Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

SC035971 Unique reference number 2 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 7 Inspection Report: SC035971

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home provides short term breaks for children and young people from the ages of seven years to 17 years, with physical, learning and sensory disabilities.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over two floors. The ground floor includes a kitchen, two lounges, a light and sensory room, games room and dining room. Young people have their own rooms, which are located on the upper floor. The upper level of the home is accessible via a lift for those young people who use wheel chairs.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is situated near a local town and is close to local leisure facilities, local amenities and transport links.

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.

p.4

Summary

The inspection looked at the progress that the home has made with the action and recommendations made at the last inspection. These are listed in the improvement section of this report.

p.4

Summary

The home continues to be an satisfactory service overall. Records show that young people enjoy staying there and feel cared for.

p.4

Summary

The staff place an emphasis on young people's needs and supporting young people with their daily lives. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the manager was asked to improve the following areas.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline within the home, is written in a volume kept for that purpose. This has now been completed and the relevant documentation is in place.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure young people have an up-to-date health plan that fully identifies their physical and emotional health needs. This has commenced and staff are actively working on this.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that there is an up-to-date medication policy with written guidance, implemented in practice, for storing, disposing and administering medication. This has been completed and there is now a good document in place. However, there is a slight omission to this with regards to administering medication into food or drinks when this is assessed by the relevant medical professionals and with the agreement of parents, as being appropriate. This is raised as a good practice issue through this inspection. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC035971 To ensure all unnecessary risks to the health or safety of the environment and to individuals are identified and where possible eliminated. This referred to environmental and young people's risk assessments. These have been undertaken and there are systems in place to ensure these are reviewed.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To draw up for each child, an up-to-date behaviour management plan which reflects the strategies employed to encourage and support positive behaviours. This has now been completed on an individual basis looking at the needs of the young person placed.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that there is an up-to-date placement plan for each young person who stays at the home, that details sufficiently their assessed needs and describes how the home aims to meet them. These are now in place, parents and relevant authorities are also encouraged to sign these as a means of sharing information and ensuring the needs of the young person are being met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure the opinions and views of children on all matters affecting them, including day-to-day matters are ascertained on a regular and frequent basis, for example, through key worker sessions, young people's meetings and advocates. Some young people have been supported to set up a consultation group, the home is developing some links with an established voluntary agency and the home is looking at ways in which to record the work they undertake with young people on a one-to-one basis.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To provide a plan for each young person preparing to leave care, which specifies the support and assistance they need to make the transition into adulthood. They now have a plan in place for each child and are looking at what information to record and how best to obtain this due to the needs of their young people.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that the home is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment appropriate to the needs of the children accommodated. This issue related to some new fire doors which had been fitted and the painting of these along with the new plaster around the door frames. This has been completed. However, during a tour of the building it was noted that not all young people's bedrooms are of a good standard with regards to their flooring and window coverings as such the home is required to address this. Additionally, some communal areas would benefit from some attention and so it is recommended that the home look into this.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure physical restrictions on normal movement within the home, for example stair gates and high handles on doors are only used in relation to individual children to promote and safeguard their welfare. Physical restrictions must not impact on all children staying at the home. As a result of the previous inspection this area was risk assessed and the physical restrictions were removed. The home has looked at their deployment of staff in order to provide the necessary safeguards for the young people placed.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure all staff receive at least one and a half hours of one-to-one supervision from a senior member of staff each month. This is much improved, and records show that supervision has taken place monthly and that where there are gaps explanations are given as to why.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure that staff meetings occur at least monthly, and include discussion of both the home's work in caring for individual children and the management of the current child care group, 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC035971 together with the review of the home's practices. These have been reintroduced and have been maintained since the previous inspection.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Staff demonstrate a caring approach to ensure that young people feel valued and their privacy and dignity are maintained. This is achieved by records, such as placement plans and risk assessments which reflect the personal care afforded to each young person.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an accessible complaints procedure. Young people can access this and all complaints are given the highest regard and acted upon. Young people and their parents are involved in the development of care records, such as health plans, placement plans and risk assessments. Staff have a clear understanding of young people's communication methods. This is used to ascertain individual feelings with regard to how they wish to be supported, in ways which promote their welfare and keep them safe. Records explain how the home keeps young people safe in line with their assessed needs in areas such as safe moving and handling, bathing and medication. Some young people, with staff support, have set up a consultation group to discuss various issues relating to the home and the wider environment, such as activities and bullying. This is good practice and provides a forum to obtain some young people's views.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's procedures for promoting positive behaviours show a commitment to developing individual, specific and supportive strategies for dealing with behaviours, for example, it is noted that some young people use certain behaviours as methods of communication or where behaviours may be shown as a result of increased anxiety or frustration. Records demonstrate that staff have an understanding of young people's individual needs and are consistent in their approach. Staff support young people to address behaviours and enjoy positive relationships with others.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff working at the home are appropriately vetted and have attended a training programme which encompasses aspects of safeguarding young people with learning disabilities, including delivering and maintaining safe practices around social and medical support needs.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records are in place to show that the home is safe and effectively monitored and managed. This is to ensure that young people are afforded consistent care and support, in an environment that is assessed as safe and meets their needs. The home also has environmental and fire risk assessments and all necessary checks, such as gas and electric certificates, are in place. However, the fire risk assessment is in need of review.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC035971

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.7

Due date Action Standard

31 January 2010 maintain the premises to a good standard; in particular young people's bedrooms. (Regulation 31(2) and (8))

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • maintain adequate precautions to protect young people, staff and visitors against the risk of fire, such as reviewing the fire risk assessment on a regular basis (NMS 26) • ensure that there is an up to date medication policy with written guidance, implemented in practice, for administering all medication, including for example, when medication is administered into food or drinks (NMS 13) • ensure that that the interior of the home is maintained, for example, the landing area and access to the attic. (NMS 24) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC035971

p.7