Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

SC051947 Unique reference number 3 March 2010 Inspection date Sonya Robinson 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: SC051947

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Brief description of the service

Since the previous inspection the home has varied their registration. The home is now registered to provide care for one young person and their baby.

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Brief description of the service

It is a semi-detached house. The house provides accommodation over two floors, with three bedrooms, one of which is being used as an office. There is also a bathroom on the first floor. Downstairs there are two lounges, one of which has a dining area within it and there is a separate kitchen.

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Brief description of the service

The house is close to local shops, transport links and community resources.

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Summary

This visit was an interim inspection and was unannounced. One outcome area for young people was fully looked at during this inspection, which was staying safe. Further issues were also looked at under being healthy and economic wellbeing as a follow-up from the previous inspection. This inspection looked at the progress that the home has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to documentation for medication and general household maintenance.

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Summary

The home continues to be a good service that meets most of the national minimum standards. Young people enjoy living there and feel cared for. Young people are looked after by a group of competent and skilled people. The staff place emphasis on young people's needs and supporting young people with their daily lives. 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

No actions were made at the last inspection. The Registered Manager was asked, in order to raise standards and improve practice, to ensure that each child has appropriate information regarding the management of medicines, such as the recording of controlled drugs in an appropriate way. The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure that the interior of the home is maintained and that the garden is well maintained and safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the procedure for the administration of medication, including controlled drugs has been reviewed and this now meets the minimum standards in this area.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The laminate flooring on the ground floor has continued to deteriorate and so this has been raised again in this report for action. The back garden was overgrown at the time of the last inspection. This is no longer the case, but multiple fence panels are now stored in the garden and so it is recommended in this report that the service rectify this situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. A medication procedure is in place to ensure the safe administration of medications at the home. Information sheets are held about the medications young people need, informing staff 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051947 of any possible side effects that they may cause. Staff keep detailed records of any medicines stored in the home and the administration of medicines to young people and their baby. This ensures that the health care needs of young people and their baby is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff respect young people's privacy and confidentiality consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people and their baby. Young people make and receive telephone calls in private and are given space and time to be alone when they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home makes sure that young people have access to information about their rights and how to deal with their concerns through the complaints procedure. Young people know how to make a complaint if they are unhappy.

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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. They are trained in safeguarding young people including recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, the child protection policy does not take into account that the home is now a mother and baby unit. They provide a good level of supervision for young people based on their age to make sure they are safe in the home and in the community. Also, they give young people good advice about personal safety. Bullying is not a specific issue for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home actively takes steps to make sure that young people missing from home are protected. 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.

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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 and physical intervention show that they have not been used with regards to the young people currently placed. The home places great 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.

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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. Staff do not condone unacceptable behaviour and assist young people to learn to manage their behaviour and solve problems.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe and secure environment. The vetting of visitors and people wishing to work at the home is thorough to make sure young people are protected. In addition, staff carry out regular health and safety checks including fire safety systems to make sure that the home is a safe place to live.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051947

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people live in homely and comfortable accommodation. The home is decorated, furnished and maintained to a good standard. Young people have personalised their bedrooms and have enough personal space to meet their needs. However, there are multiple fence panels being stored together in the garden which have been waiting to be erected for quite some time now. Also, the laminate flooring on the ground floor has become loose and is unstable in parts. These could be potentially hazardous for all those within 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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Due date Action Standard

30 April 2010 ensure that all parts of the home used by children are suitability furnished and equipped, for example with appropriate floor coverings. (Regulation 31.2(c))

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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 the garden is well maintained and safe (NMS 24.3) • ensure that systems in place are reviewed and up- to- date to promote the safety and welfare of children, to ensure that they are protected from abuse and that these are known by all staff. (NMS 17.1) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051947

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