Children's Home run by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in Barnsley

Unique reference number SC422464 Inspection date 27/03/2014 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, run by a local authority, provides accommodation for up to 10 children with complex care needs arising from profound and multiple learning disabilities, autism and other associated health needs. The home provides a short-breaks service.

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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 December 2013. Young people continue to make good progress during their short breaks at the home and experience safe, nurturing, care in a homely environment. The home has addressed three recommendations made following the previous inspection. The capacity to improve is therefore demonstrated.

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Progress

Where a physical intervention has taken place children are given the opportunity to be examined by a medical practitioner where required and this is recorded. This ensures children are kept safe and medical advice and assistance is suitably accessed. The Children's Guide includes information on how a child can contact their independent reviewing officer and access an independent advocate. This provides young people and their families with the relevant information to gain appropriate support. The manager regularly monitors the service in line with the regulations; this includes making sure that all records are signed by the person making the entry.

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Progress

Young people participate in a variety of activities, in the home and the community. These include games, playing with toys; visiting local festivals and parks. A young person said, 'I like visiting, I can meet up with my friends, and we like to play on the Xbox.' Young people make choices about how to spend their time after tea, some playing air hockey, others playing electronic games and others with dolls. This gives young people's opportunities to develop social skills through play.

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Progress

Young people benefit greatly from living in a home that is maintained overall to a good standard. The home is well decorated, comfortably furnished, clean and tidy. The home is kept safe through health and safety checks. This ensures that young people experience and receive short breaks in a positive safe and comfortable environment. However, 2 carpets are showing signs of wear and tear, with a number of stains.

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Progress

Young people are safe. Staff receive regular training relating to safeguarding young people and know what to do if they feel a child is at risk. Good quality behaviour management strategies are implemented and these are applied effectively; reviewed regularly and applied in conjunction with individual risk assessments. Care is taken to reduce triggers that may lead to a young person feeling anxious or distressed and this promotes a sense of well-being and belonging. Staff are experienced in managing challenging behaviour; they receive formal supervision and detailed handovers between shifts help the staff team to meet each young person's behaviour management needs. They work together with parents, education teams and health care professionals, which means that young people are treated consistently in a holistic way.

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. In particular, that all carpets are in good repair and stain free. (NMS 10.3)

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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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