Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC066277 Inspector Bridget Goddard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Hampshire County Council Registered person address Hampshire County Council The Castle WINCHESTER Hampshire SO23 8ZB Responsible individual Lin Ferguson Registered manager Pamela Ann Gardner Date of last inspection 14/01/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 21/10/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people make positive progress in this home, particularly in developing social skills. Parents value the opportunities young people have to mix with others, and forge relationships with staff. Some young people are now better able to self- regulate their behaviour, and this means they can access more community activities. This helps them to develop skills in preparation for more independent living.

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This inspection

Staff have warm and relaxed relationships with young people. They have a good understanding of each young person, and are able to communicate effectively with them. Some young people can communicate using Makaton, and staff regularly practice signing to keep up their skills. Staff are keen that young people get the most from their stays, and plan appropriate activities for them. They are sensitive to young people's cultural needs, and take these into account when, for example, they serve food. This all helps young people enjoy short breaks which generally, effectively meet their individual needs. However, some young people who prefer a bath to a shower require routine but specialist equipment to enjoy this. The home has made appropriate efforts to obtain this equipment but it is not yet forthcoming.

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This inspection

The home is well-managed by an effective and efficient management team. There have been significant staffing difficulties over the last few months, and the management team have minimised their negative impact by creative solutions. For example, on occasion overnight stays have had to be cancelled, but staff have transported children to and from tea visits which include food, and evening personal care. This means that both young people and their parents benefit from a visit, but young people's safety is not compromised by an insufficiently staffed overnight stay.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has maintained sound oversight of the quality of care in the home. Detailed Regulation 34 monitoring reports are completed monthly, and the manager demonstrably leads her staff team in ensuring that there is a central focus 3 of 5 on meeting young people's needs as well as possible. Notifications and restraints are rare in this service, but the manager is clear about the recording requirements for both.

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This inspection

Two recommendations were made at the last inspection and the home has met both of these. The first recommendation related to ensuring that young people's care reflected their individual culture and identity. This has been well-met both by recording of family preferences, and in the direct practice of staff with young people. The second recommendation related to ensuring that significant events were notified appropriately. There have been none since the last inspection, but the manager is clear about expectations in this area.

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This inspection

One recommendation is made as a result of this inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The setting is owned and operated jointly by a local authority children's services department and a National Health Service Foundation Trust. This service offers short breaks for up to nine children and young people who have learning disabilities that may include sensory and physical disabilities, complex health needs or challenging behaviour.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2014 Interim good progress 26/06/2013 Full good 10/12/2012 Interim good progress 02/05/2012 Full good

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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 has equipment needed to provide appropriate care for children. This particularly relates to equipment required so that children can safely enjoy a bath. (NMS 6.16) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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