Children's Home run by Lifeworks Charity Limited in Devon

Unique reference number SC003792 Inspector Norma Welsby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Urban Thomas Andrew Date of last inspection 20/11/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 12/03/2015

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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

During the four months since the previous inspection, this service has made good progress in many areas. Leaders and managers have addressed the weaknesses identified during the full inspection and have pursued a comprehensive improvement programme. While many of these developments have yet to be fully embedded, there are signs that these will impact positively on the quality of the service provided and the outcomes achieved by young people.

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This inspection

The team has continued to provide a very child-centred and nurturing environment. Children and young people receive at least one-to-one support and have good relationships with staff. The safety of young people is well managed. Staff recognise the diverse needs and vulnerability of each individual. Good behaviour is positively promoted and while some physical restraints are used these are mostly low level guiding of young people as a means of distraction. Observations of children and young people indicate that they are comfortable and at ease and that staff respond to them in a very positive and nurturing way. Children and young people have lots of opportunities for enjoyment and fun.

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This inspection

During recent months young people and parents have been extensively consulted. The information gathered has informed a new outcomes framework that has been introduced, which is intended to enhance how individual needs are identified and how outcomes can be improved. Parents are to establish a 'parents forum', hoping to be more involved with the service, including supporting further progress.

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This inspection

The home continues to be well maintained and presented. Young people have recently been consulted on how to improve its homely and child friendly appearance. They have chosen new bedside lighting and work is also planned to reconfigure and improve the playroom. 'Treasure boxes' are also being introduced which will be personalised for each young person and available to them every time they visit. 3 of 5 The management and leadership of the home has been strengthened. The introduction of an operations director has given impetus to the improvement agenda. Her role has also supported the Registered Manager, as has the appointment of a new deputy manager. A number of records are being reviewed and improved, to ensure that they are fit for purpose and evidence good practice and progress young people make.

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This inspection

Arrangements for staff supervision have been reviewed. A new supervision model has been introduced and senior staff have had supervision training. They are clear about expectations of how often staff should be formally supervised. Staff have participated in an away day, giving them an opportunity to have their say and be included in the plans that are in place. Staff training needs have been reviewed and specialist training is to be provided in areas such as exploitation and sexual development of young people with a learning disability. Staff recruitment records have been amended to ensure that when future appointments are made, they include evidence that references have been verbally verified.

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This inspection

Quality monitoring processes have significantly improved. The charity has commissioned the services of an independent visitor to carry out regular visits and report on the service's conduct. There has been a period of intensive visits being carried out and comprehensive reports have been provided. The findings of these reports are making a significant contribution to improvements being introduced. The registered manager's review of quality of care has greatly improved, providing a more robust and reflective report that identifies how quality of care can be further enhanced. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This registered children's home is run by a charitable trust, providing care and accommodation for children and young people on both a long-term basis and for short stay breaks. The service provides eight short break and two long-stay residential places for children and young people who have learning disabilities and may also have physical disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/11/2014 Full adequate 06/11/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 22/05/2013 Full adequate 06/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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