Barnardo's Disability Support and Inclusion Service (Yorkshire Region) was rated Good across all five key questions at its unannounced inspection on 23 February 2016. The service demonstrated strong safeguarding, person-centred care and quality governance, though temporary staffing shortages had disrupted some families' respite sessions since Christmas 2015.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Staffing levels
: “I think they are short of support workers as we have not had any support since Christmas”
moderateStaffing levels: “It is hit and miss at the moment as they are struggling to find carers to meet [Name's] needs. He has all different carers now, so has no routine”
minorPerson-centred care: “They don't all stay the full time they should stay. This means I don't always get my hair washed and dried how I like it when I need to.”
minorStaff training: “Three parents...told us that not all support workers were suitable to support with their child's special needs...support workers required more specialist training in the complex conditions”
Strengths
· Robust safeguarding systems with trained support workers who understood reporting responsibilities
· Thorough recruitment procedures including DBS checks, panel interviews involving young people, and pre-employment verification
· Person-centred support plans reviewed monthly and co-produced with parents and carers
· Regular supervision, appraisal and mandatory training for all support workers
· Positive, open management culture with effective quality auditing and satisfaction monitoring
Quality-Statement breakdown (18)
safe: Safeguarding systems and child protection trainingGood
safe: Risk assessments and managementGood
safe: Staffing levels and rostersGood
safe: Recruitment practicesGood
safe: Medication managementGood
effective: Staff training, supervision and appraisalGood
effective: Consent and communicationGood
effective: Nutrition and hydration supportGood
effective: Healthcare needs and coordinationGood
caring: Kindness, dignity and respectGood
caring: Involvement of parents, carers and young peopleGood
caring: Wellbeing, privacy and independenceGood
responsive: Person-centred support planning and reviewGood
responsive: Activities and social engagementGood
responsive: Complaints handlingGood
well-led: Leadership culture and management styleGood
well-led: Quality assurance and audit systemsGood
well-led: Record keeping and information governanceGood
Barnardo's Disability Support and Inclusion (DSI) Service was rated Good across all five key questions at its October 2018 inspection, maintaining its previous Good rating from 2016. The service demonstrated person-centred care, robust governance and strong staff practice with no evidence of serious risks or concerns identified.
Strengths
· Staff demonstrated strong safeguarding awareness, knowing how to recognise and report abuse to senior management or external agencies.
· Robust recruitment practices including enhanced five-year reference checks for staff working with children and young people.
· Comprehensive three-month induction with shadowing and specialist training tailored to individual service users' complex needs.
· Regular supervisions every six weeks and a structured training programme supporting staff development.
· Person-centred care plans capturing individual preferences, cultural beliefs, communication needs and dietary requirements.