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

Unique reference number SC033127 Inspection date 26/03/2014 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 29/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This home is part of a local authority children's disability service offering care for children and young people aged between 5 and 17 years with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

p.3

Brief description of the service

The property is purpose built and all on one level. It provides accommodation in two units for eight children or young people receiving short break services. Longer-term care can be offered to four children or young people within an attached bungalow, which is self-contained.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

This home was judged as outstanding at the previous full inspection in October 2013. Following this interim inspection the home is judged to be making good progress and has successfully addressed the one recommendation previously identified. No breaches of regulations or shortfalls in meeting the national minimum standards are identified as a result of this inspection.

p.3

Progress

The experienced and dedicated manager now maintains her own recruitment records for all staff employed within the home, following the recommendation previously made, in addition to those held by the local authority. Staff report positively about the support they receive and staffing levels are high, thereby ensuring children and young people's complex and diverse needs are met safely. Children and young people are safeguarded by these measures. A staff member stated: 'supervision and support is really good. We have supervision every month and we talk about positives as well as any issues. The staffing numbers make sure everyone is safe'.

p.3

Progress

Preparation for children and young people attending for respite care is a major strength in this home. The skilled and motivated staff team plan individual and shared enriching activities and each bed room is prepared carefully with children and young people's favoured and cherished items. Children and young people's sense of belonging and security in their surroundings is enhanced as a result and they thrive within this nurturing and stimulating environment. A social worker commented: 'he loves it so much that he runs towards the gate and can’t wait to go in when it is his time. This is really reassuring for mum because this is new for her and she was anxious but he is clearly so happy there'.

p.4

Progress

Parents and professionals report positively about the progress children and young people make as a result of the structured and nurturing care they receive. Exceptional care planning coupled with the staff's thorough understanding of the children and young people's needs allows the children to spend positive, enjoyable time alone. In addition, the children and young people take pride in their shared involvement in inclusive, motivating activities. For example, they take part in growing vegetables during their stay. A parent said: 'he’s made a lot of progress in being confident about things, he’s come out of his shell a lot. He absolutely loves coming'.

p.4

Progress

Children and young people receiving long-term care benefit from recent improvements to the home that provide them with the choice of using a shower room or bathroom. These improvements assist children and young people with developing self-care skills and in building confidence. A staff member said: 'his personal hygiene has really come on. This was a boy who would barely go in the bath but we’ve tried to make it as fun as we can and pass that fear so he wasn’t scared of the water and shampoo. We play and he has all the little bath toys and we will wash the duck's hair and the fish hair and then it would be his turn. He used to be so angry but now he says “again, again”'.

p.4

Progress

The proactive, inspiring management and staff team continuously strive to improve care and outcomes for children and young people. Every effort is made to capture children and young people's views. For example, further improvements have been made in ensuring that every opportunity is provided for children and young people to make a complaint or representation about their care if they wish. Nevertheless, there have not been any complaints. A parent stated: ' (the resource) is amazing. I would recommended anyone in my position to get their children there. They’ve really helped (name) and me'.

p.4

Progress

Children and young people's sense of self-worth, confidence in their abilities and pride in their achievements improve as they recognise the progress they make during their long-term or respite placements. Memory books, memory boxes and photographs of activities provide children, young people and their families with permanent reminders of their time within the home and their individual growth. A staff member said: 'the memory boxes are so we can cherish that memory for them so they learn to cherish them too and they can take them with them, so that this time here is not a void'.

p.4

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.

p.6

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.

p.6