Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

SC042652 Unique reference number 30 November 2009 Inspection date Nick Veysey Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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 8 Inspection Report: SC042652

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home looks after three young people from eight years to 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Brief description of the service

It is a semi-detached house close to the centre of the town. The location of the house enables young people to access facilities in the community easily. It is close to bus stops, a railway station, local schools, shops, youth groups, leisure centres, the beach and parks.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Three young people live at the home and one of them took part in the inspection.

p.4

Summary

This visit was an interim inspection and was unannounced. The inspection focused on the national minimum standards relating to young people's health, safeguarding, and the management of the home. Also, it looked at the progress the home has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection about young people's records.

p.4

Summary

At the last inspection the home was judged as a good service with some outstanding features. This continues to be the case. Young people live in a safe, caring and stable home environment. The home is very good at seeing young people as individuals and providing them with the right support and services to meet all their personal needs. Most young people have lived there for over a year and are making very good progress. Young people are taking responsibility for their health and are developing healthy lifestyles. They are more able to handle their anxieties and frustrations constructively and they are not getting involved in risky behaviour.

p.4

Summary

The home is well run and the manager provides effective leadership in promoting and safeguarding young people's welfare. Staff are competent people with a range of suitable skills and experiences to support vulnerable young people. They view young people positively and are committed to helping them develop their confidence and skills. The staff team is very settled and provides stability and continuity of care for young people. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The quality of the records written about young people's experiences has improved since the last inspection. The records now provide a clearer and more detailed picture of individual young people’s needs, development, progress, and the support they receive. Young people’s records are well-organised and contain up-to-date information about them, including the relevant documents from placing authorities. This ensures that young people, staff, and placing authorities have a comprehensive record of their day-to day lives and the advice, support and care they receive.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people enjoy healthy and nutritious meals from different cultures that meet their dietary needs. Their food choices are always taken into account and they confirm that they routinely 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC042652 help plan meals, go with staff to buy food and cook. Staff fully understand the importance of good nutrition and what makes up a balanced diet. They actively encourage young people to eat fruit and vegetables and develop healthy eating habits.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Young people's physical health and emotional well-being is actively promoted. Young people have easy access to community health services. For example, they are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician, and access specialist health services. They have comprehensive health plans that clearly show how their general and specific health needs are met. The plans clearly show where young people are able to take responsibility for their own health care, such as arranging routine appointments, and when they may want staff to go with them to appointments for support. Also, the plans include a clear assessment of young people’s level of competence in relation to making decisions about their own health needs. Staff routinely review the plans to make sure they are up to date and take into account any changes in young people's health. Staff closely monitor young people to make sure they are healthy by

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

encouraging them to attend routine health checks and by ensuring they get suitable medical advice and treatment when they are unwell.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Staff always encourage young people to take an active interest in looking after their health and leading healthy lives. The home places a strong emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles. Young people access information about a wide range of health and social issues, including sexual health and relationships, smoking, diet, exercise, alcohol, drugs, personal hygiene, steps to reduce risk of infection from illnesses and emotional well-being. Young people also have good advice and information about public health campaigns, such as immunisation to prevent the risk of cervical cancer and influenza. This enables them to make informed choices about their health and raises their awareness about important health and social issues.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home’s procedures for managing medication are put into practice effectively to ensure young people’s welfare is promoted and protected. Medication is securely stored and records of any medication taken by young people are up to date and accurately kept. Staff make sure that young people only have medication specifically prescribed for them and take it in line with the prescription instructions. Staff carry out rigorous risk assessments before young people are given responsibility for their own medication to ensure they can do this safely.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff respect young people’s privacy consistent with good parenting and the need to protect them. Young people have single bedrooms with their own keys. The accommodation provides space where young people can relax easily and spend time alone when they wish. Information about young people is managed confidentially. One of the filing cabinets is broken and is unable to be locked. Despite this confidential information remains securely stored.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to complain and are clear that their concerns will be taken seriously, and promptly and fairly addressed. They have access to information about their rights, the complaints procedure and advocacy services suitable to their ages and level of understanding. Staff encourage young people to let them know when they have concerns or if they are unhappy.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home gives protecting young people from harm a high priority. Staff understand about their roles and responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. The home has detailed and clear procedures and guidance for responding to concerns about young people's 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC042652 safety. Staff also have access to the local authority's child protection policy and guidance, and all have received suitable training.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures and put them in practice effectively when they have concerns about young people's safety. They work well with safeguarding agencies to protect young people by reporting concerns promptly and by liaising with the agencies to develop detailed safeguarding plans and practice. This involves, for example, providing young people with good advice about personal safety. There is good evidence to show that young people are less likely to engage in risky behaviour that previously compromised their safety.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people do not experience bullying and confirm that they get on well. The home has detailed risk assessments that identify potential problems and set out clear strategies for countering the risk of bullying. Staff work effectively with young people to enable them to deal with problems constructively and learn to respect other young people and adults.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is good at identifying patterns relating to young people coming in late and works well with young people and local agencies to address the problem. Staff encourage young people to come in on time. Detailed individual risk assessments and plans clearly set out what staff should do if young people are missing. The plans are consistently followed in practice. Staff try to contact young people by telephone; go out to look for them; pick them up; and let the relevant people know about their concerns including local authorities and the police.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home’s behaviour management policy and practice encourages young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour and challenge difficult behaviour constructively. Young people know what standards of behaviour are expected and the possible consequences of any poor behaviour. Staff view young people in a positive light and encourage acceptable behaviour by talking to them, to try to understand their behaviour and build relationships with them.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have detailed individual behaviour plans that identify specific concerning behaviour, for example, aggression and going missing, and set out a range of strategies for addressing the problems. Young people are involved in working out what helps them. Young people are always given opportunities to talk about what was upsetting them and reflect on their behaviour once the situation has settled down. This particular approach continues to be effective as a result there are very few incidents of aggressive behaviour.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Formal sanctions are used sparingly and mainly relate to encouraging young people to come in on time. The home keeps detailed records of all the measures of discipline used with young people. This means that the manager and provider have the information they need to review the records of sanctions and restraints to ensure that they are used appropriately in line with the home's procedures. Staff have received training in managing behaviour, including restraint, and this is up dated every year.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe environment. They are protected by a comprehensive range of detailed health and safety procedures and risk assessments. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks, including fire drills, in line with the regulations to ensure the premises are safe and secure. The home's thorough quality assurance systems ensure that the checks are carried out consistently and any problems are immediately addressed. However, the home did not have a copy of a valid insurance certificate available. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC042652

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is very well managed with effective and accountable leadership. The manager and staff show a strong commitment to promoting and safeguarding young people's welfare. They show a clear child-focused and inclusive approach to working with vulnerable young people. They value and respect young people as individuals, and ensure that they receive personalised support that meets the full range of their needs.

p.7

Organisation

Young people know what support they can expect from the home and how they will be looked after. The children's guide provides important information about the home in a way that is easily understood by young people. In addition, the home has a clear written statement for parents and social workers of how the home operates and plans to meet young people’s needs.

p.7

Organisation

Staff are well-supported by the manager and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They know who they contact for support should the manager not be available. They confirm that when they need support and guidance, the manager is always available and helpful and they receive one-to-one supervision regularly. In addition, team meetings take place every month to allow the whole staff team to discuss and review individual young people, the running of the home, staff development and training, and to look at ways to improve the service they offer.

p.7

Organisation

Young people are looked after by a very competent and stable staff team who have a wide range of skills and experience. The skills within the team match the needs of young people living in the home well. The staff team reflects cultural backgrounds of the young people living in the home. The numbers of staff on duty meets the needs of young people in the best possible way. This includes the support they need for activities, visits and appointments.

p.7

Organisation

Staff have good access to suitable training. The training programme comprehensively covers the needs of young people and provides staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively do their jobs. It is regularly reviewed, to check if there are any additional training needs. Staff confirm that the training helps them understand young people better and how to support them.

p.7

Organisation

The home has good systems in place to review the quality of care provided. The provider and manager consistently monitor the running of the home every month. They identify areas for improvement and steps are taken to address the issues. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC042652

p.7

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.

p.8

Due date Action Standard

31 December 2009 provide Ofsted with a certificate of insurance for of public and employee liability in respect of the home. (Regulation 36(3)(e))

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that there are suitable lockable filing cabinets available to store confidential information about young people. (NMS 9) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC042652

p.8