Children's Home run by Gloucestershire County Council in Gloucestershire

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

There are significant improvements to the environment since the previous inspection which makes this home look feel and smell better. The registered manager has a planned schedule for maintenance and redirection. Improvements include the redecoration of some rooms, new curtains and bedding, removal of locks from wardrobe doors and general declutter.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people’s care plans are more meaningful documents. Information is explicit about certain aspects of their care such as those who may wish to use the safe space area. Lessons learned from addressing the quality of care plans are improving the quality of records overall. All children and young people have targets and goals they are working to achieve. Staff support children and young people to meet these. The ‘my journey’ document provides an encouraging diary of children and young people’s achievements and progress over time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are attentive to the needs of young people and understand their varied methods of communication. For example, intensive interaction through singing to a young person encouraged their eye contact and engagement. Staff are skilled in the use of Picture Exchange Communications Systems (PECS) objects of reference and signs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records that detail incidents and physical intervention have become more explicit. Staff provide a clear description of events leading up to and during the time they are supporting children and young people with their behaviour. Staff have started to record children and young people’s demeanour following a physical intervention in an attempt to identify their feelings over time. The registered manager’s monitoring of these records is more robust. She is identifying learning and facilitating discussions with staff to come up with new support strategies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of children and young people harming one another have reduced. Staff have created visual aids about touch that help children and young people identify what is or may not be appropriate. When incidents have occurred the registered manager has dealt with them effectively and informed key professionals and family members. The registered manager is proactive in identifying solutions and triggers through multi agency meetings. This approach has led to children and young people becoming increasingly safe and having better experiences during their short break.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has improved the monitoring systems in place and feels in more control of the home. As a result she recognised ’staff are feeling better and my analysis is better’. Staff are recruited in a manner that keeps children and young people safe. Concerns relating to staffing are managed effectively. The registered manager follows the child protection policy and liaises well with safeguarding professionals such as the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO).

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people of either gender with physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. The children and young people's placements are made under short break arrangements and the service is delivered and managed by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

01/12/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  continue to improve the environment to ensure it is a homely and domestic environment rather than an 'institutional' impression. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, paragraph 3.9, page 15).

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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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