Children's home run by Diverse Abilities Plus Limited in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Provision subtype Children's home

Registered person Diverse Abilities Plus Ltd.

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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

At the previous inspection seven requirements were made, six of these have been fully met. The requirement in relation to the appointment of an independent person has not been addressed, as the appointment to this role has not yet been completed. Although interviews are taking place and an appropriate appointment is expected imminently, this requirement continues until a candidate takes up the position.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, the registered manager was on planned maternity leave. The acting manager was present, supported by the responsible individual and an experienced, stable and skilled staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people’s overall progress and experience remains positive in all areas of their development and they enjoy their time in the home. The care they receive from staff is highly personalised and sensitively delivered. Staff were observed working with children and young people who have complex and profound needs with appropriate affection and humour. The experiences of the young people using the services are enhanced by well planned activities and outings; as a result they enjoy fun times in the home and the local community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have in depth knowledge of each young person. They use effective communication systems personalised to each child or young person’s preferred communication style. Consequently they are enabled to develop new skills and have their views heard in the home. The relationships between the staff and the young people are well developed. Staff recognise the signs and signals given by each young person when they become anxious or distressed. As a result staff respond very promptly and appropriately to them, and the home remains stable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The admissions process to the home is well planned and the manager and staff conduct thorough risk assessments before a new child starts their stay. As a part of this children, young people and their families commence with short ‘tea time’ visits which are then slowly increased overtime with eventual ‘taster stays’. The routines and needs of each individual child and young person are assessed during this time, alongside their compatibility with existing service users. As a result transitions into the service are not disruptive and children and young people’s anxieties and stress are reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The personalisation of children and young people’s rooms when they stay at the home has improved. This has been achieved through a system of familiar pictures and personal items being stored at the home, and put in place as part of the meet and greet and exit transition programme. This is further supported by good communication systems with parents and carers; exchanges of information are robust. Consequently children and young people are cared for in a consistent way which supports their individual level of communication and understanding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management in the home is good; it is well documented by staff. Restraint is only used as a last resort and is mainly to turn and guide children and young people away from potential hazards, or release their grip from staff. Sanctions are used in appropriate circumstances, and all alternative solutions are explored before their imposition. No children and young people have been reported as missing from this service since the previous inspection. There have been no complaints since the previous inspection. The children and young people are properly supported in a safe and planned way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people in the home is of the highest priority. They are closely supervised by staff, without their privacy being compromised. The use of monitoring and surveillance equipment is assessed on an individual basis and appropriate permissions obtained from parents carers and placing authorities. Staff are well trained to recognise, respond to and report any suspicion of abuse. The wider organisation and the homes procedures of safer recruitment are robust. As a result children and young people in the home are being kept safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The systems in place for receiving and returning medication are good. Staff and parents sign the records, making sure individual children and young people’s medication is accounted for. Staff are trained in medication administration procedures, their practices are thorough. Children and young people’s health plans provide staff with the necessary information and how to respond to children and young people’s personalised health needs, such as, seizure control and peg feeding. Consequently their health and wellbeing needs are correctly met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The links with parents and carers, placing local authorities, commissioners, and social workers are good. Staff attend all planning and review meetings for children and young people, producing comprehensive reports for this purpose. For those children and young people placed directly by parents, comprehensive feedback reports are made to them about their child’s progress. Communication by the staff to all partner agencies is of a good standard. As a result children and young people’s progress in the home is properly monitored.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems used in the home analyse the care provided to children and young people and how effective staff are at doing so. The acting manager checks and reports on all administration systems in the home weekly and these inform monthly reports. External monthly monitoring since the previous inspection has not been conducted by an independent person; these have been completed by the responsible individual. Therefore appropriate quality assurance measures are not yet in place. The home is undergoing extensive re-design and development. This is currently being managed so as to cause the minimum amount of disturbance to children and young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is a short break residential home for children and young people with severe physical and/or learning disabilities. It is run by an independent not-for-profit charitable organisation working to meet the needs of children with physical and learning disabilities. It is registered to provide care for up to seven children or young people at any one time. Day care is also provided.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate 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

Regulation 43: Appointment of independent person

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Requirement Due date

(1) The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider's expense, a person (‘the independent person’) to visit and report on the children's home carried on by the registered provider. (3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the registered provider may not appoint the following as an independent person—(f) the responsible individual (if one is nominated); (Regulation 43 (1) (3)(f)) 25/04/2016

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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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