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

Provision subtype Children’s home

Registered provider Diverse Abilities Plus Ltd.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged to require improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . At this inspection, the inspector reviewed the home’s progress against the requirements made at the full inspection in October 2016 and scrutinised the safeguarding arrangements for young people. The manager has made good progress in meeting the majority of the requirements. One requirement, relating to the management of medication, remains in place to be re-assessed at a further date. This gives the manager more time to demonstrate the effectiveness of the measures that she has put in place to embed improvements in this area over time. At the full inspection, an appointed manager, who was not registered with Ofsted, was running the home. This has been resolved as the registered manager is now back in day-to-day charge of the home. The home has an up-to-date statement of purpose that accurately describes the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

services provided. Two young people are currently receiving care, in accordance with their care plan, that results in short-break stays that may exceed the 75 day allowance for homes registered to provide short-breaks. Should the providers want to continue this arrangement then they must apply to vary the homes’ conditions of registration. Staff help to develop the young people’s independence skills, provide them with different and enriching social experiences and give them opportunities to make choices. The home has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and decoration. It provides an excellent facility for children who have disabilities and is equipped to a very good standard. Young people have lots of indoor space to play in or in which to seek some quiet time by themselves, as well as outdoor games and equipment when the weather is suitable. They especially enjoy the sensory room and the ‘underwater bathroom’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has arranged for all staff to have training in physical intervention. Those who do not complete the training in good time will no longer be able to directly support young people. There have been five restraints since the previous inspection. All have taken place to ensure the welfare of young people and are proportionate. The manager has improved the detail of the information being recorded, following the use of a restraint, to ensure that all records are clear, accurate and in line with the expectations of the ‘Children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’ (2015). Staff now receive a de-brief discussion following each intervention to review their practice and discuss any learning from the event. There have been no reported occasions of young people going missing from staff’s care. Staff do not give sanctions to young people, as they come to the home for short breaks and to have a good time. There are no new complaints recorded, and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the manager states that she has not had to refer any safeguarding concerns to the local authority children’s services. The manager has implemented a thorough process to respond to the need of decreasing the number of medication and feeding errors. All staff have been asked to review their medication training and practice. Senior staff will reassess their competency. The requirement to administer medication safely to young people is repeated, because this process is not complete yet and there have been further administering errors since the full inspection. The manager has completed some good work relating to the vetting of agency staff working at the home. Meetings with managers from the agency have taken place. The agency now provides the home with all of the necessary details about agency staff. As a result, the manager is able to make a decision about the individual’s suitability before they work at the home for the first time. Thorough identification

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and criminal vetting checks are also carried out and obtained. An independent visitor audits the home once every month. Ofsted now receives the reports of these visits within the necessary timeframe. Social workers’ and families’ feedback obtained through questionnaires to the manager, is overwhelmingly positive. Families feel that their children are happy and safe while they attend the service. One parent stated that they ‘have always felt happy and confident, knowing the love and care given to my child by staff is exceptional’. A social worker said, ‘Staff know young people well and understand their needs’, and, ‘This home is a very valuable resource for our families.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is a short-break residential home for children and young people who have severe physical and/or learning disabilities. It is run by an independent charitable organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children or young people. Day care for children and young people is also provided.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 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) 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

(1) The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. 30/04/2017

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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 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 whom 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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