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

Unique reference number SC422464 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person address Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Town Hall Church Street BARNSLEY South Yorkshire S70 2TA Responsible individual Diane Erica Drury Registered manager Diane Wharton Date of last inspection 10/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 12/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The home has made a number of changes to improve the quality of care offered to children and young people.

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This inspection

There is much clearer tracking of children and young people's progress through their individual care plan goals. Staff can demonstrate and evidence the progress that children and young people are making. This is set out in individual new detailed placement plans. Staff give examples of how young people have learnt to undertake personal care and daily living tasks, build self-confidence, take part in group activities and have developed further social skills. This promotes dignity and independence to enhance young people's quality of life.

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This inspection

Changes to the frequency of senior staff meetings and a review of the agenda have occurred to further improve communication, guidance to staff and the continuity of care in the home.

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This inspection

The four requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection have been implemented. A revised statement of purpose has been sent to Ofsted informing the regulator of the service provided and the changes made. A new recording system has been introduced to record any measure of control, restraint or discipline. This information is held in an appropriate form and addresses all the areas required by the regulations. This enables the manager to monitor such events, to ensure that measures are appropriately used and safe for children and young people.

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This inspection

Suitable and experienced staffing levels are deployed in the home. Adjustments to the senior team and residential support team have been made to provide good care and meet the needs of all young people. A number of young people's case files have been reviewed and information updated. This work is progressing well as the short 3 of 5 break service supports sixty young people. The records provide staff with accurate information to enable them to provide consistent care, keep young people safe and support them in achieving identified goals.

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This inspection

The home provides a comfortable and homely environment which is well maintained and decorated. Stained carpets have been replaced or cleaned. As a result, young people enjoy a suitable and positive environment during their stay. Regular supervision is provided to staff to allow them access to support and advice. This gives staff the opportunity to discuss their work with the children, support their development and for care practices to be monitored.

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This inspection

One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to the Registered Manager's Regulation 34 monitoring report. This report does not fully evaluate the quality of care being provided and how changes will bring improvement.

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This inspection

Safeguarding young people remains high on the agenda of staff. They are clear about child protection and missing from care procedures; aware of individual risks to young people and have received all health and safety related training. There have been no young people going missing while undertaking a short stay visit. Staff are consistent in the support and encouragement of positive behaviour. They implement their training in behaviour management daily by diverting and defusing behaviour which may escalate. These practices are successful as there are minimal physical interventions used. Praise and encouragement is the predominant approach to support young people to behave in a socially acceptable way. A parent said 'my child is safe here; he can't wait to come for his visits. The staff keep me informed on all things and have been great in supporting me with additional visits while my son waits for an operation.'

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This inspection

Young people enjoy playing games before tea; chatting and laughing between themselves and the staff. During the inspection calm, positive and caring interaction took place between staff and young people. Young people were given direction when required. A young person said ' this is a fantastic place,' and ' I love coming here, the staff are great.' 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2014 Full adequate 27/03/2014 Interim good progress 18/12/2013 Full good 26/03/2013 Interim good 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 there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities in the home. In particular, that the Regulation 34 monitoring more clearly evaluates its findings and how changes made will bring improvement to the quality of care provided. (NMS 21.1) 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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