THIS home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness.
At the last inspection two requirements and five recommendations were set. The manager has met the majority, but not all, of the requirements and recommendations.
One further requirement has been set at this inspection.
Since the last inspection, the manager has received suitable professional supervision to help them to reflect upon and develop their practice. The home‟s statement of purpose, as highlighted at the last inspection, is inaccurate and does not clearly detail the type of service on offer.
For example, it refers to being able to provide care and accommodation for children aged 5-18, and in other places 14- 18. It also details out of date information in respect of the previous children‟s rights director post and states it is able to support children with mental health problems. Whilst this has no direct impact on the current children, it does not provide placing authorities and parents with accurate information.
The children enjoy an environment that is well maintained and homely, whilst suitably adapted and equipped to meet their needs. Door alarms are situated on the bedroom doors to alert staff during the night should the child leave their room. This is now been clearly communicated with parents and placing authorities, ensuring understanding of, and agreement in their use. The manager has improved the safety of the home, for example, pull chords on blinds are now appropriately secured. As a result, vulnerable children are safer.
The manager has undertaken a review of the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home, which identifies low risks in relation to criminal activity within the community. However, this has not changed since the last inspection. There remains insufficient information and evaluation of any risks, and opportunities regarding health and education presented by the home‟s location, and strategies for managing these. This has little impact on the current children, as they have been able to maintain and access the support services they currently need.
The new central register of children admitted into the home means that it is much easier to identify who is resident in the home or receiving a short break at any
given time, should such information be required now or in the future.
Adequate monitoring systems are in place to review the quality of care provided. At the last inspection, the manager was asked to develop these further to incorporate feedback from children, their families and placing authorities to gain a full view of the quality of care. The manager has a plan on how to action this, however, no review has yet taken place. The monthly visits conducted by the independent person are highly detailed and document the individual progress children make. However, on occasion the level of detail is inappropriate. For example, the most recent report detailed individual children‟s patterns of personal bodily functions and medical issues. This information can be accessed by a variety of people and disseminated beyond the confines of the home, which means confidentiality is undermined when personal and identifiable information is included.
There have been no significant incidents since the last inspection, such as, complaints or missing from care. Physical intervention is very rarely used within the home, with redirection and consistency being the most frequent and successful behaviour strategies used. Staff are clear on the thresholds for its use and there are appropriate plans for those staff who have yet to receive suitable training, to do so.
A CHILDREN’S home for young people with learning needs has been praised by Ofsted.
The Satash Communiyt Care Project was inspected in March.
The report states:
Staff are clear on their central role of safeguarding. Any matters that indicate a child is unwell or has hurt themselves are suitably addressed, ensuring the child receives appropriate support. Staff pass on any potential concerns to be appropriately investigated. Placing authorities and parents say their children feel safe, and they have absolute confidence in the staff to effectively safeguard them. The children have developed positive bonds with staff indicating they feel safe. For example, one enjoys snuggling up for a cuddle and another always follows favourite staff about holding their hands.
Staff provide an individualised and child focused service. Equality and diversity is threaded through the service, ensuring children‟s individual needs are met. As a result, they make individually significant progress from their starting points, in their behaviour, social skills, confidence and personal care. Partner professionals say „staff seem to understand them really well‟.
The staff and manager work well in partnership with others, such as schools, to improve the experiences of children. Staff facilitate contact arrangements with families, enhancing contact. For some, this enables them to enjoy contact during their short break with extended family, which otherwise would not occur.
Feedback from partner agencies is highly positive and includes, „the home has been absolutely brilliant. I‟m so pleased, they‟re so supportive‟ and „I can‟t wish for a better service for my young person‟. A school commented on how staff „engage well and provide the child with stability‟ and as a result they have „seen lots of positive changes‟ for the child.
Whilst two requirements and recommendations either remain from the previous
inspection or have been set at this inspection, these do not impact on the outcomes and experiences of children, which remain strong.
