home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Bristol

Unique reference number SC066250 Inspection date 24/01/2014 Inspector Maureen Hamer 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

This service is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. It is owned by a private company that also operates other children's homes in the surrounding area.

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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

The overall rating for this home was judged as good at the last full inspection in May 2013. At this inspection there is adequate progress. At the last inspection four requirements and two recommendations were made to promote improvement. The children’s guide is more accessible to young people and contains necessary details to enable them to contact support outside of the home. The complaints log now shows sufficient detail to demonstrate engagement of the complainant in the process and the outcome of the complaint. Young peoples’ care files contain information about the effectiveness of behaviour management. There have been no restraints in the home that require recording, however young peoples’ care files do contain the necessary information about the effectiveness of behaviour management interventions. All events that have needed notice to be given to HMCI have been acted upon in a correct manner. Therefore all requirements have been

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Progress

met. Young people are involved in the setting of menus and there are varied and individualised diets in place. The front of the home has had some improvements made and a new carpet has been laid in the dining room. In addition the manager has engaged young people in the redecoration of the home’s education room. However, the home continues to need further maintenance. The lounge carpet is dirty and damaged. A framed picture in the lounge was broken and glass was hanging from the frame, this was unsafe; the manager removed the frame during the inspection. The office door is scuffed as a consequence of young people kicking the door when seeking staff attention. French windows showed dirt that the staff were not aware of as needing cleaning. Some walls in the hall and lounge were marked and damaged as a consequence of damage from young people. This does not reflect a respectful or homely environment. Consequently the recommendation from the previous inspection is not

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Progress

met. Episodes of young people going missing have stopped, increasing young people’s safety. Incidents of challenging behaviour have also reduced. Young people say that the staff help them to manage their behaviour and staff have made stress balls with them that young people find helpful to manage their tension. Young people have also adopted techniques such as walking away from stressful situations. However, a recent incident between young people demonstrates that there is some stress and disrespect between young people in the home. The manager is acting to mediate between the young people and is working cooperatively with local community police to engage with young people to promote positive behaviours. The staff say that they are being more proactive to avoid incidents of challenging behaviour. In addition, the organisations psychologist works with young people and staff to ensure that a consistent approach is applied. However, young people do not

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Progress

always feel listened to, so the staff are not always acting proactively to avoid such incidents. The home is not providing good educational input to all young people. In particular to young people placed in an emergency. Some educational guides have been provided to young people and the manager provides some homework support to young people. Not all the staff are engaged in this support and this is hindering educational progress and is reducing young people's opportunities to gain new friends. The newly appointed and Registered Manager is promoting a nurturing and young person centred environment in the home. The manager is a good role model and demonstrates a respectful approach to engaging and listening to young people. Young people respond positively to this approach. A programme of improvement work with staff is in place to address the issues identified in this report. There is capacity to improve.

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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 that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation. (31)(2)(e)) 28/03/2014

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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 that there is an environment and culture, to promote models and support positive behaviour that all staff understand and implement (NMS 3.2)  ensure children are helped by staff to achieve their educational or training goals. This includes support, facilities and opportunities as needed. Staff work with a child's education provider to maximise each child's achievement and to minimise any underachievement. (NMS 8.4)

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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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