Children's Home run by Cornwall Council in Cornwall

Unique reference number SC040491 Inspector Paula Lahey Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Cornwall Council Registered person address County Hall TRURO Cornwall TR1 3AY

p.1

Responsible individual Katherine Margaret Brown Registered manager Deborah Kate Moses Date of last inspection 22/05/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 05/03/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

Since the previous inspection in May 2014 the effectiveness of this home has improved. This is due to attention taken by the management and staff team to develop the service provided to children and young people.

p.2

This inspection

The requirement and three recommendations raised previously have been fully met. Despite an initial slow start, the home is now regularly inspected by a suitably experienced independent visitor. The impact of the independent visitor’s monitoring is positive. Good attention is given by the visitor to consulting with children and young people, their families and external stakeholders. As such, she is developing a sound understanding of the views of these people about their experiences with the home. The independent visitor’s written reports demonstrate the feedback gained so far is very positive. One professional who was consulted said, 'this home encourages the child to do lots of things for herself that the parent is unable to do, such as shower and wash and dry her own hair'. Parents feedback includes: 'I would give this home 10 stars, my child seems to love it there, he is always happy to go' and,

p.2

This inspection

'this home is brilliant my child loves it, she has lots of routines and the staff are great, they manage her really well'.

p.2

This inspection

During the inspection, children and young people were very positive about their visit to the home. There were lots of smiles, 'thumbs up' and comments about how much they liked visiting the home. It was evident that staff and the young people get on well together and relationships were positive. Staff use alternative communication aids to good effect, resulting in children and young people confidently expressing their views and choices. Staff try hard to communicate with children and young people to find out what they like and how their visits can be improved. As a result of one young person's feedback activities for her next visit were amended. As such, she enjoyed a positive visit with a support dog. 3 of 7 Children and young people benefit from the stability now provided by the staff team. Since the previous inspection a new group of permanent staff have been appointed. This has resulted in a notable reduction in the use of agency staff. The new staff

p.2

This inspection

team have been provided with a good induction, training and support. As such, they are confident in their new role and are properly supported to care for the young people.

p.3

This inspection

The Registered Manager and/or deputy now make certain that references for new staff are verified. In addition, safer recruitment checks are now always sought for agency staff. This means the team have a better understanding of the vetting of staff who they employ to care for children and young people. This in turn, improves safeguards for children and young people.

p.3

This inspection

Children and young people are now supported by staff who have the necessary skills and training to meet their needs. Since the previous inspection staff have undertaken training in epilepsy, safe handling of medication, manual handling, behaviour management and autism awareness. Staff understand children and young people's individual needs are this training helps them to develop necessary skills to support these needs.

p.3

This inspection

The children and young people have been involved in helping to redecorate the home. They have helped to choose paint colours and have chosen their own bedding and curtains for the bedrooms. New games and toys have been purchased and provide young people with a wide range of sensory activities for them to enjoy during their stay. Young people have also continued to enjoy activities in the local community. All activities provided to children and young people are purposefully planned. Staff use these activities to help develop young people's communication, social, safety and life skills. Children and young people have particularly enjoyed visiting local shops to purchase items for the evening meals. It is evident from records that young people's outcomes have developed because of these positive opportunities.

p.3

This inspection

There has been good learning and changing of practice in response to a recent medication error. Senior managers properly investigate incidents and effective action is taken to improve practice. The team is currently undergoing a formal review of the medication systems by a suitable experienced and qualified health professional. The deputy manager is responding promptly to the recommendations raised and is currently producing a comprehensive list of medications that are commonly used in the home. This will enable staff to have a better understanding of the medications the children and young people take and any contra indications.

p.3

This inspection

The team notifies authorities, families and external professionals of significant incidents that occur in the home. However, informing Ofsted of such incidents is reliant on the Registered Manager's availability. This means that on two occasions since the previous inspection, notifications have not been made to Ofsted 'without delay'. 4 of 7 Managers have undertaken a risk assessment of the locality of the home. Some consideration about the local area crime statistics and liaison with the local police team has taken place. Attempts to consult with the local exploitation and/or missing from home teams have not yet resulted in feedback to assist the managers to consider these issues within the overall risk assessment. 5 of 7

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority and provides short-break care for up to six children and young people with a learning disability or a combined learning and physical disability. The home operates for five nights each week, spanning Wednesday through to Monday morning, with a maximum of six places per night.

p.5

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2014 Full good 02/10/2013 Interim inadequate progress 04/04/2013 Full good 27/09/2012 Interim satisfactory progress

p.5

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that when conducting a review of the location of the children's home, the registered person shall consult, and take into account the views of, such local bodies or persons considered appropriate. (Regulation 31 (1B)) 01/05/2015

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that there is a system in place to notify within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in 6 of 7 accordance with Regulation 30. The system includes ensuring notifications can still be made when the Registered Manager is not on duty. (NMS 24.1) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

Recommendations

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7