Children's Home run by Cornwall Council in Cornwall

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 . Young people continue to receive good care and support, because staff have a good understanding of young people’s needs. Placement plans are detailed and user-friendly and are regularly updated to reflect young people’s changing needs. A parent said, ‘My son appears happy when at the home. He likes the staff, so I’m a happy mum.’ As a result of accessing this short-break service, one parent said that her child ‘can do more things for himself now, such as personal care. He goes shopping, and is handling money.’ There have not been any new admissions since the last inspection. There is good communication between staff and parents. A parent agreed and said, ‘I can speak to the staff about anything. Communication is very good.’ As a result of effective record-keeping, the registered manager ensures that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

placement plans are regularly updated to reflect young people’s known risks. Risk assessments are comprehensive and accessible, and identify how to reduce and manage the risks. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has introduced an effective monitoring tool that improves her evaluation of the service and enables her to take any subsequent action relating to risk management. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has devised a monitoring tool to further evaluate behaviour incidents. This tool is used to help the registered manager to identify possible triggers and trends of behaviour. This tool is in the early stages of implementation and will be further evaluated for its effectiveness at the next inspection. In the main, the vast majority of incident records are comprehensive, and detail the action taken at the time of an incident, and after an incident. However, records pertaining to a medicines error did not confirm that the parent was informed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of restraint is rare, and sanctions are not imposed. Since the last inspection, there have been no recorded episodes of young people going missing, no concerns in respect of child sexual exploitation and no referrals to the designated officer or children’s services. There have also not been any complaints. Staff have recently received effective training in ‘visual impairment’. The registered manager and a staff member said that this training was very beneficial as it consisted of practical training and the use of mobility aids. The home continues to be well maintained, decorated and furnished to a high standard. It is child-friendly, spacious and has an abundance of resources that promote young people to play. Young people’s bedrooms reflect their needs and preferences, and staff ensure that, wherever possible, young people occupy the same bedroom each time they visit. In addition, the bedding used in young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people’s bedrooms is the bedding that they have chosen, as well as some personal possessions that they have brought from home. The home continues to be very well managed. The registered manager ensures that there is regular external scrutiny of the home and she responds effectively to recommendations that are made. The two requirements and two recommendations that were made at the last inspection have been met.

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides short breaks for children and young people. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and/or young people who have learning difficulties, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. The home is managed and owned by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 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, the 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

The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet this standard, the registered person must ensure that they – 6(2)(e)(ii) protect and promote each child’s welfare. In particular, ensure that parents are informed of incidents relating to the administration of medicines. 31/03/2017

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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 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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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, work- based 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,

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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