Children's home in Gloucester

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has returned full time to his post and has successfully taken effective action to meet all of the requirements and recommendations. Both the children’s guide and fire procedures are now accessible in widget format to ensure the young person has access to relevant information. A communication passport has been developed and shared with health professionals, to ensure a consistent approach is used to support the young person when attending health appointments. Fire drills and health and safety checks are now taking place on a regular basis and the registered manager has implemented a clear audit system for monitoring all paperwork and procedures within the home. As a result, he has a clear understanding about the strengths of the home and the areas for improvement. He has also taken effective action to improve the quality of staff knowledge by accessing specialist training in autism, ADHD and specialist

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

communication systems, including the ‘PECS’ system. This has improved communication with the young person.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person continues to live in a home where the staff and manager are determined and committed to making a positive impact on her life, ensuring she has the same opportunities and experiences as her peer group. Staff are enthusiastic, know the young person well and enjoy spending time with her. Both the social worker and parents report that the young person is happy; settled with her staff team, and continues to make progress in all areas of her life. Staff recognise the signs when she is becoming upset or distressed and offer appropriate levels of support, while providing quiet times and space alone. The young person likes to go in the garden area on her own and run around, until she feels able to return to the home environment.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the young person has very limited verbal communication, the staff encourage and support her to use pictures and symbols to express her wishes and feelings and make choices in a meaningful way. Staff have worked with education professionals, including the speech and language therapist, to ensure that the same approach, including the same timelines and pictures are used in both settings. This has improved the quality of communication and is helping the young person feel less frustrated.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person now has many opportunities to develop her skills through experience. She has made tremendous progress is using the toilet independently, using single syllable words to let staff know she would like a drink, completing personal care tasks and learning simple laundry routines. For example, bringing her clothes to the laundry area and loading up the washing machine. This has improved her confidence and she enjoys the daily rewards in place for meeting her targets. The manager and staff ensure that the young person’s disability is not a barrier to her playing an active part, in both leisure and social activities in the community. All activities are carefully planned, with appropriate levels of staff supervision. The young person has been out for meals, been to the cinema and local disco and is looking forward to an organised trip, with the aim higher group, to a residential activity adventure centre. The young person has become a lot

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

more confident in the community. She is leaning socially acceptable behaviours, which has increased her self-esteem and confidence.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a clear understanding of the risks to the young person’s safety, including the risks associated with her disability and level of understanding. They have all received training in safeguarding which included understanding the signs of when young people can be at risk of sexual exploitation. They are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and understand how young people can be groomed. They know the young person very well and are able to identify when something is wrong by noticing changes in her behaviour and mood or health. They follow safe care practices when assisting the young person with personal care and are aware of their roles and responsibilities in reporting any concerns or risks. Staff follow detailed and up-to-date risk assessments, placement plans and care plan to meet the needs of the young person and ensure she is appropriately protected. Plans clearly show how risks are identified, managed, and

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have reduced in accordance with the young person’s individual plan. Staff receive supervision on a regular basis and most appraisals have now been completed. This has provided staff with a time to reflect on practice and professional development. The manager ensures that people wishing to work at the home go through a rigorous selection procedure and are thoroughly vetted. He makes sure that they have the right experience, skills and motivation to work with young people with autism, and prevents unsuitable people from working at the home.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to two children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities .

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

15/09/2014 Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

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.6

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.7

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.7

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.7

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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.8