Children's Home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC365366 Inspection date 28/02/2014 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/09/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides accommodation for up to three young people who have autism and is run by a private provider. One young person attends for school holidays only.

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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

The last inspection was in September 2013 and found that the overall standard of care was adequate. Seven requirements and seven recommendations were made, which have all been addressed. There had been a substantial period of unsettled management at the home, which continued after the inspection. An internal appointment was made in late 2013 and that person was registered with Ofsted. She then resigned after a short period and another internal appointment was made; this registration with Ofsted is now underway. While these changes are acknowledged to be undesirable, they have had no negative impact on young people because the young people and staff know those concerned. The latest arrangement actually strengthens the service because it allows the manager to focus on one home rather than two, as in the previous arrangement; good progress is now being made.

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Progress

The new manager is providing staff with clear and effective leadership. There is a rigorous focus on each young person's needs and their individual progress is routinely facilitated. This means, for example, that planning meetings about the operation of the home hinge on how young people will be involved. Options that do not maximise the benefits to young people are not used. This approach leads to young people making good progress. New admissions are undertaken effectively and there is good communication with families, social workers and other professionals. Young people's social skills improve, they are more healthy and they are able to make increasingly significant decisions. Clear improvements are being made in their use of public transport and facilities, such as shops. This increases young people's confidence and involvement in the community. Monitoring is thorough and the development plan targets are being addressed.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from a high level of protection. No safeguarding issues have arisen since the last inspection and staff rarely need to resort to physical interventions. Contact has been made with the local police to ensure that lines of communication are open in case a young person goes missing, but no such incidents have occurred. No complaints have been received. Since the last inspection the safety of young people has been improved by closer attention to fire drills and the temperature of radiators. On the other hand, waking night staff have not received the additional fire safety training. This is needed to address the greater complexities involved if a night-time emergency occurs. However, the rights of young people are now respected by external doors being locked at night and only if absolutely necessary in other circumstances. The property itself is being maintained appropriately and shortfalls are addressed in a timely way. Investment is being put

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Progress

into safer medication and staff training systems too. This means that young people receive an appropriate standard of care from all members of staff, including those who are newly recruited.

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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 that staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting. This is with regard to providing fire safety training promptly to waking night staff. (NMS 18.1)

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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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