Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC372661 Inspector David Morgan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Bryn Melyn Care Limited Registered person address 2 High Street Dawley Telford Shropshire TF4 2ET

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Responsible individual Melissa Johnson Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 06/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 27/02/2015

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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 service has improved in effectiveness since the last inspection in October 2014. A new manager was employed in September but was unable to start work fully until January 2015. His registration with Ofsted is now underway. The main improvements have been in the appointment of an experienced manager and the consolidation of the staff team. Staff turnover in the period has been minimal and there have been no changes in children. This creates the firm base necessary for effective childcare and addresses some of the important concerns raised during previous inspections.

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This inspection

The last inspection made four requirements and eight recommendations. The requirements have been addressed. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and the existing model of care is continuing. However, the effectiveness of the model has been improved as indicated above. Also, the clinical team has been reviewed reflect the Statement of Purpose. An up-to-date version of the Statement of Purpose has not been sent to Ofsted as required. A substantial improvement has occurred to the management of young people's dietary intakes. This is an important contribution to their health and behaviour. Regulations protecting children have also been addressed by reviewing the missing from care procedures with relevant external agencies. Safeguarding of children is good in all areas. Monitoring of the service by the manager is not yet sufficiently evaluative although some progress has been made. The manager is clear about the service's shortfalls and has implemented

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This inspection

an evidence-based programme to address them.

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This inspection

The large majority of the recommendations have also been addressed. Consequently, there is improved attention to the use of physical interventions so that almost none have occurred since the last inspection. This is an important contribution to children's self-respect and conforms to the therapeutic aims of the service. The attention to children's educational needs now benefits from prompt and 3 of 6 meaningful back-up plans. This serves to maintain children's expectations and learning more effectively than before. Imaginative exercises have been completed with children about drug misuse and e-safety. As a result, children's attendance and attainments at school are good. Further work is underway to ensure that liaison between home and school is as productive as possible. Continuity of staffing is now at a particularly high level. Staff annual appraisals are booked and a plan is in place to incorporate the views of children. Overall, children feel positive about the team.

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This inspection

Adequate deputising arrangements have been in place during the manager's absence. These have been reviewed subsequently to ensure that future episodes are covered more effectively between the two homes that the manager oversees. This includes important improvements to the preparation of staff for senior positions.

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This inspection

The effectiveness of improvements is clear in the outcomes for children. Effective leadership and consistent staffing mean that children establish valued relationships from which they develop new skills. Routines and consistency provide children with a clear structure. Meetings between key workers and children have improved markedly. They address important issues and show the substantially higher levels of engagement that children are achieving. This is reflected in the significant reductions in negative incidents of any kind. Children benefit from a greater range of activities that are stimulating and educational. Particularly strong work is underway in engaging children in the process of learning and improvement. This is demonstrated in their gradual steps they take towards exciting targets, such as going on a motorcycle ride. At the same time, constructive work is ongoing with children's families. This helps to ensure that the adults around each child act consistently and

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This inspection

assures each child of the value of their networks.

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This inspection

Children benefit from a small but attractive cottage. Improvements have been made recently to ensure it meets the therapeutic needs of children as well as possible. Children personalise their bedrooms and gain respect for their environment. A location assessment has not yet been completed as required. Fire equipment checks and drills occur at the required intervals. Fire evacuations occur regularly but do not clearly reflect the written procedures, which increases potential risk . Overall the service has made clear progress and there is a drive by the manager for further improvements. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private care organisation, which also provides therapy and education to the young people. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one child or young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is located in a rural area.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/10/2014 Full adequate 18/03/2014 Interim good progress 18/04/2013 Full good 30/08/2012 Interim satisfactory 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

5 (2001) notify HMCI of any revision of the Statement of Purpose within 28 days (Regulation 5(b)) 13/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises at least once in each calendar year. (Regulation 31(1A)) 13/04/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 apply the emergency escape plan so that all staff and children are familiar with it and have practiced so they know what to do in an emergency. This 5 of 6 is with regard to ensuring all staff complete regular fire drills that are unannounced and use different ‘emergency’ scenarios; also, that records show how the procedures have been followed in terms of the steps staff undertook (NMS 10.9)  implement effective procedures for monitoring the activities of the home. This is with regard to such procedures identifying patterns and trends and evaluating them as part of the process of improvement. (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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