Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good 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 home is being very well managed and continues to operate smoothly on a day-to-day basis with young people receiving personalised care of a high quality. A strong and supportive staff group continue to be successful in promoting positive experiences for young people. The home is regarded highly by parents and by professionals involved with individual young people. The home provides an excellent quality service for young people with a range of disabilities. Young people thoroughly enjoy their stays and living in the home; they make progress within a stimulating and caring environment. Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to assess young people’s needs prior to visiting the home. Transitions have been managed remarkably well by staff and this is clearly a strength of the service. One young person has moved out of the service since the last inspection. This was a very well planned and facilitated move

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

for the young person to an adult provision. The young person concerned had been at the home for enough time to make remarkable progress since being there. The home ensures transitions are tailor made and they are successful; staff advocate on behalf of young people during the process. Young people are supported in imaginative ways to progress across several areas of their lives, particularly in their independence and their behaviour. There have been continuing improvements in these areas, with some young people making significant progress since the last inspection. For example, one young person’s behaviours have changed remarkably with a professional describing it as ‘a complete change around, and a really positive story.’ This young person is now ready to move onto a permanent placement which had previously stated they were unable to meet her needs. Young people have made good progress in areas such

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

as participating in activities, spending time with their peers and gaining independent life skills. Feedback from a parent included, ‘she has settled in well, first it all went a bit downhill but she is now moving back up. She is very happy and really well looked after.’ Staff spoken to during this inspection shared many examples of how young people have moved on in a relatively short amount of time. Staff have a very good understanding of the young people’s needs in relation to health and general well-being. The staff skilfully promote a nurturing environment where young people feel safe and well cared for. The staff team are consistent in their approach and effectively engage with young people to promote positive behaviour. Behaviour management plans and risk assessments have now been updated to clearly state appropriate strategies to be used. The behaviour management policy is now under review with focus groups deployed to look closely

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

at what changes need to take place. This review has yet to be fully completed therefore this requirement is repeated. There is an on-going development, which is being regularly reviewed, and there have been a number of improvements since the previous inspection. The décor has been enhanced and in the promotion of independence is more focussed through extending the access to facilities for young people to undertake laundry in each of their flats and in their continuation of the residential learning programme. The management team are very aware of their strengths and weaknesses and are looking at ways to constantly improve. Internal and external monitoring is robust and the service is open to challenge and see it as a means to progress further. Managers have formed excellent links with the necessary professionals to enable young people’s emotional and mental health to be fully supported. In addition, meetings with local schools have been arranged to ensure consistency in approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff meetings have not always been regular in recent months and a number of staff have not attended these. Content in the minutes of the meetings is limited; this does not enable staff to be aware of any issues or concerns and to share consistent practice. Previous recommendations in relation to use of agency staff have been met; the rotas are being monitored to ensure more permanent staff are on shift than agency staff. In addition, agency profiles can now be accessed on line to ensure they have the necessary skills before they work in the home.

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Information about this children's home

This service is owned and run by the local authority, providing care and accommodation for up to four young people and short breaks for up to 16 young people with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the registered person keeps the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that all staff consistently follow the homes policies and procedures through having regular team meetings. Ensure these meetings are comprehensive and enable all staff to be able to attend. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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

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

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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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