Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Unique reference number SC036240 Inspection date 31/03/2014 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/01/2014 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a local authority and provides medium to long-term care for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is a flat to enable young people to acquire independence skills.

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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 inspection in January 2014, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good. Two requirements were made at the last inspection. Since that time, the children’s home has demonstrated good progress, with all shortfalls appropriately addressed.

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Progress

The managers have addressed the requirement to submit an up to date copy of the Statement of Purpose and children’s guide to Ofsted. This means the regulator can ensure the guides are compliant with regulation and can be clear about the aims and objectives of the home.

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Progress

Improvements to physical intervention records have been made, and records are now in line with regulatory requirements. This means that managers can comment on the effectiveness and appropriateness of measures of discipline and can monitor any potential patterns and trends. Consequently, young people benefit from improved safeguarding arrangements.

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Progress

The home continues to work positively and communicate well with parents and families. Proactive work ensures that young people benefit from having their needs and welfare closely monitored and reviewed. One parent said, ‘They have made tremendous success with him and I have 100% confidence in the home. I have never had any complaints or concerns.’

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Progress

Health care provision is routinely addressed to ensure individual needs are met. Healthy lifestyles are promoted with nutritious diets and the promotion of active pursuits. Wherever young people engage in activities that compromise their health, such as smoking or drug use, specialist advice and support is provided in a timely manner. Consequently young people benefit from the right help to adapt to healthier lifestyles.

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Progress

Taking into account their starting points at the time of placement, young people are making good progress towards their desired educational attendance and achievement targets. One educational professional described the progress of one young person since living in the home as, ‘Very positive and sustained progress.' Another education professional said, ‘Staff are always professional and help the school to do their job.’

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Progress

A skilled and knowledgeable staff team ensure young people’s identity needs are met. Information gathered provides a broad view of their needs relating to their culture, religion, sexual orientation and personal identity. The staff team are diverse in ethnicity and culture, with a broad age range and balanced gender mix. Therefore young people benefit from positive role models who can ensure young people access services and resources relating to their individual needs.

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Progress

The home is comfortable and endeavours to ensure a homely and non- institutionalised environment. However, minor issues such as discarded cigarette ends outside the home detract from the overall standards of maintenance.

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Progress

Leadership and management arrangements are robust. The home has a development plan that reflects practical proposals for continued improvement. Internal and external monitoring processes provide continuous quality assurance, which maintains standards of care while promoting the development of the service.

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Progress

The home has made good progress since the last inspection. One recommendation is made as a result of this inspection. The management team are clear about what is necessary to ensure that young people benefit from improved standards in care.

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. With specific reference to ensuring the exterior of the home is cleared of litter. (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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