Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC068076 Inspection date 27/02/2014 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home provides short-term placements and is owned and run by the local authority. It is registered for two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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 home was judged as good overall at the full inspection in October 2013. Since the full inspection, the manager has met the two requirements and one recommendation. The manager demonstrates a commitment to improve the home resulting in improvements in the quality of care for young people.

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Progress

The décor of the home has improved significantly; new furniture, soft furnishings and fresh paintwork promote a welcoming, homely and personalised environment. Staff consult young people in the choice of décor. There are photographs of young people and their families in the house giving young people a sense of family and belonging.

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Progress

The manager ensures that records of sanctions are complete and include the details of the behaviour leading to the use of the measure. This helps staff and young people understand reasons behind sanctions in a way that helps them think about the consequences of their actions.

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Progress

Ofsted receives notifications of events at the home within required timescales. There have been a high number of notifiable incidents. The reporting of these is good and includes regular updates including the actions taken by the home The home demonstrates good partnership working with external professionals to address specific patterns of behaviour. This has worked well and incidents have reduced. Clear timely reporting ensures that Ofsted are fully aware of any incidents at the home providing an extra safeguard to young people.

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Progress

The utilisation of kitchen space and domestic facilities has helped young people practise adult life skills. Staff have worked hard to help young people gain a realistic overview of living away from the home as adults. Young people cook, shop, budget and manage personal laundry. Staff have given tailored support both in the local community and at the home to enable young people to become confident in their ability to care for themselves independently.

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Progress

Young people easily make their views known to staff and these influence the rules and routines of the house. Young people communicate openly; sharing their opinions and raising any concerns. Staff are approachable and flexible, while providing consistent boundaries. Staff value young people's opinions and make an effort to facilitate choice while ensuring their well-being and safety.

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Progress

Behaviour management is good and based on rapport and trust. The staff are absolutely minimal in the use of physical restraint; there have been no incidents for over a year. There are some incidences of unauthorised absence; although these are for short periods they include concerning incidents which have recently lessened. Staff work effectively with a range of outside professionals to minimise these behaviours and help young people learn about personal boundaries and healthy relationships. Staff report all incidents comprehensively and reflect on these with young people. Multi agency meetings ensure that all professionals involved share their views. Staff routinely offer support and guidance in regard to young people’s personal safety. This has been positive and recently young people's risk-taking behaviour has reduced. Young people benefit from increased contact with peers in the local community. Staff provide support and transport to help young people make

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Progress

safe and appropriate social connections. This helps young people understand how to socialise safely.

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Progress

The manager and external monitoring visitor carry out monitoring of the home at required intervals. This provides an extra safeguard to young people and raises points for improvement. Ofsted has not received the review of care for nine months. This does not meet requirements and prevents Ofsted from seeing how the home improves the quality of care for young people and monitors incidents at 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) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care in the children's home. Supply to HMCI a report in respect of any review conducted. Regulation 34 (1) (b) (2) 30/04/2014

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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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