Children's home run by Central Bedfordshire Council in Central Bedfordshire

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 Declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no registered manager at this home since May 2015. A permanent appointment was made in November 2015 but the manager has not yet registered with Ofsted. Although a senior member of staff deputised well in the interim, lack of a consistent leader driving forward improvement has led to a judgement of declined effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment has improved, as recommended at the last inspection. A broken shower has been repaired and a new bath adapted to meet young people’s physical needs is due to be fitted shortly. Plans are underway for new flooring and decoration in the bathrooms; some bedrooms have been redecorated. This promotes a more comfortable and homely environment for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently, recording on young people’s care plans is inconsistent. Plans vary in quality, reflecting different staff styles. Individual plans do not always have clearly defined goals and identified outcomes to work towards. Where targets are in place, staff do not always record and evidence progress made. This does not provide young people with clarity about their achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has undertaken a full review of current care plans and, in consultation with parents, has designed a much improved template. The new format is due to be piloted shortly with a view to improving, refining and rolling out across the service. The new plans are likely to better identify young people’s individual needs in a child focused and accessible way. There are plans for staff to regularly record and evidence progress, ensuring that all achievements are recognised and celebrated. This is in the early stages of development and, as such, has not yet had a significant impact on young people’s experiences. Consequently, recommendations relating to recording and evidencing young people’s progress have not yet been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no new admissions to the home but there have been three new short break referrals. Information gathered about a young person, their specific needs and any risks they may pose to other young people is not always sufficiently detailed at the point of referral. Staff are therefore unable to assess thoroughly the impact that the placement may have on the existing group of young people. An incident did take place during a transition period for a young person, which had a negative impact on other young people living there, making them feel unsafe and anxious for a while.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is reviewing different ways of involving young people in making decisions about their home and the care they receive. For example, they recently chose new bathroom flooring. Young people’s meetings take place and are minuted, but staff do now always ensure that young people see the results of their views being taken into consideration.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have made progress. All young people are accessing an appropriate educational provision. Incidents of physical intervention have decreased. This is particularly significant for one young person, indicating that he is happier and more settled. All physical interventions are well recorded, with evidence of management oversight and dissemination of lessons learned to inform future practice. There have been no complaints or allegations made since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person continues to make progress with independence and self-care skills, which will assist him as he moves towards transitioning into adult services. Staff do not consistently record and evidence progress of young people using the short break service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are currently accessing social activities, both within the home and the wider community which parents identify as a strength. Staff are currently reviewing how to further improve this, ensuring that, wherever possible, young people have the same opportunities and experiences as other young people their age.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the manager has not been in post for long, he is reviewing all systems and procedures with a view to improving where necessary and raising standards accordingly. Staff remain competent and motivated to offer a good quality service and follow the lead of their new manager. A social worker said that they did not consider young people were directly affected by the absence of a registered manager but they were aware that it had an impact on staffing. They also said that it is now apparent that ‘someone is in charge’. Parents spoken to say that they have not noticed any change in the service offered to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager encourages staff involvement in future planning for the home and individual staff members are tasked with developing different parts of the service. Current focus is on improving the short break facility as a matter of priority.

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Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who have a learning difficulty and who may also have a physical disability. The premises are divided into three living areas; one area for shared care and short breaks, an area for long-term placements and a self-contained flat for one young person moving towards adult services. A local authority owns and operates this setting.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

Ensure staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording for every child so that all files are consistently maintained. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

Recognise and celebrate the achievements of children, ensuring regularly recording on care plans to better evidence progress made. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 31 paragraph 6.7)

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Recommendations

Ensure that placements are only accepted for children where the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and with full consideration of the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

Ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 22 paragraph 4.11)

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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

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