Children's Home run by Kingston upon Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

SC034746 Unique reference number 8 October 2009 Inspection date Lynne Busby Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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5 February 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 9 Inspection Report: SC034746

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and run by a local authority. It was originally a large family home, which has been converted into a children's home. The home is registered to look after a maximum of five children, of either sex, between the ages of 12 and 17 years old.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large three-storey building with an enclosed rear garden. Downstairs there is a communal lounge, a games room/second lounge, a computer room, telephone room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and office. Upstairs there are six single bedrooms, two bathrooms and two staff sleep-in rooms. There is a small self-contained flat on the first floor, used for meetings and training.

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Brief description of the service

There are health services and local shops nearby, with easy access to bus services. There is a parking area to the front and side and additional on-street parking.

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Summary

This was an unannounced key inspection to check key standards and related regulations under the Every Child Matters outcome groups for children and young people. This is a satisfactory service with some good outcomes in being healthy, positive contribution and economic wellbeing, enjoying and achieving is outstanding. The young people accommodated have very complex needs and staff try to promote healthy eating and encourage them to attend health appointments. Education needs are well met and staff have worked hard to ensure young people attend school regularly. This is particularly good where young people had been out of school for long periods before entering the home. The staff promote independence so young people develop life skills for when they move on.

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Summary

The shortfalls at this inspection include Ofsted have not always been notified of police involvement in the home; there have been some occasions when young people were not allowed breakfast, it is accepted that this is not done to deprive young people of food but to manage behaviours, but does deny food; not all ancillary staff have had child protection training, therefore this does not give them the knowledge and skills to fully safeguard young people; sanctions records do not give young people an opportunity to sign and give their comments on the punishments given; there are some risk assessments in place but there are no risk assessments for some aspects of the building and grounds and the locking of internal doors; there are no pathway plans in place for those young people who are eligible; following a review the care plan had been changed were appropriate but these were not always available on the

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Summary

young persons file; young people's records did not indicate if they had seen their social worker or independent person to discuss the reasons they had gone missing. This does not provide a fully robust system. 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

The registered manager was asked to record fire evacuation drills. These take place monthly and area appropriately recorded. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people can contribute to the menu planning and their likes and dislikes are taken into account. The meals are nutritious and include fresh vegetables and fruit is always available. The young people accommodated have complex needs and staff try and encourage them to make healthy choices. Any special dietary needs are catered for and this includes religious and cultural requirements. Young people are given opportunities to take part in physical and sports activities to help them keep fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health needs are identified and assessed. Staff use this information to help ensure young people receive good health care that meets their individual needs. This includes identifying specific issues which may have long term effects on young people. Necessary support services such as drugs and alcohol, sexual health and children and adolescent mental health services are made available to young people. Unfortunately some of the young people will not engage with these services but staff continue to find alternative professionals who can support them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff are trained in first aid in the event of any accidents and there are clear procedures for administration and storage of medications. This is followed in practice and the system is accountable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The young people's privacy is respected and staff knock on doors before entering young people's bedrooms. Room searches are rarely completed and are searched only in accordance with the procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are able to talk about their concerns and complaints about the home. Information on how to make a complaint is included in the children's guide and forms are available for young people to complete and can be sent to the complaints officer. There has been one complaint from a young person and two from neighbours all have been resolved. Young people can easily access the complaints officer but not all young people feel listened to by all staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The Local Children's Safeguarding Board procedures are accessible to staff and most staff have had child protection training with the exception of some ancillary staff. This does not provide information on signs of abuse and how to deal with disclosures to all staff. Staff are aware of the whistleblowing policy, which provides guidance for reporting concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are individual behaviour profiles for young people and strategies are identified as to how to deal with challenging behaviours. In addition, a professional from Child and Adolescent Mental Health service gives guidance to staff on how best to manage behaviours. Restraint is only used as a last resort and all staff are trained in care and control techniques. Sanctions are recorded, however, young people are not given an opportunity to sign and give their comments on the log. Incentives are used to promote attendance at school. The home has structure to the day and mealtimes are set, however, sometimes this causes difficulties for some young people when they are denied breakfast because they are up late or did not want it at the times available. Therefore, this has a negative impact on their behaviour and is an unreasonable use of discipline. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746 There is a policy in place on bullying, but there is no risk assessment that identifies to staff the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

times, places and circumstances, where bullying may be greatest. Young people said that bullying does not occur. Staff are vigilant and will not tolerate bullying, it is regularly discussed in young people's meetings, which is good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people sometimes go missing and staff promptly respond to this, in accordance with written guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are reported missing without authority and this is recorded in the daily log book and on the computer system. However there is no record of when a young person returns and if they have been asked if they wish to see their social worker or person independent of the home. There is an outside agency who will see young people that have been missing however records do not reflect this practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff usually ensure that notifications are forwarded to Ofsted, however there have been two incidents when the police have been involved and Ofsted have not been notified. This does not provide a fully accountable system.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The physical environment of the home is safe and maintenance certificates are up to date. However, there are risk assessments for fire, activities and for some of the building but not for the grounds of the home. There are also times when the internal doors are locked to safeguard the young people but there are no risk assessments on this practice. This does not fully identify the risks to the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a recruitment and selection policy, which is clearly written and takes in most aspects to be considered and the recruitment process is robust. All recruitment is held at the head office of the local authority. The home includes young people in the interview process so their views on applicants are taken into account. All visitors are appropriately checked when entering the building.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive individual support when they need it. A key worker system is in place and young people have the opportunity to have one-to-one time with their key worker. Staff are aware of possible needs including cultural and religious needs. Staff work well to further their understanding of young people's needs and ensure that young people have access to external support services. For example, drug and alcohol advisory services and sexual health services.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff promote education whether at mainstream schools, colleges or alternative settings. Staff have developed excellent links with schools and education providers and they are very good at giving young people practical and emotional support to do well. There are clear plans outlining educational need and staff are clear about individual learning needs. Young people have in some cases not attended education for long periods of time before being accommodated in the home. They are now regular attenders and with excellent achievements which have been celebrated by the home. This is to be commended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746 There are placement plans in place for the young people, which are updated after a review. However, these are completed by the social worker and held on the computer system which at the present time the staff cannot access. Therefore, not all care plans are available to staff. This does not provide staff with the up to date information required to meet the young persons needs on a day to day basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's care is reviewed through statutory reviews, which are held within timescales. Young people and staff confirm that they contribute to reviews and that their opinions are sought. The staff are aware of the contact arrangements and of any restrictions which may be in place. Friendships external to the home are encouraged and young people's friends are welcome to visit the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home provides care for young people requiring permanence so many of the placements are planned. The manager is fully involved in the process and the records show that the young person's needs and the needs of the existing group are taken into consideration. When young people move on into independence they are supported by staff which is good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The young people can influence how the home is run and make decisions about their daily lives, through key worker sessions, reviews and meetings. However, staff try hard to ensure the young people take up these opportunities, although this is not always successful. There is planned holiday for all young people in order to try and give them other opportunities to develop their skills and confidence. The social workers and parents views of the service are sought to assist future development of the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The young people are given support by the staff to gain skills to help them with independent living when they move from the home. This includes cooking, shopping and budgeting. There has been some difficulties in getting a pathway plan implemented, although staff have requested these. The lack of this information does not fully support young people in the transition to adulthood. The home has a small flat that young people can use after they are 16 and staff offer support with budgeting, cooking, shopping and laundry.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is a large house which has been converted to a children's home. The home is presently being redecorated throughout and young people have had an opportunity to chose their own colour schemes for their bedrooms. There are also plans for the home to be refurnished throughout. There is a large lounge, dining room, kitchen and a computer and separate games room which includes a snooker table. There is a separate telephone room which offers privacy to the young people.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. There is a clear statement of purpose which informs people of the services they can expect to receive. There is a children's guide which is given to young people when they are accommodated at the home. This gives information about living in the home and helpful contact numbers such as Ofsted. There are policies and procedures accessible for staff. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746 There is a competent experienced manager and staff group. The staffing levels are adequate to support young people with their care, activities, visits and appointments. Staff on duty are usually supported by senior staff, in the absence of a senior a staff member is nominated as shift leader and there is an on call system to offer support and guidance. Staff receive an induction into the home which promotes safe practice. Staff are offered a range of training to give them the skills and knowledge to meet young people's needs. Staff have completed National

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Organisation

Vocational Qualifications level 3 in Caring for Young People or are working towards it.

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Organisation

There is a quality assurance system in place which includes monthly monitoring visits by a senior manager and an internal monitoring system conducted by the manager to identify any shortfalls. There is a written development plan.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. All young people are provided with opportunities that promote their development and meet their individual needs. The staff have training in equality and diversity and put it into practice. There are staff who take the lead who attend regular meetings to share good practice.

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Organisation

Young people's files contain most relevant information about their progress with the exception of copies of health care plans, these files are securely maintained in a lockable room and are confidential.

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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

27 November 2009 ensure that measure of control of young people do not include denying food such as breakfast (Regulation 17(5)(b)) 27 November 2009 ensure Ofsted is informed of significant events identified in Schedule 5 (Regulation 30).

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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 all staff including ancillary have child protection training (NMS17) • ensure the record of sanctions give young people an opportunity to give their views and sign it (NMS 22.14) • ensure that risk assessments are in place for the building and grounds and for specific areas such as the need to lock internal doors for safety and include all aspects of behaviour (NMS 22.) • ensure on return to the home, the young people have been offered if possible, an opportunity to see their social worker or person independent of the home, if this is not possible the reasons are recorded and agreed with the social worker (NMS 19.4) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746 • ensure that the reviews of placement plans are recorded on the young person's file and accessible (NMS 3.4) • ensure young people who are eligible have a plan which specifies the support and assistance

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Recommendations

they will need to receive, to enable a successful transition to adulthood such as a pathway plan. (NMS 6.1) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC034746

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