Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC031410 Inspection date 12/03/2014 Inspector Janet Hunnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is operated by the local authority. The service is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven young people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. It provides care for up to two young people under short break arrangements and a further five young people may live at the home.

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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 previous full inspection in August 2013 the home was judged as outstanding. One requirement and one recommendation were made. The requirement related to ensuring that the internal monitoring reports cover all matters set out in the regulations. The home has changed the format of these reports to include all the required information. The reports are now detailed and evaluative and as part of the home’s quality assurance system positively contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of care provided for young people.

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Progress

The recommendation related to recording the length of staff supervision sessions. Records of these supervision sessions now include details of the duration of the individual meetings.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has changed its admission policy and now accommodates five young people full-time, with two short-break places. Young people and staff are adapting well to this reorganisation. Staff have quickly identified the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the new young people providing high quality care to enable them to settle into routines and structures. External professionals have commented how well one of the new young person is settling in. Training in autism and behaviour management has been provided for staff enabling them to support the young people effectively and meet their individual needs.

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Progress

The home is continuing to provide excellent standards of care for young people who are making very good progress. Staff pay meticulous attention to young people’s health needs including their psychological health. The home seeks the advice and guidance of external health specialists to ensure the young people receive care to meet their needs.

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Progress

Promoting young people’s independence skills is a strength of the home. In addition to on-going support to develop young people’s independence skills, the home has weekly independence evenings. These specifically focus on providing opportunities for young people to learn how to plan and cook meals and how to perform everyday tasks such as cleaning. Young people enjoy these evenings and are developing their daily living skills at a pace and a level appropriate to their abilities.

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Progress

The home provides a wide range of activities for young people to extend their experiences and develop their social skills. Staff take account of young people’s personal preferences in planning activities. They encourage young people to participate in activities in the community where they have opportunities to make friends and learn social skills.

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Progress

The home is keen to obtain the views of young people, staff families and other stakeholders. It has strengthened the provision of advocacy for young people. An advocate attends the home twice a week enabling the young people to get to know them; this also facilitates the advocate to in gathering the young people’s views about living at the home. Staff have been involved in identifying the home’s strengths and weaknesses and the Registered Manager uses this information to inform the development plan ensuring the home is continually improving its provision for young people.

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Progress

The home is very well maintained and staff ensure it is a homely and pleasant environment for young people. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised giving them a sense of identity and belonging at the home.

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Progress

The home continues to develop and improve on excellent standards of care.

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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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