SC 040491

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have liaised with an external professional agency that was providing direct support to a young person while he was accessing the accommodation facilities at this short break service. Meetings included a review of the placement plans and risk assessments for the young person; in addition, agreements were made regarding the sharing of information. Following a sensitively planned transition, the young person has left this short break service and has moved to a residential facility that is also managed by the local authority.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has ensured that full and satisfactory information on staff who are provided by an external agency is now obtained. In addition, he has ensured that such information is obtained prior to newly recruited staff working in the home. However, the format that is used to record the information is not always clear. The registered manager said that he will review this format.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been a number of errors relating to the management of medicines. The registered manager has taken appropriate action in response, which has included notifying parents and the placing authority. However, he has not demonstrated the action that he has taken to further improve the management of medicines and to prevent further errors. He said that he has introduced regular audits and that an independent pharmacy adviser has visited the home to observe practice. None of these approaches have been recorded or evaluated to review their effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that potential safeguarding concerns are reported to the designated officer of the local authority, to parents and to the placing authority. After seeking advice from the designated officer, he ensures that appropriate action is taken to investigate such concerns and acts upon the findings of the investigation. The registered manager actively addresses poor practice by staff. Supervision records clearly demonstrate when the practice of staff has not been acceptable and the subsequent action that has been taken to improve their practice. The use of restraint is rare. However, if restraint is used, comprehensive records are maintained to demonstrate the action that has been taken. Sanctions are not used. Young people have not gone missing from the home, there have been no concerns in respect of child sexual exploitation and there have been no recorded complaints.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy accessing a short break service that is very homely in appearance and meets their needs. Since the last inspection, all bedrooms have been redecorated and fitted with new carpets, and all have new bedroom furniture. There are plans to have the kitchen refurbished, but no date has been confirmed for this work.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy visiting the home. A parent said ‘It is absolutely brilliant here, my daughter loves it; she accesses lots of activities that, at present, I can’t do with her.’ Young people are relaxed and happy in the company of staff and enjoy positive interactions with them. There is good communication between staff and parents. A parent agreed with this, and said, ‘If my daughter gets upset they will call me for advice; the staff are as good as gold and communication is spot on.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are offered choices in activities through the use of an alternative method of communication. However, staff have not received formal training in augmented communication. This was a requirement from the last inspection and has not been met; therefore, this requirement remains.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that the home is safe. The independent visitor recently raised concerns about the temperature of a hot water outlet, as it was exceeding a safe temperature. This concern was promptly resolved and the temperature of each hot water outlet is closely monitored. In addition, concerns were raised about staff not receiving regular fire drills. Records that were viewed confirmed that staff are receiving regular fire drill training.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor continues to regularly scrutinise the services that are provided. The registered manager responds effectively to any recommendations that are made. Since the last inspection, he has undertaken a review of the quality of care that is provided. However, the review does not identify the areas in which improvements can be made, the priorities for improvement or the effectiveness and impact that the improvements would have on the quality of care.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide a short break service for up to four children and/or young people who have learning difficulties. The home is managed and owned by the local authority.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/08/2016 Full Good 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/01/2016 Full Good 24/03/2015 Full Requires improvement

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must:

p.5

Requirement Due date

13. (2)(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 30/04/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

23. (1) The registered person must make arrangements for the safe handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines in the children’s home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, demonstrate the management action that has been taken to improve the management of medicines and to prevent further errors. 30/04/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

33. (4)(a) Ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, training in augmented communication must be undertaken. 31/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, review the format that is used to record matters relating to Schedule 2 in order to clearly demonstrate the checks that have been undertaken and ensure that these are recorded in detail. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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 that 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 children looked after 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