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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that there is a robust referral and admissions process. After requesting and evaluating a variety of documents to assist in the decision making process, she completes a compatibility risk assessment to determine if a young person’s needs can be met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive good quality care and support. Comprehensive placement plans and associated risk assessments guide staff well in how to meet young people’s care and support needs. These documents are regularly updated. Staff understand young people’s needs well and they engage effectively with young people to seek their views on the activities that they wish to do and the food and drinks they prefer during their stay. Leaders and managers have taken effective measures to ensure that staff provide consistency of care when they support young people with their eating needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy and relaxed in the presence of staff. A parent agreed and said, ‘The staff are very meticulous, they identify a problem before it occurs, they are on it. My son loves it there, and I know he is safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placement plans identify the action to take if young people become unwell and require emergency support. In particular, the registered manager has ensured that formal assessments and guidance are provided by healthcare professionals in order to manage such incidents. Staff have responded effectively when young people have required medical intervention due to their individual health conditions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been an increase in the use of restraint since the last inspection. This relates to the particular needs of a young person who no longer visits the home. Records maintained by staff demonstrate that restraint was used as a last resort, and to keep the young person and others safe. However, the records do not include information about the actual time the restraint was used. In addition, staff do not always record the views of young people about the intervention. The registered manager has reviewed the appropriateness of the use of sanctions and at present these are not imposed. The registered manager ensures that she undertakes a thorough investigation into potential safeguarding concerns. She informs the appropriate agencies, professionals and parents, where appropriate, and maintains good records to demonstrate a robust audit trail.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager effectively monitors staff performance in order to ensure that young people receive high quality care and support. Where there are performance issues, she takes effective action. Since the last inspection, a number of staff have received training in supporting young people who have percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube fitted, and training in ‘attachments’. However, staff have not received training in augmented communication. This was a requirement at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the registered manager has made a significant adjustment in respect of the volume of the telephone when it rings throughout the accommodation area. This has resulted in creating a more homely environment. In addition, the use of tablecloths and placemats has been reviewed, and they are used as appropriate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be effectively managed. The registered manager ensures that there continues to be regular external scrutiny of the service, and responds effectively to recommendations made. She has completed a detailed review of the quality of care that is provided. The review is evaluative and identifies the strengths of the service, and where improvements can be made. The improvements inform the home’s development plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One of the two requirements and both of the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide a short break service for up to 21 children and young people who have learning difficulties and/or physical difficulties. The home is managed and owned by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/07/2016 Full Good 16/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/07/2014 Full Good 30/10/2013 Interim Inadequate progress

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

33. (4) (a) Ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. This is in particular reference to training in augmented communication. 31/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

35. (3)(a) Ensure that, within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure. This is in particular reference to the time the restraint was used. 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that any child who has been restrained is given the opportunity to express their feelings about their experience of the restraint as soon as practicable, ideally within 24 hours of the restraint incident, taking the age of the child and circumstances of the restraint into account. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.60)

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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 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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