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

SC008607 Unique reference number 11 November 2009 Inspection date Mark Kersh Inspector Random Type of 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: 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 currently live in this home of which one was present during the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress the home has made with the recommendation from the previous full inspection, this related to lone working. In addition, the key standards linked to the outcome area of staying safe were inspected. Due to the limitations of this inspection, the overall quality rating of good, made at the last full inspection remains the same, with the staying safe outcome continuing to maintain a high standard.

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Summary

There were no concerns identified during this inspection, therefore no actions or recommendations have been made. Young people continue to be protected and safeguarded by staff who have an excellent understanding of the policies and procedures to follow to keep young people safe. 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

Following the previous inspection the Registered Manager was asked to implement a detailed written risk assessment for lone working. Staff are confident in working alone with young people and know the strategies to deploy in any event where they feel they need assistance. These risks and strategies are covered within the lone working risk assessment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people's right to privacy and confidentiality is maintained through effective policies and procedures followed by staff. Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibility to uphold confidentiality, and are professional and they demonstrate well, how to deal with and share information, which they are given in confidence, for child protection purposes. All confidential information in respect of young people and staff is stored securely. Young people have individual bedrooms and access to a telephone in the home that can be used without reference to staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are made aware of the home's complaints procedure and have details of individuals and agencies they can contact if they are unhappy about any aspect of their care at the home. This includes contact names and telephone numbers of persons and agencies independent of 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008607 the home. There have been no complaints made by young people or the surrounding community about this home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take all reasonable steps to keep young people safe from harm and know how to respond in the event of an allegation or serious concern about a young person's wellbeing. Safeguarding training provide staff with the necessary knowledge and skills of how to recognise, respond and report any suspicion of abuse. This protects the welfare of young people. Staff have a good understanding in relation to countering bullying and confirm there is no bullying in the home. Missing from home procedures are known by staff who implement these as necessary. A detailed record is maintained of instances when young people are absent from the home without authority. All significant events in respect of young people are notified by staff, 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, for some considerable time, which demonstrates the positive relationships between young people and staff. All staff encourage young people to behave in a positive manner through praise, incentives and rewards, which are part of everyday practice. Sanctions imposed for inappropriate behaviour are fair and agreed by young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good arrangements in place for the health and safety of young people, staff and visitors. 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, including those held at night time, 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. The risk assessments include strategies for lone working.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been staff changes following the previous inspection, however, these staff are from another home within the organisation and are already checked for their suitability to work with young people. There have been no new staff employed at the home. 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. An audit of the organisation's recruitment practices was undertaken in May 2009, any shortfalls identified are being addressed by the provider.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 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

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008607

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