Children's Home run by Sunflower Children Care Services in Leicestershire

Unique reference number SC449099 Inspection date 24/03/2014 Inspector Caroline Brailsford Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/09/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The service is a privately-operated children's home, registered for up to three young people aged from 9 to 17 years. Children and young people may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is also a registered school attached to this home.

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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 last full inspection in July 2013 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate.

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Progress

There were two requirements made at the last inspection. One was made in relation to notifications to Ofsted about significant events in the home. At the time of the last inspection, Ofsted had not received all notifications required by the Regulations. The manager has ensured that she has taken action to rectify this and Ofsted now receive all notifications in a timely way. This allows for Ofsted to appropriately regulate on all the required matters in the home.

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Progress

In addition, there was a requirement made at the last inspection pertaining to risk assessments, where there was important information missing in relation to young people's individual safety and welfare. It is clear that the manager has taken this seriously. A new risk assessment document has been devised which now contains a higher level of detail about risks and how these should be minimised. These are very regularly reviewed in accordance with the young people's changing and complex needs. This minimises the risks as far as is possible, which in turn ensures that young people are as safe as they can be.

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Progress

At the last inspection, there was a recommendation about the exterior of the property, where rendering was in a poor state of repair. This has now been rectified and the grounds and exterior of the property look neat, tidy and in keeping with the local area.

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Progress

The management of the home is robust and ensures that the young people receive high quality care. One young person commented that the manager is 'brilliant' and the staff also spoke highly of the support and leadership they receive. The manager completes regular checks on all the work taking place through an inspection of paperwork and discussion with staff and young people. The views of parents and social workers are regularly established through a quality assurance process, so that further improvements can be made. The organisation also continues to complete inspection visits to the home. This process incorporates the views of young people well and ensures that they have their say about their life in the home. All the work in the home is scrutinised by the independent visitor, which ensures that the regulations, Standards and company procedures are fully met.

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Progress

Young people are at the centre of the work taking place and regular meetings take place between staff and young people so that they can express their views and opinions about the running of the home. In these meetings the food, activities and the décor of the home are all chosen by young people. The manager ensures that the minutes are reviewed and responded to in writing for the next meeting, so that young people are aware of, and can comment on, the responses. This assists young people in developing their confidence and self-esteem because they are actively listened to and feel valued for their contributions. There is now a new booklet for young people to work through in developing their independence skills. The new missing from home policy relates well to young people and their own individual risks; this provides staff with clear information about what they should do should a young person become missing. In practice this works well to

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Progress

ensure that young people return back to the home safely and quickly.

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Progress

Young people are making some good progress since the last inspection in various aspects of their lives. For example, all young people are achieving well in their education in the home's own registered school because their attendance is better. One young person reports particular progress in their science and maths where they say they are achieving good results.

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Progress

Young people are very well supported in relation to their emotional wellbeing, which results in fewer incidents of more difficult and risk-taking behaviour. The staff teach young people about socially acceptable behaviour. Staff comment that that one of the strengths of the team is consistency and that this has a very positive impact on young people’s behaviour. One young person says, 'my best progress is my behaviour' and comments that they have less instances of physical intervention. This leads to improved safety and, as a result, young people say that they feel more settled and happy in their placement. Young people's contacts have all been extended with their families and their contact visits are currently working very well. Young people are pleased about this and say that staff have listened to them and have helped them to say what they think. This has assisted further progress in this area.

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Progress

The staff liaise well with other professionals, such as mental health services and placing authorities, who are fully informed and involved. These professionals have been able to put forward suggestions for further improvements. For example, mental health professionals attend staff meetings to look at what staff can do to support young people with self-harm issues and promote progress. However, formal training for staff in relation to self-harm has not taken place. This does not ensure that all staff members are familiar and up-to-date in their understanding of self-harm and how young people can be further supported to promote their progress.

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Progress

Staff understand young people's needs very well and the positive relationships with young people and high staffing ratios help young people to explore their feelings and develop in their emotional wellbeing. For example, there are regular key working sessions and more informal support, which are tailored around young people's specific needs, difficulties and safety issues. This supports young people well and teaches them about issues of safety, such as sexual health, and the impact of their behaviour on others and impacts positively on their overall progress.

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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 young people and purpose of the setting, and that training keeps them up-to- date with professional legal and practice developments. (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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