Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

SC069293 Unique reference number 28 January 2010 Inspection date Shaun Common Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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4 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 6 Inspection Report: SC069293

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Brief description of the service

The children's home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people of either gender from 11 years to 17 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The house is a modern, detached property and has four bedrooms. There are two bedrooms designated for young people and one of these bedrooms has en-suite shower and toilet facilities. Of the two remaining bedrooms, staff that sleep-in use one and one has been turned into the staff office. There is a bathroom on the first floor, with a lounge, separate dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. The house has an enclosed garden at the rear and a small garden plot at the front. It is in a residential area of a small town. There is easy access to public transport, leisure and other facilities.

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Brief description of the service

One young person was living at the home and was present at the time of the inspection.

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Summary

This interim unannounced inspection assessed the progress of the home with the statutory requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection, which are detailed in the improvement section of the report and the relevant outcome area.

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Summary

The inspection assessed all key standards in the outcome area of staying safe and economic well-being. It also assessed a statutory requirement and recommendations from the last inspection in the outcome areas of being healthy and organisation. The inspection did not assess outcomes in the area of enjoying and achieving and positive contribution.

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Summary

The home has strength in positive behaviour management. Improvement is needed in ensuring all parts of the home are clean and maintained. Improvement is also needed in risk assessments and in ensuring child protection procedures are considered by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. 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

The registered persons were asked at the last inspection to make a number of improvements in the home. They were asked to ensure staff are trained in complaints and to provide evidence of all training. They were asked to ensure consent is secured for young people who may receive first aid and non-prescribed medications, and advice is gained regarding medication protocols. They were also asked to ensure search and absence records are fully completed and risk assessments are carried out for young people who self medicate. All these matters have been addressed. They help to keep young people safe and ensure staff are trained to provide the best possible care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC069293 The home attains written permission for young people to receive first aid or non-prescribed medications if required. This helps to ensure the risks of adverse reactions to any treatments are reduced.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home also has in place individual risk assessments for any young person who administers their own medications. This helps to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The young person is provided with privacy and information is stored securely in the home. The home has a method of recording when any young person's possessions are searched for welfare and safety reasons. There have been no entries since the last inspection. The young person has access to a telephone to keep in touch with people important to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a complaints procedure. Staff are trained in this procedure and suitable information is provided to the young person. The young person therefore has access to a system that promotes and protects their rights. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have access to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the home's own child protection procedures. They know and understand them, which helps them to keep young people safe. There is no evidence that the child protection procedure has been sent to the Local Safeguarding Children Board for consideration or comment. There have been no child protection referrals since the last inspection. The young person stated they feel safe and happy at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A countering bullying policy is in place, though young people accommodated are singly placed therefore bullying between young people is not currently an issue. An absence without authority procedure is also in place that is known and understood by staff. This helps them to keep young people safe. There have been no absences since the last inspection. The home has a record for the purpose of recording any such incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has in place behaviour management policies to support staff in delivering positive care. Staff have a very good relationship with the young person. The young person stated they get on well with staff. There have been no sanctions or restraints recorded since the last inspection. The manager stated this is due to the strong ethos the home has of working positively with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments of known and likely activities are carried out so staff know what to do to keep young people safe. Generic risk assessments of the home and its grounds are also undertaken and kept up to date. However, risk assessments do not contain likelihood or severity which means that appropriate control measures cannot be put in place. Other health and safety matters are managed well, such as maintenance and checks of electrical wiring, gas boiler, portable electrical appliances and fire equipment. Fire drills are carried out regularly and all staff and the young person have been involved so they know what to do to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has in place recruitment policies and procedures for employment of staff to ensure they are the right people to work with children. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC069293

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The young person is not yet of an age where formal pathway and leaving care planning is required by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides a satisfactory environment conducive to the care of young people. Most areas of the home are well decorated and furnished. However, the front and rear gardens are littered with cigarette ends, which detracts from the appearance of the property.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Staff at the home are trained in a range of areas. This assists them to deliver a good level of care to young people.

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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

5 February 2010 ensure all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and maintained. (Regulation 31)

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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): • submit the child protection procedures for consideration and comment to the Local Safeguarding Children Board; provide evidence where this has taken place (NMS 17) • revise risk assessments to include a measure of likelihood and severity when assessing the risks of hazards to young people. (NMS 26) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC069293

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