Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC036726 Inspection date 24/03/2014 Inspector Judith Longden Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 27/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides a residential service for six children and young people, and a short-break service for six children and young people. All the children and young people have severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.

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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 outstanding at the last full inspection in November 2013. Since that time the home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care and the outcomes for young people. The home has addressed and met the recommendation made at the previous inspection. A recommendation was made in respect of signatures on supervision records. The records of staff supervision indicate that both the supervisor and supervisee sign records of supervision. This indicates that the record accurately reflects the content of supervision.

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Progress

The management and leadership of this home are excellent. The Registered Manager continues to strive for improvement and implements a range of rigorous monitoring activities to examine the quality of the service provided and ensure young people are safe. Any concerns or issues are dealt with effectively. A number of documents have been revised and now provide evidence of the progress young people make and the outcomes they achieve.

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Progress

Young people are able to share their views and feelings through good use of key work and by completing their wishes and feelings scrap books. These contain pictures, symbols and photographs highlighting the likes and dislikes of the young person and evidence the wide range of activities they participate in. This means they are able to influence their care.

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Progress

Parents are increasingly consulted about the care of their children. Regular communication ensures parents and young people are prepared for their stay at the home. Reports, both verbal and written, are provided following visits to ensure parents are kept fully informed. Some parents have recently been involved in the recruitment of new staff to the home. As a result, parents are involved in the care of their children. Staff members benefit from a range of development opportunities and are supported in their role. Staff meetings have been restructured and now provide a forum for debate and consultation which increases the knowledge and understanding of staff. New staff members are supported by mentors who are trained to work alongside them to ensure they are competent and able to support young people.

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Progress

The home is currently part of a national project researching the qualification system for care workers. This means staff at the home are able to contribute to discussions concerning the support for all children in care. No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this 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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