Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC032167 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person address Doncaster Council, Civic Office Waterdale DONCASTER South Yorkshire DN1 3BU Responsible individual Linda Calverley Registered manager Julie Anne Wybrant Date of last inspection 27/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 11/03/2015

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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

This inspection assessed the progress of the home since the last full inspection conducted in October 2014 when the home was judged as adequate. A number of requirements and a recommendation were raised at that inspection. All have been addressed.

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This inspection

The Statement of Purpose has been amended to correctly reflect how the home operates. It clearly describes when listening devices are used which are specified in children and young people’s care plans. For example, when children or young people have seizures the monitoring device alerts staff to enable them to take appropriate action. There are sufficient staff employed particularly at night to ensure all the children and young people are adequately supervised. All bedrooms are equipped with sufficient furniture to enable children and young people to store their personal possessions while they are staying at the home. The home has purchased a new profile bed with plans to purchase a second. These beds are used for children and young people with limited mobility who have had an occupational therapist assessment undertaken. The old vanity units in children and young people’s bedrooms have been replaced. This enhances the environment for the children and

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This inspection

young people. There are clear procedures in place advising staff what action to take in the event of a fire. For those children and young people who may be distressed by moving outside or are difficult to move there are personal emergency evacuation plans in place clearly advising staff what action to take. The regulation 33 visitor as part of her visit consults with parents to ascertain their views on whether their children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted. Information regarding children and young people’s care is clearly recorded, in particular the support that they receive during the night. This enables interested parties to have an understanding of the routines of the home.

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This inspection

The refurbishment programme is ongoing. There is effective communication with the 3 of 5 children and young people in deciding the décor of the communal areas of the home and individual bedrooms. Some children and young people require a very low stimulus environment and the staff are balancing the needs of these children and young people with the needs of those individuals who prefer a more lively environment. To this end the staff have maintained the main lounge as a low stimulus environment with minimal wall art while creating a more lively space in the sensory room. This enables children and young people to choose where they wish to spend their time in an area that is suitable to their wishes. The same consideration has been given to the bedrooms. Some children and young people prefer the minimum of furnishings while others prefer a more colourful personal space.

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This inspection

Although parents oversee their children’s education, staff work closely with schools and have built up effective working relationships. Staff have been invited into schools to observe the children and young people in a different setting and accompany them on trips. This promotes a consistent approach in managing children and young people’s behaviours as well as sharing practice issues. Staff have also attended manual handling training in school which is specific to individual children and young people. This ensures that young people are moved appropriately.

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This inspection

There have been two physical interventions applied since the last inspection. These were well managed and appropriate to prevent violence escalating. The restraints were recorded in line with regulation and young people are supported following the incidents.

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This inspection

The manager undertakes effective monthly monitoring of the home and there are systems in place to consult with children, young people, their parents and placing social workers. The staff are becoming more familiar with the shared electronic systems which allows for a free flow of information for all interested professionals. Although the regulation 33 visitor visits the home monthly, Ofsted have not received these reports in a timely fashion. This does not allow the regulator to act promptly if any concerns are raised. However, this has not had an impact on the welfare of children and young people.

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This inspection

Staff are proactive in supporting parents in identifying suitable move on placements for when their children reach adulthood. Staff will accompany young people on visits to new settings to help with the transition.

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This inspection

Children and young people are safe. There are no safeguarding concerns or missing episodes. Young people say they like coming to the home and they feel well cared for. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides up to 10 short-break placements for children who have physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/10/2014 Full adequate 10/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 29/08/2013 Full adequate 01/02/2013 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

(2001) provide a copy of the regulation 33 report to HMCI. (Regulation 33 (9)(a)) 30/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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.

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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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