Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

Unique reference number SC034900 Inspection date 05/03/2014 Inspector Natalie Burton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 10/07/2013 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 service provides residential short-breaks care for up to 11 young people with learning and physical disabilities. It also offers a service to some young adults aged up to 19 years. The home is run by a local authority.

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 satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

This home was judged as good at the last inspection in July 2013. Since that time, the manager has addressed the one requirements and one recommendation that were raised. This home has continued to make adequate progress, which has led to positive outcomes for children and young people.

p.3

Progress

The Registered Manager carries out a regular review of the conduct of the home. The monitoring identifies shortfalls within the home, actions to address these shortfalls and areas of good practice. The provider has kept Ofsted informed with timely copies of the internal monitoring reports. In addition, the monitoring provides children and young people with an opportunity to feedback about the quality of the service that they receive or to raise any concerns they may have.

p.3

Progress

All staff have received training in fire awareness. This ensures children and young people are looked after by staff who are well trained and knowledgeable in the event of a fire. During the inspection it was noted that there had been a child protection concern. While the manager had taken some action, such as a fact finding investigation, the home’s required procedure was not fully implemented. For example, the referral to the local authority designated officer. While there was minimal impact to children and young people, this does not ensure that robust action is taken in line with the homes procedure to consistently safeguard them. In addition, on occasion, staff have implemented physical intervention, not in line with the relevant guidance or criteria. The manager has taken action to address this through informing staff of the guidance by e mail, and discussion with senior managers. While there was minimal

p.3

Progress

impact on children and young people, this does not ensure that physical intervention is only used in line with legislation. A requirement is therefore made.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection, young people have been part of a recruitment process within the organisation. This provides managers with a young person’s view of potential staff. The children and young people’s living environment is warm, comfortable and homely. Children and young people have been involved in personalising the home with a choice of pictures and photographs displayed in the communal areas. The rapport between staff, managers and children and young people observed during the inspection was warm, lively and supportive. A family support worker supported this view, who spoke very positively about the service. Staff are committed, motivated and knowledgeable about the children and young people. Children and young people have accessed activities which meet their personal interests such as attending a youth club, going to ice hockey matches, listening to music and being involved in work experience in a café within the local

p.4

Progress

community. In addition, some have been on holidays with the home, such as activity holidays and on a narrow boat.

p.4

Progress

Children and young people have made good progress in areas such as understanding their diet and health, improving bed time routines and their social skills. The dietary needs of young people are robustly identified and catered for. In addition, the service is expanding children’s and young people’s horizons through the implementation of a weekly cultural meal for them to try. The manager and staff are committed to continually improve the quality of care provided to the children and young people.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17A (2001) ensure a measure of restraint may only be used on a child accommodated in a children's home for the purpose of preventing injury to any person, preventing serious damage to 28/04/2014 property of any person and then where no alternative method of preventing the event specified in sub paragraphs (a) to ©. (Regulation 17A (1) (a-c))

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure allegations against people that work with children are reported by the designated person to the Lado. This includes allegations that on the face of it may appear relatively insignificant or that have also been reported directly to the police or children and family services. (NMS 20.6)

p.5

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.6

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.6