Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Sefton

SC061924 Unique reference number 16 December 2009 Inspection date Sonya Robinson Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC061924

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for three young people between the ages of 12 years to 16 years.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over two floors, the ground floor includes a kitchen, lounge, dining room and conservatory. Young people have their own bedroom's which are located on the upper floor.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The house is set in a semi rural location but is close to local shops, there are transport links to and from a city centre and a nearby town. The service also has access to local community resources.

p.4

Brief description of the service

On the day of the visit, two young people were present and both spoke with the inspector, briefly.

p.4

Summary

This visit was an interim inspection and was unannounced. One outcome area for young people was looked at during this inspection, which was staying safe. The inspection looked at the progress that the home has made with the recommendations raised on the last inspection. These related to documentation for young people and how the service plans to develop.

p.4

Summary

The home continues to be a good service that meets most of the national minimum standards. Records show that young people enjoy staying there and feel cared for.

p.4

Summary

Young people are looked after by a strong group of competent and skilled people. The staff place an emphasis on young people's needs and helping young people deal with their problems. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

No actions were made at the previous inspection. The home was asked to consider two points as a matter of good practice. Firstly, to draw up for each child placed, an up to date behaviour management plan which reflects the strategies employed to encourage and support positive behaviours. This related to young people previously placed. However, it is raised again on this inspection because although there is improvement, its remains an issue for at least one young person placed.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Secondly, the service was asked to ensure that there is a development plan which is reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the home, or confirming the continuation of the home's current operation and resourcing. The owner of the home has undertaken this and a development plan has been introduced. This is also reviewed monthly, to assess how the home is achieving the targets that they have set out to achieve, in the forthcoming year.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061924

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people’s privacy is promoted. They have single bedrooms and their privacy and dignity are respected when washing. The accommodation provides space where young people can relax and spend time alone when they wish. Staff respect young people's privacy consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Confidential information is held securely in the office.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a suitable complaints procedure which is accessible to young people, their parents and other relevant people. Staff are open to responding to concerns.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff understand about their roles and responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. The home has detailed and clear procedures and guidance for responding to concerns about young people's safety. Staff also have access to the local authority's child protection policy and guidance and all have received suitable training. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures and put them in practice when they have concerns about young people's safety.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not currently an issue for young people. Staff are aware of the potential for bullying and provide supervision and encourage young people to discuss this within young people's meetings. Staff place an emphasis on encouraging young people not to go missing by providing young people with meaningful and enjoyable things to do. If young people go missing staff will try to find them and keep in touch by mobile telephone to encourage them to return and ensure they are safe. Staff are aware and do not exceed the measures they can take to prevent a child leaving without permission under current legislation and government guidance.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and staff are aware of young people's rights, legislation and guidance relating to freedom of movement and follow this in practice. The home has individual risk assessments regarding young people's known or likely activities, however these do not always hold the expected level of detail.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff build positive relationships with young people by explaining and showing young people what is socially acceptable behaviour. Staff see young people in a positive light and are committed to helping them when they are anxious or upset. Also, they are knowledgeable and understanding about young people's individual behaviours. The home has well-established links with helping agencies, and actively seek advice and guidance in managing specific behaviours.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff use effective communication skills to encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Records relating to sanctions show that they are fair and reasonable. Records relating to physical intervention show that it is not used in this service, though staff have training in this area. The home places emphasis on building positive relationships with young people and understanding young people’s behaviour. Young people have clear and consistent boundaries and know what is expected of them and what is unacceptable. However, behaviour management plans do not always fully detail this level of detail.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff praise young people when they do well and reward them. They also reassure young people when they are upset and help them deal with their anxieties and frustrations in a positive way. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061924 Staff do not condone unacceptable behaviour and assist young people to learn to manage their behaviour and solve problems.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe and secure environment. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks, including those of the fire safety systems, to make sure that the home is a safe place to live. However, fire drills have not noted whether they have taken place during the day or night and the minimum standard in this area would be that at least one fire drill takes place of a night within a twelve month period.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The vetting of visitors and people wishing to work at the home is thorough to make sure young people are protected.

p.6

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.

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • 'draw up for each child an up to date behaviour management plan which reflects the strategies employed to encourage and support positive behaviours (NMS 22) • ensure all unnecessary risks to the healthy or safety of children are identified and where possible eliminated, including known or likely activities, both permitted and illicit (NMS 26) • ensure that at least four fire drills, including the evacuation of staff and children from the building and fire drills held at night, take place within a 12 month period. (NMS 26) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061924

p.6