Children's Home run by Broadlands Hall Limited in Suffolk

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged adequate at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider has partly met the two requirements and three recommendations from the previous inspection. In recent months the provider has recruited a new manager for the home. He is introducing a range of systems and approaches designed to raise standards and improve the quality of young people’s experiences. This inspection raises a further two requirements and two recommendations.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is not at full capacity. Since the last inspection one young person left to return to family because the home identified that they could no longer meet his needs. No new young people have arrived. Staff do a good job of supporting young people with a diverse range of communication abilities. They use picture exchange communication systems to enable young people to express their mood and requests. One young person while showing the inspector around said his home is: ‘excellent’.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people continue to achieve 100% attendance at school. Some young people are proud that they are making progress. They have certificates presented from school which reinforces their achievement.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing from this home. Should a young person seek to leave the grounds staff accompany them. This safeguards young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers take action and respond to allegations and incidents of staff misconduct. They follow policy which can result in staff dismissal. This helps to keep young people safe and ensures the continued suitability of those working directly with them. Movement in the staff team has resulted in the offer of additional hours to existing staff and an increase in the use of agency workers. Managers are taking action and currently recruiting to vacant posts. The current staffing arrangements continue to meet regulatory requirements.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from varied opportunities to learn and practice skills for living semi independently. This supports and empowers them to develop their potential. Staff receive training to use physical intervention is this home. The majority of incidents relate to individual young people with complex challenging behaviours. This inspection noted that on more than one occasion more than three adults had restrained one young person. While this in itself does not breach regulation the subsequent written description is not clear and as a result the system falls short of requirements.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers and parents praise the work of the home. One family member described staff as : ‘ always very helpful, friendly and positive’. They describe the progress made by young people as: ‘remarkable.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints about the running of the home from stakeholders or young people. The homes manager has recently introduced a new system to help staff to capture young people’s grumbles. At the time of this inspection staff had not used the system. This falls short of encouraging children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are developing an effective working relationship with the homes new manager. They are receiving supervision and attending regular team meetings. This enables a culture to develop where all are encouraged to reflect on day to day practice. The provider has introduced a structure for mandatory staff development training. However, the depth and range does not sufficiently reflect the knowledge required for caring for individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. As a result staff development falls short of regulation.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interior of the home offers considerable space. Young people are encouraged to personalise and decorate their bedrooms. This helps them to feel at home and comfortable in their private space. All access a range of fun and physical activities. For example, in the expansive garden they use the swings and trampoline. Locally young people go out walking, swimming and horse-riding. This helps all to keep active and promotes positive emotional well-being.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This section should outline:  This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to eleven children and young people with mild to severe learning difficulties and or autism. There is a school located on the grounds also regulated by Ofsted.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4) (a))

p.5

10/08/2015

ensure that within 24 hours the measure of restraint in relation to a child in the home is clearly recorded and includes: Details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of restraint, details of any methods or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure, the name of all people who used the measure, the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3) (ii) (v) (vi) (vii))

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure staff encourage children and young people to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without any fear that this will result in any adverse consequences. (The Guide. Page 23.Paragraph 4.13)

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure staff are familiar with the homes policies in record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (The Guide. Page 62. Paragraph 14.3)

p.5

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7