Children's Home run by Progressive Care Limited in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC002930 Visit date 13/11/2014 Inspector Jamie Richardson Monitoring report for a Children's Home Monitoring Report: SC002930, 13/11/2014 2 of 4

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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. Monitoring Report: SC002930, 13/11/2014 3 of 4

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is one of a number that is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to nine children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to assess the actions taken to meet the compliance notices issued to the provider on 31 October 2014 under regulations 4, 8, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, and 31.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The main areas of concern identified at the previous full inspection conducted on 22 October 2014 included the following; the arrangements for the protection of children, the health care needs of children not being addressed, a young person not having access to communication aids, education not being promoted, the lack of fitness of the premises, overall the care and welfare of young people residing at the home.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

At the monitoring visit conducted on 13 November 2014 we found under regulation 4 that the statement of purpose had been amended to reflect the current staffing arrangements and ratios being adhered to according to the varying needs of the young people placed at the home. We are therefore satisfied that this notice is met.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

We found that a new and more detailed admissions procedure relating to regulation 11 had been devised although had not been tested as no young people had been admitted since a restriction notice by Ofsted had been put in place. This compliance notice is deemed met but will the subject of further monitoring. Regarding the compliance notice issued under regulation 15 we found that access to aids and equipment are now readily available to young people with specific needs in order to facilitate better means of communication with others, however as this had only recently been provided in the home further monitoring is needed in to assess how effective staff are at implementing this. The inspectors also found that specialised training is to be made available for staff in support of young people with communication difficulties. This notice is deemed met overall.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The inspectors found under regulation 16 that staff are now being more proactive surrounding their attempts to locate young people missing from care in addition to contacting the police for assistance as required. We also found that staff are also in line with the home’s missing policy procedure alerting the relevant local authorities of their concerns regarding missing incidents prompting social care teams to hold strategy meetings where young people are considered to be at risk. Staff were therefore found to be implementing the home’s missing policy and procedure, therefore contributing to keeping young people safe from harm. This notice is deemed met. Monitoring Report: SC002930, 13/11/2014 4 of 4

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The inspectors found under regulation 18 that the staff are now engaging young people more effectively in leisure activities and in their education. Young people who do not attend mainstream school have been offered alternative education with staff support. Attendance in education for some young people has improved. Young people are more actively involved in activities of interest including for example, trips to the cinema, pumpkin making, thus helping to promote young people’s sense of worth and self-esteem. We are therefore satisfied that this notice is met.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The inspectors found regarding regulation 20 that some improvement had been made by staff in promoting the health and well-being of young people, by for example young people had successfully attended appointments at the dentist and opticians for the first time due to staff input and support. The emotional and physical health of one young person remains a concern. Although an alternative placement specific to the young person’s needs has been identified the inspectors found that a lack of sufficient attempts had been made to address his personal care and overall health including diet, general hygiene. Furthermore no health appointments had been arranged to address for example a possible continuation of a lice infestation in the young person’s hair. This notice will require further monitoring by Ofsted.

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Outcome of monitoring visit

The inspectors found relating to regulation 31 that improvements had been made to the home in particular a young person’s bedroom. New flooring, for example had been laid, the room appeared less cluttered and positive attempts had been made to clean the walls, kitchen area and fridge. Cleanliness and hygiene, however still remains an issue of concern in some areas. We found for example that a bedroom and bathroom wall are still stained with old faeces and therefore in need of further attention. Although we consider this compliance notice as being met further monitoring is required as other areas of improvement to the premises have been identified at this visit.

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About this monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and progress made by the Children's Home following an Ofsted inspection.

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