Children's Home run by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in Rotherham

Unique reference number SC037521 Inspection date 13/02/2014 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a short break service run by a local authority, providing care and accommodation for young people with learning and physical disabilities.

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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

This interim inspection focused on the progress made by the home since the last full inspection in May 2013, at which the overall judgement was adequate. The home has demonstrated good progress in ensuring there is continued development. The home has addressed the requirements and the majority of recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Progress

Young people receive short breaks in a safe, caring and supportive home that enables them to make positive progress in aspects of their lives. This is because they are cared for by a staff who are child focused, suitably experienced and trained; who build very good relationships with young people to assist in bringing positive experiences and outcomes.

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Progress

The requirements from the previous inspection have all been positively addressed. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and updated to ensure that professionals and families receive clear and accurate information on the care and service the home is to provide to young people. Permanent and agency staff receive formal supervision routinely. This assists in staff development and in the monitoring of care practices provided to young people. As a result, the care provided to young people is improving. Young people’s placement plans have been reviewed and revised to ensure information, goals and targets set are accurate. This enables young people to achieve in learning daily living skills; socialising within small groups; taking part in activities and maintaining positive behaviour. Full safe recruitment checks are being undertaken. As a result, staff are suitable and safe to care for young people.

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Progress

The majority of recommendations have been addressed. Young people access a range of activities, including more routinely accessing the local and wider community. This provides young people with new opportunities and enjoyment which enhance their life experiences and builds their self-confidence. Young people's Placement Plans include suitable targets and goals set which they are being supported to achieve; records are kept to reflect the progress each young person is making in this respect. The fire risk assessment has been reviewed to ensure safe fire precautions are in place and implemented.

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Progress

Two recommendations have not been implemented in full. Although monitoring of the home is taking place and omissions and deficiencies are identified immediate action is not always being effectively taken to address the identified shortfalls. This does not ensure that the quality of care for young people is improved in all areas consistently. While there has been some progress in recruiting to vacant posts, there are still staff vacancies. The home has not had a full staff compliment for some considerable time. Although there has been a reduction in the use of agency staff, they are still being used to ensure suitable and appropriate staffing levels can be maintained to fulfil the home's statement of purpose and meet the individual needs of all the young people accessing the short break service.

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Progress

A shortfall has been identified during the inspection; the Regulation 33 visitor is not routinely consulting with parents during monthly monitoring visits in order to form and support an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home.

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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) interview with their consent and in private, such of the children, 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),(5)(a)) 15/04/2014

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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 effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. In particular, ensure monitoring systems identify all omissions and deficiencies and lead to the registered provider and manager taking immediate action to improve the quality of care (NMS 21.1)  ensure the overall number, competence and deployment of staff, both as a staff group and on individual shifts, can fulfil the home's statement of purpose and meet the individual needs of all the children staying at the home. (NMS 17.1)

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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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