Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC424103 Inspection date 19/02/2014 Inspector Bridget Goddard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a short-breaks service run by a national charitable childcare organisation. The home accommodates up to eight children and young people with disabilities. The young people’s needs range from moderate to severe learning disabilities with associated physical, health and sensory impairment and/or complex multiple needs.

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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 good progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection in June 2013 this home received an adequate judgement overall. Three requirements and four recommendations were made as a result of that inspection, and the home has made good progress in addressing these.

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Progress

The first requirement involved ensuring that there was an effective system for pre- stay planning for young people. Shift leaders now complete a clear and simple form prior to stays which details young people's preferences and records possible, planned activities. This is used consistently by staff, who feel it has improved the quality of young people's stays. Holiday planning is also now more thorough, with daily plans in place and an activities ideas book for staff to use. This requirement is therefore met.

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Progress

The second requirement related to ensuring staff received both appropriate supervision, and routine safeguarding training. Records and staff feedback report appropriate supervision at timely intervals. Safeguarding training is done annually by staff, but the monitoring of this is insufficiently updated. The requirement is therefore met, but a recommendation will be made in relation to training monitoring. The third requirement concerned maintaining a system for formally monitoring the home's practices under Schedule 6. This is now consistently carried out and so this requirement is met. However, these reports are not routinely sent to Ofsted at the required intervals and so a further requirement will be made.

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Progress

The home has made good progress on the first recommendation which was to formally monitor young people's progress. There is now a new individualised form which records young people's targets and their progress in reaching them. This form also records young people's likes and dislikes, their choices, and encourages their maximum independence. It is clear that this more personalised approach to young people's care has had a positive impact on day to day practice. Young people's different needs and interests are well-met by responsive staff who use a mixture of planned and young people led opportunities. For example, some young people are engaged in making pizza, others play the piano, and some dance or shape play- dough. This means that young people can have an enjoyable stay, but at the same time learn useful new skills that will help them in every day life. This recommendation is therefore met.

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Progress

The second recommendation concerned procedures for monitoring fire safety in the home. There is an effective system in place for routinely doing fire drills including evacuations, and this appropriately involves young people. However other regular fire checks are not done to the frequency expected by their organisation. This recommendation will be repeated.

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Progress

The third recommendation related to ensuring there was a system to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping. There is evidence of a file audit form being routinely used, and so this recommendation is met.

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Progress

The fourth and final recommendation related to updating the statement of purpose. This has satisfactorily been completed, but has not yet been sent to Ofsted. A requirement will be made to this effect.

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Progress

Generally the home environment is much improved, with photos of young people and art work on the walls, and accessible storage so that required items can be quickly located. Outside is well kept with a large, comfortable shed for messy or noisy play and an inset trampoline. Some of these initiatives reflect effective partnership working both locally and further afield, and they have improved the quality of young people's stays.

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Progress

Parents and young people have recently been asked about their views of stays, and responses are positive. For example, one parent says their child is showing 'increased confidence in expressing her wishes'. This reflects the good progress this home has made particularly in offering more individualised care.

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Progress

Two requirements will be made as a result of this inspection. Neither of these shortfalls has an adverse impact on the well -being of young people. Two recommendations will also be made.

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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 there is a system for monitoring the matters in Schedule 6 at least once every three months, and a report in respect of this is supplied to HMCI (Regulation 34 (1) (a) and (2) ) 21/04/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is sent to HMCI (Regulation 4 (2)) 21/04/2014

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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 there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring fire safety in the home (NMS 21.1)  ensure there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring that staff training is completed in a timely fashion. This specifically relates to safeguarding training. (NMS 21.1)

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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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