Children's Home run by Island Choices Ltd in Isle of Wight

Unique reference number SC399866 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Lisa Jane Stanbridge Date of last inspection 21/05/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 14/01/2015

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Previous inspection good 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

The home was last inspected in May 2014, where it was judged as good in all areas. Staff continue to support young people to have positive outcomes while living in the home. Staff’s relationships with young people are warm and caring, resulting in young people making good progress during their placements. Young people are consistently positive about the home and staff, commenting, ‘I love the house and love the staff’ and ‘I really like it, everything’s good’.

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This inspection

Three young people have moved on since the last inspection. Two have moved to provisions that better meet their needs and one to a foster care placement. Where young people have moved on to more appropriate placements, the management team evaluate their placement process to potentially improve it for the future. Planning prior to young people moving into the home is robust. The staff and management team determine how they will meet individual’s needs safely, while considering the needs of others in the group. Records are clear and individual three monthly summaries highlight young people’s progress, areas to further develop and future goals. When moving on, individuals benefit from clear, well planned transitions to ensure they are ready for their move to independence. Two young people approaching independence both commented that they felt ready for their next step and that staff have helped them gain skills for adulthood.

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This inspection

Young people are all engaged in education or training, including formal education; work experience placements; outward bounds activities and volunteering in charity shops. As a result young people who have been absent from education for many years are gaining skills and qualifications to aid them in adulthood. Incidents of young people going missing have dramatically reduced and for some young people, ceased. Return interviews are facilitated by an external agency provided by the placing authority. However, this has not been a reliable service. Young people engage effectively with youth offending teams and drug and alcohol services when 3 of 6 needed. Those who display self-injurious behaviour work closely with their emotional wellbeing practitioner to reduce this behaviour.

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This inspection

Staff create a warm environment where young people say they feel safe to be themselves. Many staff do not have behaviour management training due to delays in accessing external trainers. The Registered Manager is seeking training as a matter of urgency. However, there is consistency in approach to behaviour management and there have been no incidents of restraint. Sanctions are fair and proportionate. A young person commented ‘you get treated as you behave’; recognising negative behaviour brought about consequences.

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This inspection

The suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager effectively leads the nurturing staff teams across both homes. Staff are confident in their roles and are enthusiastic about securing positive outcomes for young people. They are aware of the current plans and goals young people are working towards. Partnership working is entrenched in daily practice. Communication between family and key professionals is consistent and records are reflective of discussions and agreements. External monitoring in relation to Regulation 33 is undertaken by two managers from the placing authority. It is unclear whether this is sufficiently independent as all young people are placed by that authority. Areas highlighted for improvement are acted upon promptly. However it had not been noted that fire doors within the home are regularly propped open. The homes development plan reflects external and internal monitoring and plans are clear and time limited reflecting improvements for both the

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This inspection

fabric of the building and care experience for young people. Complaints from neighbours are responded to swiftly and to the complainant’s satisfaction. The recommendations made in the previous inspection have been met. Notifications are timely in their arrival to those listed in Schedule 5. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered for up to eight young people with no specific condition. The main premises accommodates four young people as does the satellite home which is a short distance away.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2014 Full good 04/11/2013 Interim good progress 08/04/2013 Full good 20/11/2012 Interim good progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person after consultation with the fire and rescue authority: take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment. This with specific regard to propping fire doors open (Regulation 32(1)(a)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) review in relation to paragraph (2), the person conducting visits is an independent person. (Regulation 33(1)(2)) 27/02/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6  ensure staff are trained in the use of physical restraint techniques and that training is regularly refreshed. (NMS 3.15) 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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