Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made progress in respect of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Systems in place to ensure that children are safeguarded have been reviewed and enhanced. Staff have received additional training and subsequent recording, evidences a more robust response to allegations and complaints. Managers understand when to notify Ofsted about a significant event. This has been done without delay and reports contain all the required information. Managers have also revised and updated the home’s statement of purpose in line with new regulations. Staff are aware of the content and purpose of this document.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has recruited two new permanent staff members who are due to start working at the home shortly following recruitment checks. It is anticipated that there will still be some vacancies as staff move on but plans are in place to better utilise existing staff. If necessary managers will reduce the number of beds offered in a planned way. This will help to ensure there is no need to cancel pre- booked stays.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is cleaner and brighter and staff have worked hard to repair and upgrade, in a cost effective way throughout. An application for refurbishment of all the bathrooms is in the final stages of approval. The manager is hopeful that all facilities will be replaced within the next six months. A new bath has already been installed in one bathroom. As such the environment is safer and more hygienic. It is also a nicer place for young people to enjoy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are hard-working and committed to making young people’s stays as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. They know the young people well, who, in turn respond positively to the warm, nurturing care provided. One parent said that she is very confident that her daughter is safe and looked after to a high standard when she stays. This enables her and other family members to enjoy a real break. She says that communication is excellent, staff share information willingly and she feels able to contact them at any time. Young people enjoy their short breaks. Parents and social workers say that they make progress in many areas through time spent here. One parent spoke with pride and happiness about her daughter’s participation in a course to encourage and enable young people to cook. She was eager to share evidence of the progress she had made and said that she continues to use and develop skills at home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another parent whose daughter also took part said: ‘The change in her has been amazing. She has developed the most wonderful cooking skills and has listened and learnt different techniques. To say we are proud is an understatement’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each young person has specified targets and outcomes to aim towards. Staff discuss and review these at team meetings and in supervision. They follow this up with a monthly call to parents to offer feedback and progress reports. The manager has plans in place to improve information gathering to better evidence how young people are achieving positive outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are consistently encouraged to develop independence skills at a level appropriate to their abilities. Parents say that they are surprised at the level of achievement attained which is often significantly more than has proved possible at home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff aim to manage transitions to best suit the needs of individual young people. They work alongside families and professionals, learning about the young person and introducing them gradually to the home. A stepped approach is adopted, increasing visits and eventually building to overnight stays. Staff also help young people to make the transition to adult services and support them to access an appropriate setting. The manager was able to give examples of joint working where staff had directly influenced the adult service offered to better meet young people’s needs. Each young person has a diary of their time at the home containing a visual record of activities, pastimes and important people that they take when they move on. Many young people choose to remain in contact with staff following a move to adult services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that they share all important information with young people in a way that they able to access and understand. The manager is currently working on a young person’s guide using pictorial exchange communication symbols. Staff are also developing more creative methods of communication such as short films, audio books and cartoon strips to inform and involve young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use physical restraint as a last resort and only when a young person is at risk of hurting themselves or others. Staff log all incidents in detail which manager’s cross reference with case recording. Detailed de-briefing sessions follow every incident. Any learning is disseminated throughout the team to improve practice. Staff update risk assessments as a matter of course.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff work closely with multi-agency colleagues in social work, education and health settings to provide a holistic service to young people. One social work team manager gave examples of joint working that demonstrated an integrated response offering best possible practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent visitors undertake regular assessments of arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people in the home. A number of individuals share this role and it is rare that there is consistency, in terms of who this will be from month to month. This has the potential to change the focus of the inspection and matters raised. The manager is not always clear about issues raised and what should take priority.

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Information about this children's home

This home provides respite care and accommodation for up to 12 children with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and associated emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people are cared for in three separate flats, the home is managed by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

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.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

Ensure that the registered person is confident that the independent person they appoint has the skills and understanding necessary to:  Relate to children in a home’s care;  Assess all relevant information; and  Form an impartial judgement about the quality of the home’s care. In particular ensure that the independent person provides Regulation 44 reports that are full, complete and of a consistent standard. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65 paragraph 15.8)

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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,

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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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

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