SC 040491

Unique reference number SC040132 Inspection date 18/03/2014 Inspector Guy Mammatt Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is run by a local authority and provides short breaks for children with autism. At any one time it provides regular, short-break care facilities for a maximum of four children. Children stay for varying lengths of time and frequency, depending on their assessed 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

The home is undergoing major renovation and has been unoccupied since 10 February 2014. The registered provider has stated that the home will be open again to accommodate children on 1 April 2014. The service continues to provide outreach support to some children and families during this time. No children were present during this inspection; however, parents were consulted on their behalf.

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Progress

At the homes last inspection in April 2013 it was judged as good overall with three requirements made. The home has met all three requirements and sustained the quality of care and outcomes provided for children that use the service.

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Progress

In response to the requirements made at the last inspection the home has up-dated the behaviour management policy used by the whole service. It no longer states that physical restraint may be used to maintain good order; therefore, staff will not use it inappropriately. The Registered Manager now keeps full and satisfactory details relating the recruitment of staff at the home. Consequently the Registered Manager can be sure that all staff and volunteers are cleared to work with vulnerable children. Finally, the Responsible Individual and the Registered Manager between them have ensured that all monitoring visits by an independent visitor are supplied to the HMCI in a timely manner. This ensures that Ofsted are able to regulate the service and make an informed decision about when to contact the home.

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Progress

The renovation work being carried out at the home will allow it to accommodate wheelchair users, as well as modernising the decoration and facilities. It is a strong investment by the provider which demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the short break service at the home.

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Progress

Parents state that their children ‘adore’ attending the home and cannot wait for their planned nights away from their family home. Parents feel very confident that their children are safe at the home and state that it is ‘like an extension of our family’.

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Progress

Children have strong relationships with the staff team, many of whom they have known for significant periods of their life. Children develop their self-confidence as a result of attending the home and learn new communication skills. Children also very much enjoy the leisure activities and socialisation that comes with attending the home.

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Progress

Staff at the home successfully help children through difficult periods of their life; for example, puberty and transitions into adulthood. The home makes excellent use of social stories to help children understand the world around them and how to deal with situations they may find difficult.

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Progress

The Registered Manager takes a well-informed stance on discipline at the home. Children are not punished for displaying negative behaviour as it is recognised that this is their way of communicating any frustrations and anxieties. The Registered Manager ensures that staff give children space to calm down. All incidents are sensitively followed up with reflective time spent with the children to give them explanations of what is acceptable behaviour.

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Progress

The Registered Manager responds constructively to complaints received by the home. As a result there are more thorough procedures in place for the use of agency staff. They now have a greater understanding of what is expected of them on shift and what they can expect from the home.

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Progress

Overall the home continues to provide a quality short break service with very good outcomes for children. While the home’s premises are not in use, however, due to the major changes to the physical environment that are taking place, it is difficult to fully establish the extent to which the quality and care provided has improved since the last inspection.

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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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