Children's home run by Essex County Council in Chelmsford

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 manager has made good progress against the requirements from the last inspection. Staff have reviewed and updated each young person’s personal emergency evacuation plan, including more detailed and specific information. In addition all fire drills and practice evacuation procedures now take place on a regular basis and within required timescales. This ensures that staff and young people have a better understanding of what to do in an emergency adding to the effectiveness of the home’s fire safety systems. The independent visitor is now ensuring that reports of visits are sent to Ofsted on a regular basis, thereby providing an up to date and independent overview of the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy accessing this short break service and many have been doing so for a number of years. Parents speak highly of the quality of care and experience it provides for their young people. Parents from different families said independently that they consider staff an extension of their own families due to the care and concern they consistently demonstrate towards the young people. Parents are confident that young people are encouraged and enabled to make progress, particularly around independence and social skills. Each young person has targets and outcomes to aim towards which are considered on every day of their stay as part of the daily records kept. Behaviour is also monitored similarly. Managers plan to collate this information into regular six monthly reviews to further reflect on progress and inform future care planning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has recently reviewed and upgraded systems in place to safeguard the administration of medication. This was precipitated by the discovery of an error, which, in this instance, did not have a significant negative impact. The manager investigated and managed the matter promptly and robustly ensuring that young people were appropriately safeguarded. The manager then went further and researched current practice and guidance to significantly improve the existing system. As a response detailed training, focusing on lessons learned, was delivered to staff across the local authority children’s home provision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people new to the service have the opportunity to transition into accessing short breaks at their own pace, in line with what is best for them. Prior to admission key working staff undertake a full assessment of a young person’s needs. This includes liaising with family and involved agencies to ensure a holistic view. Visits and overnight stays can be included as part of this process. Key workers will then undertake a case presentation to other staff at which point individualised care plans and risk assessments are finalised. Care plans are detailed and personalised to meet a young person’s needs across all areas of their development. Although staff are mostly clear and informed about individual plans, there has been an occasion when staff did not follow guidelines relating to food preferences and contact for one young man whilst on a short break.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An experienced and able manager is assisted by a very competent deputy to lead a highly motivated staff team. Managers understand the importance of regular review of the service offered and gather key information in order to do so. Effective systems are in place and managers have oversight of all records to inform and focus future planning. Young people and their families are encouraged to offer feedback in a way that is appropriate to them. Staff also record young people’s views on a daily basis in reflection logs which wherever possible influence how the service is structured.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and young people are warm and relaxed. There is a calm and happy environment in the home and young people appear happy and comfortable there. Young people have the opportunity to access a wide range of activities, both in the home and in the wider community. Parents say that young people are offered experiences here that otherwise they would not be able to access. They are clear that staff in this home have such positive relationships with young people that incidents of challenging behaviour are rare. However, when necessary, staff are skilled and confident enough to manage even the most difficult situations in an appropriate way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use appropriate sanctions in line with young people’s level of understanding. This encourages young people to begin to understand wider consequences of their behaviour. Wherever possible a restorative approach is used and young people are helped to understand how their actions may impact on others. Staff are skilled at managing this in a way appropriate to a young person’s level of understanding. Physical intervention is used rarely and as a last resort. Incidents are recorded in detail with opportunity for those involved to reflect on the experience. Managers have oversight of all sanctions and physical interventions and record and track frequency and circumstance to better understand triggers to challenging behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is mostly bright, well-furnished and maintained. There are plenty of resources and attractive indoor and outdoor sensory areas that young people particularly enjoy using. Some bedrooms and living areas, however, have torn wallpaper and patchy painted walls. In the bath and shower rooms there is flooring that is discoloured and stained slightly in places. This is not in keeping with the rest of the home and does not provide a homely environment.

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by the local authority and provides short breaks for children with disabilities. It is registered to provide respite care for eight young people with learning disabilities who may also have additional physical and health needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b)(iv) that staff provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans particularly in relation to food choices and contact arrangements. 18/03/2016

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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 the children's home provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children that is homely. In particular, ensure the communal areas, bedrooms and bathrooms are maintained to a good standard. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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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

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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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