Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

Unique reference number SC044880 Inspection date 12/02/2014 Inspector Liz Driver Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 14/11/2013 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

Children with a learning difficulty stay at this home that is operated by a local authority. Up to seven children can be accommodated for respite or permanent care placements.

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

At the last inspection carried out in November 2013 the service was judged as good. One requirement and four recommendations were made; evaluation reports of the manager's review of the quality of care provided at the setting have been submitted to Ofsted in accordance with Regulation 34 of The Children's Homes Regulations, a risk assessment of the setting's fire procedures has taken place with minor actions identified and with plans in place to address them, the registered manager continues to review the staffing levels with an improvement seen in consistency and numbers of staff. Also staff have been reminded of safe practices in relation to handling substances hazardous to health such as safe storage of cleaning materials, and improved recording of the effectiveness of fire evacuation drills is now in place.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection the manager has successfully completed the process to be registered with Ofsted. She brings a high level of knowledge of learning disabilities to the home. She has clearly worked hard to stabilise the home through a period of change. She has had a very positive impact on the lives of the young people by developing staff practices such as delivering positive behaviour support training and reviewing the procedures for recording incidents. Increased use of picture communication systems has resulted in improved delivery of messages that enables daily and life skills to be better understood by the young people.

p.3

Progress

Staffing numbers continue to be actively addressed with current levels providing young people with very good standards of care delivered by a consistent, knowledgeable and experienced staff team. The staff have undertaken training in safeguarding, positive behaviour support and communication methods since the last inspection. This ensures they are kept up to date with safeguarding and child protection guidance and practice and ensures staff can adapt to changing communication needs of the young people.

p.4

Progress

A significant change has been the increased joint working with other professionals such as schools and the young people's families and carers. This has resulted in consistent delivery of care such as behaviour management strategies. Schools report the joint working is excellent.

p.4

Progress

Staff provide young people with a homely experience. Young people continue to receive consistent and clear boundaries and very good quality care and support. Relationships between young people and staff remain strong and nurturing.

p.4

Progress

Young people's safeguarding and protection is a priority. Young people are cared for by staff who have undertaken relevant child protection training and who understand the high vulnerabilities of the young people they care for. The registered manager has robust monitoring systems in place that ensures all incidents and concerns are reviewed and appropriate referrals made if identified.

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