Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

SC367802 Unique reference number 22 June 2009 Inspection date Sarah Urding Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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13 January 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: SC367802

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Brief description of the service

The home offers care for children and young people aged between five and 17 years with physical and/or learning disabilities. The home forms part of the children's disability service and provides care for children that have been assessed as requiring this service.

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Brief description of the service

The bungalow is a purpose built facility, situated close to a town and provides accommodation for two children of either gender receiving shared or long term care. Bedrooms are single occupancy and there is a wet room with shower, toilet and electronic changing bed. Bathrooms and bedrooms have hoist equipment installed. Other facilities include a lounge with dining area, a fully fitted kitchen which is domestic in style and a conservatory.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated within the community and close to shops, restaurants, sports facilities and other recreational areas. The home has shared use of a minibus.

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Brief description of the service

The home is complemented by a secure, garden with play equipment.

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Summary

This was an unannounced full inspection. All key standards were inspected along with an assessment of progress made since the last inspection in January. The home is providing outstanding outcomes for children and young people. Young people's good health is promoted because staff receive specialist training and are proactive in meeting a range of complex medical conditions. Very positive working relationships with social care, health professionals and parents ensure that children thrive. There are effective systems in place for promoting safe working practice. Young people enjoy their time in the home, learn well and can make positive contributions because staff understand them, actively listen and promote their involvement in all that they do. There are effective management structures in place to ensure that the quality of care improves from within. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Managers and staff have demonstrated a strong commitment to meeting the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. The service provided to children has improved owing to the strength in management structure and accountable practice of the staff. There are now clearer risk assessments in place to inform staff how to manage risky behaviours safely. Staff manage challenging behaviours consistently well. Staff are well informed about the home's development plan which provides a focus for service delivery and young people are clear about what to expect because their guide to the home has been updated. The quality of care is now being monitored and reviewed in line with a clear plan which contributes to self improvement. Staff are trained to meet the specific needs of children well but they do not yet meet the standard relating to National Vocational Qualification(NVQ) level 3 training. The frequency of

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Improvements since the last inspection

staff meetings has increased but these are not consistently taking place on a monthly basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC367802 A range of complex health conditions are being proactively met by staff. Staff have a multi-agency approach and work seamlessly to ensure that changing medical needs are promptly addressed in partnership with parents. Staff support families well to meet the needs of their children and ensure consistency between home and school. Staff are well trained to manage presenting medical needs because a thorough assessment is undertaken prior to admission and clear health care plans inform staff well how to meet needs. The local authority provides appropriate training to staff so that all health needs can be promptly met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The medication system is very safe and accountable. Two staff always administer medication which increases accountability and reduces the likelihood of human error. Very good information is available to staff about the affects of medication on children's behaviour and staff apply this knowledge to increase their understanding of the children. The appropriate consents are in place to inform the outstanding practice in this area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well met. Staff make the link between diet, good health and exercise which ensures that children lead healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people live in a safe well managed environment. The arrangements for complaints, child protection and behaviour management are safely managed. Staff are clear about safeguarding and understand the complexities of working with vulnerable children. This promotes young people's safety. Clear behaviour management plans are in place that inform staff well how to safeguard against a range of risky behaviour. The incidence of restraint and sanctions are extremely low because staff are well trained in this regard and know the children they care for well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The relationship between staff and children is one of mutual respect and staff value and promote the privacy and dignity of children they care for. Staff are clear about the procedures relating to unauthorised absence and bullying which is also low because of effective staff supervision and clear risk management strategies. Staff view the children as individuals and their practice includes them in all that they do. This promotes an environment whereby children are able to raise concerns or complaints. An independent visitor sees the children regularly and reports on the practice of staff in relation to advocacy. This practice is outstanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff and children live in a safe environment because all of the relevant health and safety checks are carried out in a timely manner. The arrangements for the safe management of fire are equally robust. The safe recruitment of staff and management of visitors to the home means that the risk of young people being exposed to unsafe people are reduced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are individually supported in line with their care plans and individual need. Staff are led by the children and their parents in relation to meeting communication needs. Staff ensure that young people play an integral part in defining their own needs and this ensures that practice is wholly child centred. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC367802 Young people's education needs are met in a similar vein. There is clear information to staff about how learning can be promoted beyond the school day. Staff are particularly good at ensuring that there is continuity between the home setting and school. Parents are fully involved and staff are aware of the importance of ensuring consistency within all settings. Staff regularly provide support and information to families as a whole because they know that this is beneficial to young people. There are clear plans in place to inform staff how to meet young people's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

changing needs. Plans within the home are consistent with those within an education setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Staff ensure that children and young people are empowered to make decisions about their lives in every sense. Information is available to young people in appropriate formats and staff work directly with them about a range of issues in line with their individual needs. Very clear placement plans are in place and reviewed regularly. These keep staff well informed about routines, behaviours, dietary requirements, and input required to ensure that children and young people thrive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff are strong advocates and independent visitors contribute to effective consultation and participation. This is also extended to children's families as staff appreciate the value of holistic care and consistent messages in all settings. Practice in this area is outstanding and ensures that young people have a voice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents speak highly about the support their children receive from staff and the input that makes a difference to their children. They value the service provided by staff and are kept very well informed. There is a true partnership between parents and carers and contact is well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The admissions process is well managed and there are clear processes in place to ensure that staff are able to meet the needs of all children accommodated. This reduces the risk of placement breakdown and ensures that children develop consistently well during their time in the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. There are clear and timely transition plans in place for young people. Staff consistently encourage children and young people to learn how to do things for themselves. For example, feeding, washing, dressing and household tasks. Young people are developing well because staff work effectively with them and their families to clearly defined individual programmes. This is excellent practice. Practice is inclusive and child led. Staff place emphasis on enabling children and young people to make choices which enhances self esteem and further promotes their learning.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is well furnished and decorated to a high standard. There is plenty of space for young people to undertake different activities and the environment is adapted well to meet their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children and young people are provided with a service tailored to their individual needs. The management of the service is effective because staff are well trained, share one vision and 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC367802 communicate well. Staff show expertise in their care of children and young people because of the specialised training and input they receive. The home is well staffed and there are strong support systems in place to ensure that senior guidance is available at all times. Staff receive supervision monthly but are not always directly supervised by senior staff on shift. This has not affected outcomes in this instance because of the very good oversight of managers and meetings structure in place. Levels of accountability have been enhanced and staff are clear about expectations and roles.

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Organisation

There is a clear statement of purpose in place and staff effectively support young people and their families. This holistic approach promotes child development. Young people are clear about what to expect when they stay in the home because there is information in formats they can understand.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding in all outcomes. Staff share a strong commitment to promoting life chances and equal opportunities for all. Young people thrive because staff understand and meet individual needs consistently well. Staff are proactive in securing the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

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Organisation

Records are consistently well kept and contribute to a clear understanding of young people's lives. The quality of care is monitored and reviewed frequently by managers and independent visitors which further promotes the development of young people's health, safety, learning and participation.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure staff meetings take place monthly (NMS 28.10) • ensure 80% of staff are qualified to NVQ level 3 in The Caring for Children and Young People. (NMS 29.5) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC367802

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