Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Unique reference number SC037282 Inspection date 24/03/2014 Inspector Sophie Wood Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is operated by a local authority and provides short break care for children and young people aged between 5 and 17 years, who have learning difficulties, physical disabilities and other associated complex 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the previous full inspection in November 2013, the home was judged good for overall effectiveness. Two requirements were made. One concerned the full completion of physical restraint records and the other was to ensure the comprehensive completion of care plans; with particular focus upon recognising the individual needs of each child and young person.

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Progress

Two incidents, necessitating the use of a physical intervention have occurred since the last inspection. Both of these have been accurately recorded. This practice provides improved protection for the young people, as well as the staff involved. The home is currently commissioning a new volume for such use. The aim is to ensure it is even clearer for staff to complete and monitor.

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Progress

Significant time and energy has driven strong improvements to the quality of care plans for the children and young people. These documents are continuing to evolve. They are becoming more detailed in terms of individual information, describing how such specific needs are to be met. Young people are treated as an individual and not as a group. This fresher approach sees young people being supported to achieve relevant and meaningful targets which enhance their own personal development.

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Progress

The recommendation to improve upon the quality assurance monitoring of the home has been partly met. Regulation 34 monitoring is diligently completed; currently by the team leader who is covering for the Registered Manager's temporary absence. The home understands where and how it needs to improve. One area is concerned with physical accessibility. In response, a new lift has just been installed. New arrangements for Regulation 33 activity are set to commence from next month. The provider recognises that a Regulation 33 visitor is required to be independent from April onwards. The new visitor is aware of the previous shortfalls identified within previous reports and has plans to address these. The quality of Regulation 33 activity will continue to be monitored through Ofsted's receipt of these monthly returns.

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Progress

The home has responded to the recommendation to revise and update its Statement of Purpose. Placing social workers and prospective parents and carers stand to gain an informed understanding of the provision because of this detail. This document is being further revised, in order to fully meet the requirements of new regulations, ready for April. The actual content is consistent with the new changes; however, the proposed new formatting will make it easier to navigate.

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Progress

The recommendation to review fire safety evacuation guidance has been fully implemented. All separate pieces of guidance are fully consistent. Staff know exactly what to do in the event of a practise or real emergency. This can change, depending on the group of young people using the service at any one time. In this regard, the evacuation plan is double checked at each evening handover. Everyone's safety is assured.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, appropriate interim management arrangements have been implemented. The staff team is cohesive and can readily obtain senior management support. Effective planning and forward thinking has ensured the home is ready and prepared to meet the changes ahead in terms of the revised and updated Children's Homes Regulations.

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Progress

This visit finds a great deal of enthusiasm from the staff team with particular regards to care planning changes. As a team, they have embraced this opportunity to improve upon the quality of these key documents. Children and young people are already benefiting from this highly individual approach to meeting their unique needs.

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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 there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. This recommendation is to ensure that new Regulation 33 arrangements are effective (NMS 21)

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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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