Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged ‘Good’ at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained its effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection carried out in February 2015 one requirement and one recommendation were made. These were in relation to maintaining young people’s privacy while they are using the external play area and ensuring that protocols around administering medication covertly are in place and endorsed by parents and social workers.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both of these issues have been addressed. Fencing has been erected around the young people’s play area and this means that members of the public are not able to look into the premises when they are playing outside.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Additionally, there are clear protocols in place which have been endorsed by parents and social workers if a young person has their medication administered covertly, for example mixed into yoghurt. This ensures that young people take their medication and the reasons for this agreed.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During a visit to the home in July 2015 the local fire rescue service identified a number of shortfalls and these have now been addressed. Therefore young peoples’ safety is maintained and fire procedures are clear to all members of staff.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a registered nurse in post who works at the home on a full time basis. She provides guidance to members of staff and has supported staff to develop good quality health care plans which identify young people’s needs and which are implemented in practice.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have been able to attend recent training facilitated by a member of staff in hygiene and hand washing. Young people enjoyed this as well as being educative for them and were an innovative method of improving their life skills. A parent has praised staff for their ‘commitment and creative working.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During a busy summer period the home has on at least two occasion, cancelled respite care for individual young people. This has been as a result of staff shortages. On the day of the inspection a young person’s contact visit to his parent was also postponed due to lack of staffing. Although staffing levels are maintained which ensure young people are supervised and kept safe, staffing difficulties have at time compromised the level of service the home wishes to provide.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The rear play area of the premises was untidy and there were areas in need of a thorough clean. For example, the area of under the trampoline, which is easily accessible by the young people, was covered in moss and there were objects such as stones and a loose spring underneath. This compromised the safety, attractiveness and homeliness of the play area.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This local authority children's home provides care and support for a maximum of 16 children. The home can accommodate children with both physical and learning disabilities. The home provides permanent placements or short breaks.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

20/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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

In order to meet the standard the registered person must:

p.5

Requirement Due date

13. (2) (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. 08/10/2015

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): ensure that the whole home is a homely domestic environment, in particular ensure that the external play area is tidy and clean (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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