Children's Home run by Care Afloat Ltd in Lancashire

SC006011 Unique reference number 25 February 2010 Inspection date Sarah Oldham Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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14 October 2009 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC006011

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children aged from eight to 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated on a main road with access to public transport, health, shopping and leisure facilities. It is a detached property surrounded by gardens.

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Brief description of the service

Downstairs there are two lounges and a kitchen diner. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, bathroom, a staff sleep-in room and office which doubles up as another staff sleep-in room.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress the home has made with the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to improvements to medication, ensuring that the home had sufficient staff, safety and wellbeing of young people and documentation. Enjoying and achieving, positive contribution and economic wellbeing were not looked at during this inspection. The home has taken appropriate action to address previous requirements. Where the recommendations have not been addressed in full, the home has demonstrated that they are being addressed and have appropriate timescales in place. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection four requirements and four recommendations were made. The requirements were regarding ensuring notifications were made appropriately, having sufficient qualified and experienced staff, ensuring that the home has obtained satisfactory information relating to new staff employed and providing training for staff to counter any incidents of bullying. To address these, the home has ensured that all notifications are recorded and the appropriate agencies are notified of these. Recruitment and selection of staff is ongoing. There is greater consistency of staff employed at the home and this has proved positive for the young people living there. The home has completed files for each member of staff containing information about their experience, training and previous experience, in accordance with Schedule 4 (2) of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. Schedule 2 files are maintained at

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Improvements since the last inspection

head office and are made available at inspection. The final requirement, regarding staff having the skills to counter bullying, has been addressed through team meetings.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendations made were in relation to medication for young people, ensuring that staff receive supervision, that young people have access to an independent visitor if they have been missing from home and that the home is decorated to a good standard. Administration of medication is recorded and signed by staff. Each young person has their own medication record and this has resulted in improved recording for administration of medication. Records in place clearly demonstrate that staff receive supervision, as identified within the national minimum standards. This enables staff to have the necessary guidance and support to provide care to the young people living at the home. When a young person has been missing from the 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC006011 home they are able to have access to an independent visitor if this is what they require. The home has been redecorated in part and this decorating is ongoing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. At the previous inspection a recommendation was made in relation to ensuring that non-prescribed medication was recorded appropriately. The home has addressed this by ensuring that each young person has their own medication administration record in place that is signed and dated by staff who have administered both prescribed and non-prescribed medication. The remaining areas of this outcome have not been assessed during this inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. All young people have their own rooms. Staff are aware of the importance of ensuring that the privacy of young people is respected. Young people say that the staff always knock on their doors and wait for a response before entering.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a complaints procedure in place and ensures that any complaints made are clearly documented and the outcome of the complaint investigation is recorded. Young people are made aware of the complaints procedure verbally and it is also included in the children's guide and information pack that all young people receive when they arrive at the home. Staff have received training and guidance on responding to any complaints made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a procedure in place regarding child protection and safeguarding. This is currently being updated to ensure that it links in with the Local Safeguarding Children Board policy and procedure. All staff have undertaken child protection and safeguarding training. This is updated on an annual basis to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to safeguard the young people living at the home. Bullying within the home happens rarely; when it does, staff respond appropriately and ensure that the young people are supported. Any allegation of bullying is addressed and support provided to the young person being bullied, as well as support to the instigator of the bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When a young person is missing from the home, procedures are in place to respond to this. These are in line with the local authority and the police missing from home procedures. Individual risk assessments are undertaken and form part of the overall placement plan. However, there is some inconsistency with specific responses relating to the implementation of the risk assessments by staff. This does not demonstrate that risk assessments are consistently followed. When a young person returns to the home, documentation is completed in full and the home informs relevant people of the young person's return. Systems are in place to notify significant events to the appropriate people including Ofsted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's behaviour management policy and procedure is currently being reviewed. Young people are supported to develop behaviour that is socially acceptable through positive encouragement. This is discussed with young people during their individual key worker sessions. Sanctions that are put in place are recorded within the young person's file and the sanctions book. Young people say that sanctions made are fair and they are aware of why they are made. Staff have received training and guidance on behaviour management and are aware of the 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC006011 sanctions that can be made. Physical intervention is rarely used, however, all staff have undertaken updated training regarding this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has an up-to-date fire risk assessment in place and maintains regular fire checks. In addition to this, regular fire drills are undertaken with young people to ensure that they have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of a fire. Fire equipment is maintained by an independent company and records are maintained of servicing undertaken. The home promotes safety and wellbeing of young people by ensuring that all equipment used within the home is maintained and serviced in accordance with health and safety regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All visitors are required to sign the visitors book to ensure that there are mechanisms in place to promote the safety of the young people living there. Staff recruited to work at the home are required to submit an application form outlining their experience and qualifications. They also undertake an interview, have two references including one from the previous employer, and have an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau in place prior to commencing employment at the home.

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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, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that written records are made of all incidents of absconding, the action taken by staff and the circumstances of the child's return (NMS 19.6) • ensure that risk assessments for young people's known and likely activities (both permitted and illicit) are in place and the procedure to follow is known and implemented by staff in accordance with individual risk assessments (NMS 26.2) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC006011

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