Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC380956 Inspection date 17/03/2014 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home provides a service for families with young people on the verge of coming into the care system and struggling to maintain their education. The short break is agreed with the young person and their families or carers. Stays at the home are short breaks of one or two nights' duration usually within a two-weekly period.

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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 at the previous full inspection in October 2013. There were no requirements or recommendations made. This inspection identifies one requirement relating to monitoring processes and one recommendation to improve the administration of medication.

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Progress

The quality of care in this home remains extremely high. Young people thrive within the warm, caring and interesting environment provided by the enthusiastic staff team. Consequently, young people's sense of self and emotional resilience are enhanced as they are supported to develop an understanding of their background. A young person said, 'I feel I’ve got lots more confidence now’.

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Progress

Communication with parents is a major strength. This enables young people to receive consistent care and messages about their behaviours, while learning more appropriate coping skills. As a result, young people are fully supported to remain in their family homes thus preventing the need for them to come in to the care system. A parent said: 'they have helped him manage his anger which he’s never been able to do before. I’m very pleased with the progress he’s made and the support they’ve given me and my husband'.

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Progress

Young people are provided with a range of stimulating opportunities and activities which promote their development and cultivate positive new interests. These include inclusive pastimes in the community as well as active involvement in new recycling programmes within the home. For example, re-developing the garden to allow for the addition of a water butt and compost bin. Young people are actively involved in the planning for these changes which promotes confidence, self-esteem and feelings of self worth. A social worker stated: 'he’s now made significant progress in his social skills and reducing anxiety. This has also made an improvement in family relationships'.

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Progress

Young people's health needs are well met in line with their care plans. However, medication records are not always comprehensive enough and the current procedure is not clear. There have not been any medication errors at this time but this process does not fully safeguard all young people.

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Progress

Much improved external monitoring systems contribute to young people's safety and the development of the home. The manager maintains quality assurance systems which capture the matters required by Regulations. However, neither young people’s views on their care, nor those of other interested parties, even though these are canvassed, are utilised as part of the manager's monitoring processes. It is therefore not clear how young people, their parents or professionals influence the development of the home.

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Progress

Exceptional monthly progress reports are completed by the skilled and nurturing staff team together with young people. These effectively demonstrate the substantial progress young people make in building self-esteem and confidence in their abilities. A young person wrote: 'I always have support no matter what. I trust more people'' and a social worker stated: 'she’s felt really included by going to respite. She really looks forward to going because she feels listened to and she knows she can talk to staff about anything'.

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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) ensure that a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 is established and maintained and provides for 23/05/2014 consultation with children, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34 (1) (a) (3))

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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 all staff are familiar with the home’s policy on the administration and dispensation of medication and appropriate record keeping around medication. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, Chapter 3.28)

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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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