Children's Home run by Step-A-Side Company Limited in Gloucestershire

Unique reference number SC030650 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Thomas Webber Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 15/08/2013 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 is one of two run by the same limited company. The home currently provides long term and respite care and accommodation for a maximum of five children and young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties, or learning disabilities.

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

The overall rating for this home was judged as good at the last full inspection in August 2013. One requirement for improvement was made as a result of that inspection. This related to making suitable arrangements for the recording and safe administration of young people's medication. The Registered Manager has taken appropriate action to comply with this requirement. This has included regular monitoring of all medication administered to young people. As a result, significant improvements have been achieved in relation to this area of practice. The format used for the recording of prescribed medication administered has also been reviewed and revised to achieve on-going compliance.

p.3

Progress

The manager continues to exercise strong and effective leadership. This ensures that young people benefit and thrive from living in a home which is extremely well managed. The high level of personalised care and support, including specialist input, strongly contributes to and enables young people to make significant progress, socially and educationally. Relationships between young people and staff are warm and friendly with young people being relaxed and at ease in the company of staff. The contact that young people maintain with their families continues to be positive and in some cases has increased. Young people attend a range of educational placements which are tailor made to meet their individual needs. Their school attendance remains high and as a result, most young people are continuing to make good to significant progress. The practices undertaken by the home ensure that young people receive a good quality service.

p.3

Progress

The manager ensures that good staffing levels are maintained throughout the day with two staff sleeping in each night. These staffing arrangements meet the individual and collective needs of young people. There have been no staff changes within the home since the last inspection. As a result, young people continue to receive continuity and consistency of care from a stable and qualified staff team. The specific needs of young people who regularly receive respite care are met by using additional staff from a small number of domiciliary care staff employed through the organisation of the home.

p.4

Progress

Incidents of young people going missing remain minimal. Records show that staff take prompt and effective action which ensures that young people are returned safe and at the earliest opportunity. Positive behaviour is promoted through the strong relationships established between staff and young people together with the home's incentive scheme. Previously, the use of restraints and sanctions to address negative behaviour had been kept to a minimum. However, since September 2013, there has been a small increase in this practice. This, in part, coincides with the change of group dynamics within the home. Detailed records are maintained of these incidents.

p.4

Progress

The home is suitably maintained, although some damage has been caused as a result of recent incidents of challenging behaviour. There are plans in place to repair the damage. Given the design and limitations of the premises, it still provides young people with suitable facilities to meet their needs. Young people are provided with their own bedrooms, which are personalised to their individual tastes. The home also provides young people with good bathing and toilet facilities to meet their individual and collective needs.

p.4

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.5

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.5