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

SC063550 Unique reference number 25 January 2010 Inspection date Sonya Robinson Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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30 September 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 7 Inspection Report: SC063550

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated within a residential development close to a town centre.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large detached property. They provide accommodation for up to six young people from the ages of 11 years to 17 years, with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over two floors. The ground floor includes a kitchen, two lounges, a dining room, a laundry room, toilet shower room and an office. Young people have their own rooms which are located on the upper floor.

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Brief description of the service

The home 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, positive contribution and organisation as a follow-up from the previous inspection. This inspection looked at the progress that the home has made with the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to documentation for young people and organisational issues.

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Summary

The home continues to be a satisfactory 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 satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the manager was asked to ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in the children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose. This has been completed. Further, they were asked to ensure all staff records contain all of the information required under the Regulations. Systems have improved, though a recommendation is made regarding staff files in order to add further safeguards to the home. The organisation was also required to submit a manager's application to Ofsted for processing. This application has been received.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager and organisation were also asked, in order to raise standards and improve practice, to ensure that there is an up to date medication policy with written guidance, implemented in practice, for the disposal of medication; to ensure all unnecessary risks to the healthy or safety of the environment and to individuals are identified and where possible eliminated, through the introduction of up to date risk assessments; to ensure that fire drills, including the evacuation of staff and children from the building, take place of a night within a twelve month period; to ensure that there is an up to date placement plan for each young person accommodated at the home, that details sufficiently their assessed needs and describes how the home aims to meet them and finally to ensure that the home's records are observed at least once a month, to 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC063550 identify any patterns or issues requiring attention and take action to improve or adjust provisions

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Improvements since the last inspection

where necessary. All of these issues have been addressed and completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The policy and procedure for the safe disposal of medication has been reviewed since the last inspection and staff have had an opportunity to reflect and discuss this. This means that the health care needs of young people are promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. 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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to complain. Their concerns are listened to, taken seriously and addressed by staff. They receive feedback about the outcome of their complaints. The home has a suitable complaints procedure that is easily accessible to young people, their parents and other relevant people. Staff are open to responding to concerns, including those made by local neighbours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has detailed and clear procedures and guidance for responding to concerns about young people's safety. Although staff have not attended refresher training with regards to safeguarding and child protection. This would be good practice to ensure staff remain up to date with current policies and guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the potential for bullying and provide supervision and encourage young people to deal with any difficulties constructively when necessary. Staff place an emphasis on encouraging young people not to go missing. 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 detailed individual risk assessments, this provides further safeguards for young people.

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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 are knowledgeable and understanding about young people's individual behaviours. The home has well-established links with helping agencies, and actively seeks advice and guidance in managing specific behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff use 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 used minimally, the emphasis is on rewarding positive 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. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC063550 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. There are systems in place for the vetting of visitors and people wishing to work at the home. However, information within the staff files is not fully robust. 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. However, the gas safety certificate has recently expired. This means there is a potential risk to health and safety of people within the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people have written placement plans identifying their needs and outlining the arrangements for meeting them. Staff put the plans into practice and keep detailed records about young people’s progress and experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home is well run and provides a safe and stable environment for young people. There is currently an application with Ofsted to register the manager for this service, which is the legal process for all children's homes.

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Organisation

The provider and manager regularly monitor the running of the home and the quality of care. They take action to improve the service provided and make sure that the home meets young people’s needs and promotes their welfare.

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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

31 March 2010 ensure all unnecessary risks to the healthy or safety of children are identified and where possible eliminated, for example gas safety checks being completed. (Regulation 23 (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): 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC063550 • ensure that all staff receive ongoing training in the prevention of abuse, recognition of abuse, dealing with disclosures or suspicions of abuse, and the home’s child protection procedures (NMS 17.8) • maintain adequate precautions to protect young people by ensuring that persons employed to the home continue to be suitable to work with children, for example updated criminal records checks and or disclaimers. (NMS 27.1) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC063550

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