Children's Home run by Break Charity in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC025718 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Break Registered person address Davison House 1 Montague Road SHERINGHAM Norfolk NR26 8WN Responsible individual Hilary Bridget Richards Registered manager David Lee Harwood Date of last inspection 07/01/2015 2 of 5 Inspection date 24/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The last inspection of the home was in January 2015. One requirement and seven recommendations were made at that time. Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has taken action to ensure that these shortfalls have all been addressed.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has worked with the organisation to review the home’s independent monitoring visits. Changes include a new independent visitor and appointment of a family liaison officer. This addresses barriers to gaining feedback from parents and carers and will ensure consultation with others is embedded in the external review of the home. This will help the home to continually evolve to reflect young people’s changing needs.

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This inspection

There have been no formal sanctions since the last inspection. The staff have a culture of positive reinforcement as opposed to formal sanctions. However, the staff are reminded to record children’s views and the sanction log prompts this. Systematic recording of young people’s views helps staff and young people reflect on the consequences of behavioural incidents.

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This inspection

The drug policy for the home has been reviewed. This guides staff in certain circumstances for example, when young people have used substances or brought these into the home. The reviewed policy defines clear procedures. This improved area of practice means that young people are protected from substance misuse and the effects on other young people are minimised.

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This inspection

The manager has devised a new system to ensure that review reports are sent to the home within two weeks of the local authority review. Review meetings are diarised with a reminder date to chase the meeting minutes. These are added to young people’s files. This ensures that staff are aware of any actions raised and prompts them to liaise with the placing authority to ensure these are met. This 3 of 5 promotes integrated care that supports young people’s development and progress.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has ensured that all staff have or are working towards the minimum training requirements. Consequently, all staff are equipped with the theoretical knowledge for their roles. The workforce development for the organisation is working on how to capture young people’s views in the staff appraisal process. There is a commitment to making a cultural shift to embed this in practice. This ensures that the quality of relationships staff build with young people are used in the performance development of staff. Young people can see that their feedback is valued.

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This inspection

An independent advocate has been offered to a young person following an action point from a review. The social worker has also offered the young person counselling sessions and extra support. Staff consistently remind young people about their rights to advocacy, providing an option of an independent adult for young people.

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This inspection

The manager has made a reciprocal arrangement with the manager of another home to ensure that independent return interviews are undertaken when social workers are not available. This contingency means that when young people are missing for an overnight episode, opportunities to understand why they went missing are discussed. Working together with the police has radically reduced the numbers of young people going missing and associated risk-taking behaviours. Staff also work in close partnership with other specific support services and allocated school placements. This provides a joined-up approach and ensures barriers to young people’s progress are identified and addressed without delay.

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This inspection

Young people have improved their school attendance since the last inspection. Structures and routines are working well and conducive to good attendance in school. Young people are looking forward to a holiday abroad with staff. They are happy and relaxed in the company of staff and enjoy a varied range of activities. Young people are busy and engaged in their individual routines. This helps them feel positive about themselves.

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This inspection

There have been no safeguarding concerns or complaints raised since the last inspection. Staff use personalised risk assessments for young people that identify their individual vulnerabilities and promote their welfare and safety. As a result of this inspection, the home has been judged to have improved effectiveness. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home provides accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is owned by a registered charity that also owns a number of other children's homes.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/01/2015 Full good 29/01/2014 Interim good progress 22/05/2013 Full adequate 14/01/2013 Interim inadequate progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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