Children's Home run by Praxis Care in Leicestershire

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people enjoy having short breaks at this provision. They particularly enjoy the activities such as swimming, singing, arts and crafts and walks in the local area. They make good progress with their personal hygiene, confidence, communication and social and independence skills. For example, staff support children and young people to try new activities and therefore, they broaden their opportunities, experience and confidence. Staff emphasise the need to be able to communicate effectively with children and young people in order for the child to grow and develop. Consulting with children and young people, offering them choices and supporting them to make decisions, is very important to staff. Staff have a good understanding of the communication needs of each individual. They are able to effectively communicate with them in a way that is meaningful. Children and young people will make choices about activities, food and the staff who will support them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Mealtimes are relaxed and sociable events. Children and young people are sensitively supported to ensure mealtimes are a positive experience. Menus are created by ensuring they meet individual likes and dislikes. Children and young people are provided with healthy and nutritious meals to promote and sustain their health. Staff receive training to support children and young people with healthcare needs such as gastrostomy feeds and chest percussions. Staff work closely with parents and external professionals such as teaching staff and social workers. Staff make visits to schools and parents. Through this partnership working, staff ensure a consistent approach and good communication. Practice to promote the safety of young people is good. Staff are competent in their knowledge of the home’s safeguarding procedures and implement these well. Restrictive practices such as use of the safe space bed are only used to keep

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

children and young people safe. Restrictive practice is well documented, reviewed regularly and agreed by parents and the placing authority. However, plans do not demonstrate how staff will support a child using a safe space bed to gradually move away from this restrictive practice. Therefore, the requirement made at the previous inspection has not yet been fully met. Staff have a good understanding of the children and young people and what triggers poor or challenging behaviour. Incidents are low due to strong routines and boundaries. In addition, staff communicate effectively with children and young people, which helps to prevent any unwanted behaviours. The provision is split into two separate units, one of which is a relatively new extension to the original property. The provision has been designed for children and young people with physical disabilities as well as a learning disability. Each unit

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

can take up to four children and young people. The original building continues to admit children and young people who have a learning disability and a physical disability. It is equipped with appropriate moving and handling equipment such as ceiling track hoists and a high low bath. There is a lovely sensory suite, which children and young people enjoy. However, the new build also has a high low bath and is used only for children and young people who do not have a physical disability. There is a small garden and space is limited indoors. There is mobile sensory equipment which can be put in the fourth bedroom as this is not normally in use. Nevertheless, this is well managed by the staff. Furthermore, numbers are often limited to three rather than four, which helps with the lack of space. The provision is clean and generally well maintained and decorated. A heavily stained carpet will be replaced within a few weeks and some soft furnishings are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

also being replaced. Groups of children and young people being admitted into the units are managed well. They come in with friends, siblings or others who they get on well with. Staffing is appropriate to meet the needs of the children and young people and is often on a one-to-one basis. The registered manager is experienced and provides good leadership and support to staff. She understands the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and has plans in place to address shortfalls within her control. Most staff are qualified. They are passionate about providing a high quality service for the children and young people. They enjoy their work and many have been working at the provision for a long time. Consequently, there is a strong, consistent core staff team, which enables children and young people to form strong relationships with them. Some planning documentation is inconsistent between documents, such as care

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

plans and risk assessments, and between documentation and practice, and therefore confusing. Furthermore, records are not always fully completed. For example, a body map stated bruising to a child but the action taken was not recorded. However, staff are clear about the action to take when a child has bruising and, therefore, this was an error in recording only.

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Information about this children's home

The provider organisation is a registered charity. This home provides short breaks for children and young people with learning and physical difficulties, and often complex healthcare needs, accommodating a maximum of eight at any one time. The home is split into two separate units, which can accommodate four children each at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(1) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. This specifically relates to use of restrictive sleeping arrangements. 31/03/2016

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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 staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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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