Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Oldham

SC066072 Unique reference number 27 January 2010 Inspection date Helen Walker Inspector Random Type of 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: SC066072

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Brief description of the service

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people of either gender, aged from 11 years old to 17 years old. The property is a detached house, situated in a rural area overlooking local towns.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor of the home the accommodation consists of a lounge, kitchen, dining room, utility room and education room. The education room is registered with Ofsted as an independent school. On the first floor are young people's bedrooms and bathroom. Staff bedrooms are also on this floor with one used as the staff office.

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Brief description of the service

Externally to the front of the house is a tarmac area for car parking. Beyond this is a grassed garden. To the side of the house is a garden with a paved patio area. The rural location of this property means access to nearby towns is by car or public transport.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people live in the home. They were present and took part in the inspection process.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to follow up on actions and recommendations made at the last inspection and to assess key standards under the outcome area of staying safe. The inspection was aligned with education, in respect of the education facility on site, for which a separate report is available.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good level of care to young people. The actions and recommendations made at the last inspection are commented on in the improvement section of this report.

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Summary

Young people are looked after by staff who are enthusiastic and strive to improve the life chances and opportunities for the young people. Staff take all reasonable steps to keep young people safe from harm and know how to respond in the event of any allegation or serious concern about a young person's safety.

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Summary

Young people receive care from staff who are trained in management behaviour techniques. Staff encourage positive and socially acceptable behaviours. Effective systems in the home help to ensure risk is well managed and the environment is kept safe.

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Summary

One recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This refers to the home having a minimum of 80% of care staff with a relevant qualification. The provider supports staff with a programme of ongoing training to enable them to achieve the qualification. 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

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to ensure sanction records are accurately maintained and that staff meetings include discussion about the home's work. They were also asked to obtain relevant paperwork from placing authorities and for the manager to provide more effective management of the home. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066072 The provider has addressed the above matters so that all relevant details are now recorded and files accurately maintained. The manager now spends more time at the home to provide effective leadership and management of the home. This promotes the welfare of the young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation made in respect of staff qualifications has still to be achieved. However, the home has an ongoing programme of training in place, to enable staff to obtain the appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The procedures and practices at the home respect young people's privacy. For example, confidential information is stored appropriately and securely. Additionally, all young people have individual bedrooms and can choose to have a key to enable them to lock their bedroom door. In accordance with young people's care plans they have access to a telephone in the home which allows them to make calls in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are made fully aware of the home's complaints procedure and opportunities exist for them to raise and discuss any matter they are unhappy with. This includes one-to-one chats with staff, contact with advocacy services as well as education and health professionals. Young people are very happy about this system.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take all reasonable steps to keep young people safe from harm and know how to respond in the event of any allegation or serious concern about a young person's safety. Safeguarding training helps staff to protect and promote the welfare of young people. Staff have a very good understanding of the organisation's safeguarding procedure and of their own responsibilities in relation to reporting concerns. There is good evidence to show that safeguarding issues are well managed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures in the home support staff to take the appropriate action if a young person is missing from the home. Young people confirm there is no bullying and staff promote a strong anti-bullying environment. Additionally, teaching staff undertake work with young people to enable them to have a better understanding about this matter.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are positive in the way they manage young people's behaviour and include praise and reward for acceptable behaviour. Staff are trained in techniques to manage challenging behaviour and the use of physical intervention. Sanction records are monitored effectively by the manager. This helps to ensure any disciplinary measure is fair and appropriate. There is close working with teaching staff and psychologists on the best ways to manage behaviour so that young people have consistency in the way they are cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home environment is well-maintained and systems are in place to ensure appropriate health and safety checks are carried out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Since the last inspection, one new member of staff has been employed in the home. Thorough staff recruitment and employment checks have been carried out to ensure their suitability to work with young people. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066072

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Staff are enthusiastic and strive to improve the life chances and opportunities for the young people who live in this home. In order to help staff in their understanding of caring for the young people and to allow them to gain a suitable qualification, the company have an ongoing programme of training. This enables staff to obtain the NVQ award at level 3.

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Organisation

The manager now spends more of her working time at the home rather than on other duties for the company. This ensures better support is given to staff to assist them in their work. Also the manager has a more comprehensive overview of work and care practice in the home.

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Organisation

Staff meetings are much improved so that discussion takes place about the care practices in the home and the management of the current child group. This helps to ensure consistent and good care is provided to the young people.

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Organisation

Records relating to young people's individual history and progress are well ordered. The manager requests all the required documents from the young people's placing authorities so that full information contributes to the young people's care plans in the home. Although this information is not always readily available, the manager continues to insist this is provided.

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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 a minimum of 80% of care staff have the appropriate NVQ level 3 care award or equivalent qualification. (NMS 29.5) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066072

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