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

SC034746 Unique reference number 25 February 2010 Inspection date Lynne Busby Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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8 October 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 6 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, interim inspection. It assessed the key national minimum standards (NMS) associated with how young people are enabled to stay safe. The inspection also assessed whether the registered persons had met recommendations made at the last inspection. As this was an interim inspection, it did not assess all of the key NMS. Consequently there was not enough evidence to assess or amend the overall outcome judgement made at the previous inspection.

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Summary

The young people are well supported and said they feel listened to by the staff. Young people said that 'this is an alright place to live'. Areas for further improvement are identified in the outcome areas. 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 provider was asked to review sanctions in relation to meals. This has been discussed by staff and the intention was not to deny young people food. This has highlighted how information is recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recording systems have been changed and young peoples' views are recorded following a sanction. When young people go missing without authority they are offered an opportunity to see their social worker or person independent of the home when they return. This gives an opportunity to discuss the reasons why they went missing. Placement plans are now updated. Notifications on serious incidents such as calling the police are now forwarded to Ofsted within the required timescales.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people who are eligible have a pathway plan which specifies support and assistance they will receive to move to adulthood. This is now completed and young people who are looked after are given priority.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The risk assessments for building and grounds and the locking of internal doors have been completed but were not available for inspection so this remains a recommendation. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034746

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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 always knock on bedroom doors before entering. Young people have access to a telephone to make private calls. Staff sometimes search young people's rooms when they have concerns regarding the welfare of the young people. These are documented and staff follow the homes procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The arrangements for complaints, child protection and missing without authority are safely managed with clear policies and procedures in place. The young people are clear about how to make a complaint and have opportunities to discuss concerns. The young people said they feel listened to by the staff most of the time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have undertaken training in child protection and this is being updated for all staff including ancillary staff. The Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are accessible to staff. The staff undertake work with the young people on risk taking behaviour to alert them to dangers they may put themselves and others in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people said 'there has been some bullying but this does not happen now but we do argue and play fight'. The staff deal with any issues that may arise and the homes ethos is that bullying is not tolerated. There are appropriate procedures which are followed in practice when young people go missing. The staff work closely with the police to ensure young people are located.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have training in care and control which includes methods of restraint, however this is rarely used which is good practice. Young people said that the sanctions are fair and that incentives are in place which helps them improve their behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides a safe environment for young people to live in. All maintenance is up to date and fire drills are regularly held. Risk assessments for the locking of internal doors, building and grounds had been updated but were not available at the inspection. This does not make the risk assessment records available to staff so they can be aware of any potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The recruitment and selection process was inspected previously and is robust and protects young people from harm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There is a care plan that is prepared by the local authority and regularly updated. However, there is no placement plan which outlines the objectives of the placement and how these will be met on a day to day basis by the staff. The young people all have a link worker that provides individual guidance and support for them. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034746

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home has a good independence package which they have devised to support young people who are moving towards transition. Those young people who are 16 are assessed by young people's support service but not until they are 16 and a half. The local authority have an agreement that looked after young people are given priority. The staff encourage all young people to develop skills for independence.

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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

26 March 2010 ensure that there is a placement plan that sets out the assessed needs of the child, the objectives of the placement and how these are to be met by the registered person on a day to day basis (Regulation 12(1)(a).

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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 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). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034746

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