Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

SC008607 Unique reference number 22 June 2009 Inspection date Mark Kersh Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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28 January 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 8 Inspection Report: SC008607

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Brief description of the service

This home is rented and managed by a private organisation. The home consists of two bedrooms, a staff office and sleeping-in room and a bathroom upstairs, and a lounge and dining kitchen downstairs. The house is situated in a residential area close to shops, public transport and community facilities. It is close to the town centre and is indistinguishable from surrounding properties.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people live in this home and were present during the inspection.

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection, all key standard were inspected. This is a good service in most respects with some outstanding features in protecting young people and planning documentation. Young people are encouraged to eat healthily and take regular exercise. Young people's welfare and independent skills are enhanced by the good relationships that exist between staff and young people, and between young people and their peers. The home works closely with a wide range of outside agencies in order to protect and meet the full range of young people's needs. Written information in respect of young people is clear and accurate. Staff are supported well by the manager who has a strong commitment and focus on improvement. However, risks to young people and staff have not been assessed or recorded in respect of lone working. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. There were no actions or recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people contribute to menus and express their preferences for food during weekly meetings with staff. The home provides young people with fresh food purchased locally and healthy snacks and drinks are available outside of mealtimes. Staff encourage and educate those young people who are preparing meals themselves as part of their independence programme. Detailed records are kept of young people's food intake to ensure they maintain a well balanced diet. Food allergies are highlighted within young people's plans and all staff know which type of food to avoid for particular young people. All staff and young people have completed a food hygiene course and they prepare and cook food safely. Young people experience foods from diverse cultures and are made aware of the celebrations and festivities of their own and other communities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health and general well-being is effectively promoted by staff who maintain clear health plans and records of appointments young people attend. Young people access local health services and any refusal to attend appointments is well documented, and a further appointment made. Staff have a broad knowledge of specialist health services, for example, psychologist and behaviour management, should young people require intervention for specific 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC008607 health matters. Young people have very good information available to them in respect of social issues which may directly affect their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The procedures staff follow for the safe storage, administration, recording and disposal of all medication protect young people and ensure they only receive medication as prescribed for them. All medication brought into the home is accountable with detailed records showing remaining balances, and staff regularly audit medication records. All staff are first aid trained and can respond appropriately to any injury or illnesses, records of accidents are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people's rights are respected by staff and their privacy is maintained. All written information in respect of young people and staff is stored securely for confidentiality reasons. Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibility to uphold confidentiality, and are professional and know how to deal with and share information which they are given in confidence for child protection purposes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive information on what to do if they have a complaint about the care they receive in the home. Young people have a clear understanding of the procedures staff follow, and the information provides them with external links should they wish to raise concerns without telling staff. Complaint records show there have been no complaints or concerns raised by young people or the local community about the home for some considerable time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safeguarded from abuse as the home has clear policies and procedures in place and staff have an excellent understanding of their role and responsibilities in safeguarding young people. Routine and refresher training is available and staff are up to date with current legislation. Staff have the necessary policies and guidance available to them from services charged with keeping young people safe. Bullying at the home is not an issue and staff know how to recognise, respond and deal with situations arising from bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people abscond staff know what to do and follow agreed procedures. Staff respond appropriately and clear records demonstrate the action taken, by staff, to ensure young people return to the home safely. The manager monitors episodes of absconding and when concerns arise detailed risk assessments are put in place. Professional agencies are consulted, to discuss clear strategies for the safe return of young people. All significant events in respect of young people are notified to the appropriate authorities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour through constructive and proportionate responses by staff. All staff are trained in behaviour management techniques, including the safe use of restraint. There have been no restraints used which demonstrate the positive relationships between young people and staff. Sanctions imposed for unacceptable behaviour are fair and completed records show young people's agreement. Good incentives and a reward system is in place for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people, staff and visitors are protected by the procedures staff follow for fire safety. Staff inform all visitors to the home of escape routes and the fire assembly point, in the event of a fire. Regular testing and evacuations involving young people are carried out and records demonstrate this. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place which estimate the level of risk to health and safety of any identified likely hazards within the home. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC008607 There have been no staff changes and current staff files have been inspected previously and meet with regulatory requirements. This ensures the staff who continue to work with young people are safe to do so.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people receive a very good service of provision to support their identified individual needs. Staff demonstrate their high level of awareness in relation to the needs of young people, their routines, present and future plans. Individual outcomes are identified and plans show how these are to be achieved, within set timescales. These arrangements ensure young people make good progress in all areas identified. Young people receive support from outside the home, from independent people, and have access to specialist services to provide them with guidance on specific and personal issues when needed or requested.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are provided with a high level of support from staff who are fully committed and encourage them to achieve in education, training opportunities and the workplace. Staff expressively reinforce young people when they make a positive effort and do well, and celebrate their achievement. Young people's options are enhanced by the efforts staff make to ensure work and college placements are effective and benefit young people. Staff liaise well with employers and tutors to maintain young people's placements and prevent them from breaking down.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people's needs are thoroughly assessed, planned for and monitored effectively by the manager and staff. Written information within placement plans is excellent, up to date, informative and clear and timescales are evident and precise to meet achievable outcomes. Assessment is made in relation to any issues or support needed arising from disability, ethnicity, race, gender, faith or belief and demonstrate that young people receive consistently high levels of external support. Statutory reviews are held within timescales and involve young people wherever possible in decision making in relation to their present and future needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent consultation takes place with young people in a variety of ways, both informally and formally. This occurs during daily conversations, young people's meetings, key worker sessions and being consulted prior, during and after their review.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's arrangements in relation to contact are good and clearly outlined in their placement plans. There have been no new admissions to the home, policies are in place which ensure new admissions are planned for, thoroughly assessed to consider any likely impact on others and ensure young people receive support to prepare them for leaving the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive good care and support from staff to enable them to develop independent living skills. Pathway plans and leaving care workers are in place and provide young people with additional support. Young people have beneficial information in all areas of independent living provided to them by the home and this is used as a reference point to identify external agencies for support. Young people undertake practical tasks, daily, for example, they receive 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC008607 a weekly allowance and learn to budget, plan, shop, prepare and cook their own meals. Careful consideration is given to give young people at appropriate intervals, time on their own in the home, to experience independent living. Future placements are visited by young people with staff and discussions take place to seek young people's views about the suitability of a placement.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in domestic style, homely accommodation which is adequately decorated, and furnished to a good standard. It is consistent with the purpose and function of the home, and is maintained in good order throughout. Young people have the opportunity to personalise their bedrooms. Independent contractors have been approached and a price agreed to have the home decorated throughout. This will improve the internal appearance of the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Young people, their family and placing authorities receive good accurate information about the services the home provides. The statement of purpose document includes a summary of the home's key policies and practices, and the qualifications and experiences of the staff team and manager. Young people are provided with a welcome booklet and this provides them with useful information in relation to the home.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The quality and detail of placement plans demonstrates individually good care packages based on the ever changing needs of young people. All staff have excellent knowledge of the young people they are working with, and where knowledge is lacking, expertise is called upon from other resources. Young people are looked after by a team that has a good balance of age and gender, and are made aware of the celebrations and festivities of their own and other communities. Good sources of information are available to staff and young people and posters representing equality and diversity are displayed throughout the home. Weekly worksheets in respect of equality and diversity have been introduced, although these have not been completed.

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Organisation

Young people are provided with continuity and consistency from a competent trained staff team. All staff are qualified and are senior residential care workers, with supervisory experience, and are suitable to cover the managers absence. The home is staffed to a minimum level, taking into consideration young people are preparing for independent living. However, risk assessments are not in place for lone working to demonstrate that there is no unacceptable level of risk from such an arrangement. The Registered Manager is qualified and has the necessary funding to operate the home.

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Organisation

There is regular monitoring of the systems within the home, by the manager, which are undertaken to examine and maintain the overall good care and welfare of young people. Trainee managers within the organisation carryout unannounced visits each month and report any findings requiring action.

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Organisation

Young people's case files and other written records in relation to young people is of a high standard. This assists good communication with other professionals and provides young people with an accurate account of their time spent in the home. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC008607

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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 a written risk assessment is in place which covers any likely risk where only one member of staff is on duty (NMS 30.5). 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC008607

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