Issue - meetings

This report sets out the progress made with  the implementation of the OFSTED action plan for a council children’s home. Report to follow

The Committee considered the progress made on the implementation of the OFSTED action plan for Haslemere Short break Centre.

The Children’s Home Improvement Board had been established and would meet twice a month.  The membership included two parents and a foster carer was expected to attend the next meeting.  16 permanent staff had been recruited and a further seven staff were also due to be employed. There had been significant support from the council’s Human Resources team to allow the posts to be filled as quickly as possible and for the centre to be on track to open in the New Year.

There were clear procedures in place for staff to follow in their care of the young people at the  centre and the  Head of Disabilities demonstrated to  members how new files would look . These were easily identifiable and would keep in an easy to reach locations.   Parents would need to sign in medication when dropping off their children at the centre. There had also been good support for induction and training by the Whittington Health Trust.

 The appointed centre manager currently works at the Sixth Form Centre and will already be a familiar face to the children and young people using the short break centre.

Whilst the centre was closed, families were given personal budgets for interim provision and overall parents had found this flexibility quite useful because it had allowed them to do extra curricular activities such as visiting family, and having days out as a family.

 A  Christmas party was arranged for young people on the 15^th December and a young people’s guide for the centre had been developed. The issues highlighted in the OFSTED inspection had all been addressed.

Members were pleased with the speedy progress made with the opening of the centre and actions completed to meet the recommendations arising from the OFSTED review.