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

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC004085 1 SC004085 Registered provider: Diverse Abilities Plus Ltd. Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is a short-break residential home for children 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 at one time, and day care is also provided.

p.1

Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have good experiences and lots of fun when they visit this home. Parents reported that their children enjoy coming to stay. The parents’ feedback to a recent questionnaire conducted by the manager includes the following comments: ‘My son loves his time at the home’ and, ‘They are always happy to go.’

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children stay in a well-resourced, spacious and clean environment. Bedrooms are individually decorated and personalised to the children’s personal preferences. The home is large enough that children attending for day care do not negatively impact on the space provided for those children who stay overnight. The garden and outside soft-play room provide further space and equipment for children to use. A parent said, ‘There is so much equipment and toys to keep the children occupied. It is a clean place and Interim inspection report children’s home: SC004085 2 everyone is happy.’

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a good level of care and opportunities to the children. They are attentive to children’s needs and understand their individual ways of communicating. Staff involve children in play and cooking activities, and entertain them with music and singing. Children take part in trips out to the local shops and parks. Children benefit from the opportunities to join in with these activities.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s behaviour is responded to safely and sensitively. Staff primarily use pre- identified motivators to distract children away from anxious and harmful behaviour. Restraints and sanctions are used infrequently, and only as a last resort to keep the children safe or to help them.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager responds effectively to complaints and concerns about staff’s practice. Complaints are investigated thoroughly and child protection concerns are shared with the appropriate agencies, as required.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has reduced the frequency of medication administration errors effectively. Last year, staff were provided with medication awareness workshops, and reviews were undertaken to assess their competency to administer medication. Since these measures were introduced there has been an 83% reduction in the number of medication errors.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work hard to ensure that children’s stays are positive experiences. The manager carefully arranges the children’s visits to ensure that children’s needs are compatible and that the necessary staff are available to look after them.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Permanent staffing levels are good. This ensures that children are supported by staff who they are familiar with. Parents confirm that there are always familiar staff on shift.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel well supported and they are provided with regular professional guidance to help them in their role. They report that they have good opportunities for training, which includes specific courses to meet the complex health needs of some of the children.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the requirement made at the last inspection. As such, the location of the home is now risk assessed to include consideration of its proximity to other services for vulnerable children in the area.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

A parent told the inspector, ‘The home is wonderful and has been very helpful to me and my family.’ There are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2017 Full Good 13/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Interim inspection report children’s home: SC004085 3 13/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 21/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.2

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

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.3

Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Diverse Abilities Plus Ltd.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Barnabas Project Centre, 13-15 Manor Avenue, Poole, Dorset BH12 4LB

p.3

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jonathan Seaward

p.3

Inspector

Guy Mammatt, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC004085 4 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.3

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspector

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

p.4