Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Barnsley

SC363630 Unique reference number 16 September 2009 Inspection date Debbie Foster Inspector Key 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 10 Inspection Report: SC363630

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Brief description of the service

This is a detached property, positioned in a residential area. This home's function is to care for young people, implementing consistent boundaries with them. This is to allow them to address their challenging behaviour and to resume age appropriate control and responsibility for their own lives.

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Brief description of the service

The home has a lounge, kitchen, dining room, two bathrooms with toilets and all bedrooms are single. The house is set in its own grounds with car parking and a separate building, where education can be provided.

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Brief description of the service

There is access to some local shops, public transport and the home has access to a vehicle.

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Summary

This was an unannounced full inspection integrated with an education inspection. The education inspector completed a separate report of their findings and this will also be published.

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Summary

The focus for the care inspection of young people is upon 25 key national minimum standards (NMS) under the Every Child Matters outcomes for children and young people.

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Summary

The two recommendations made on the last inspection in May 2009 have also been checked to see if they have been implemented.

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Summary

A young person took part in this inspection.

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Summary

The home provides a healthy lifestyle for young people through the promotion of healthy eating and good access to health care. Young people's safety is a priority in the home. Staff and young people are aware of how they should be kept safe and measures are in place to ensure this happens.

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Summary

There are some shortfalls in the links with other professionals to support young people and to assist them to make further progress in their lives. Some young people attend education at the school on site. This is provided to a satisfactory standard. However, statements of special educational need and personal education plans are not in place for young people, which identify their educational needs and targets to assist in the appropriate education being provided.

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Summary

Young people's needs are assessed and well documented within their care plans and supporting documents. However, some areas of need identified for young people are not being implemented as set out in their care plan. Therefore, there are some deficiencies in meeting all the needs of young people.

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Summary

The home provides a domestic environment, which is furnished and decorated to a good standard. Although young people are encouraged to develop independence skills appropriate to their age and understanding, pathway plans for young people leaving care are not in place.

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Summary

Staff have good opportunities to undertake training and are suitably qualified.There are good monitoring systems in place to assist in making sure that young people are well cared and safe. The overall quality rating is good. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendations have been implemented since the last inspection;

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Improvements since the last inspection

The risk assessments have been reviewed since the last inspection to ensure all current safety measures are in place. The minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff complete have completed their NVQ level 3 in caring for children and young people. This ensures staff are well trained in current child care practices to be able to care of young people well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Providing a well balanced and nutritious diet is given importance in the home and the menus reflect this. Young people take an active part in planning and cooking meals. They make suggestions to the meal options each week. Diverse meal options are included in the menu. Young people made chutney with the support of staff during the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health needs of young people are identified, services accessed and provided to ensure that their health is well promoted and maintained. Young people receive support from staff to attend health appointments. There is access to a selection of general and specialist healthcare professionals. Health and care plans record the support each young person requires and receives relating to their individual health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The administration, recording and storage of medicines and treatments are provided safely to the young people through the home's policies, procedures and practices of staff. This area is monitored frequently. Staff are trained how to administer medication safely in line with the policies and procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people confirmed staff respect their privacy and knock on doors before entering their bedrooms. They have keys to their bedrooms and a lockable facility. Staff acknowledge that young people should and do spend time alone. Records are securely stored. Therefore, the young people's privacy is respected and information confidentially handled.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff and the young people are fully aware of how to complain. One complaint has been made since the last inspection. Records show that prompt action is taken to investigate complaints, which indicates concerns raised are taken seriously. However, the full outcome for the complaint is not recorded in line with the regulation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have received safeguarding training, with some receiving advance training in this area. Staff can understand the procedures. The home has links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The procedures are detailed and available for staff to refer to and use. Therefore, measures are put in place to keep young people safe and their welfare is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying through the home's policies, procedures and the practice of the staff. Staff said they respond promptly to deal with bullying situations and they monitor young people closely when required. Support and advice will be given to young people 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 on the issues relating to bullying. Young people said there is no bullying occurring at the home and they are clear that it is not acceptable. Information on dealing with bullying is accessible to young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Keeping young people safe is a high priority in the home. Detailed discussions take place with young people about keeping themselves safe. Staff respond appropriately to protect them when they go missing without authority. There of specific protocols in place for individual young people and staff are clear on the action to take. Young people are aware of the circumstances when they will be reported missing. There have been four incidents of young people missing without authority since the last inspection and appropriate action has been taken to support the individuals concerned. Staff continue to respond positively with the young people when they return to try and ensure their future safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has reported a significant event to Ofsted as required by the regulations, however, they have failed to notify Ofsted of the outcome of a child protection strategy meeting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Managing behaviour positively is a high priority in the home and it is promoted and encouraged consistently by the staff team. Staff's approach to caring for young people is to have clear boundaries, incentives and rewards in place, which are discussed and agreed with the young people individually. The incentives for young people have been put in place to encourage and support their positive behaviour. This approach is working well for individual young people and has brought significant improvements for individuals over a period of time. However, some negative behaviours persist and require attention.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The sanctions and restraint records contain the required information. Since the last inspection in May2009 minimal sanctions have been given and three physical interventions have taken place. The views and comments of young people are recorded to assist in monitoring the effectiveness and appropriateness of such incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides good physical safety and security. For example, risk assessments are in place, which cover the relevant areas in specific detail and the supporting safety measures to be implemented with young people to keep them safe. These have been reviewed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire records indicate that regular checks on the system and appropriate fire instruction and training have taken place. Fire drills have been conducted on a frequent basis and involve the young people and all staff. Health and safety areas are monitored by the manager to ensure appropriate measures are in place to keep young people safe. Therefore, young people's safety is enhanced through the practices and support from staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff recruitment files have been checked and contained all required information and all relevant checks on the person are undertaken including the Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks. Therefore, the vetting and recruitment procedures for staff ensure young people are prevented from being cared for by unsuitable persons.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The young people receive individual support from the staff and some professionals when they need it to assist them to make progress in their lives. They have links with some health care professionals and the youth offending service. There are limited links with the Looked After 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 Children's nurse and other professionals assist in improving further aspects of the behaviour for some young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is provided at the home for some young people and others attend main stream schools. All young people are attending school on a full-time basis. The overall judgement of the quality of the education and the curriculum provided on site is satisfactory. However, there are limited resources which are having some impact on pupil progress. There are no statements of special educational need and personal education plans in place for young people. The home has requested these from the placing local authorities but has had no success in attaining them. This has reduced the effectiveness of the education provision in the home for some young people and has impacted on aspects of their learning and progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are encouraged and supported to attend school and they are rewarded for their attendance. The home has a computer for the young people to access for education. This is currently time managed and not accessible in the evenings, which is having an impact on young people, required to undertaking home work for GCSE's. Accessing the internet is slow and brings frustrations for some of the young people using it. Although young people are encouraged to attend school to ensure they attain the necessary education that will equip them for adulthood, there are some short falls in the provision. This is reported on in more detail in the education inspection report for the service.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home is promoting some hobbies and interests for young people. Young people have been on a number of trips and joined some group and individual activities. However, young people are not routinely mixing with their peers and sustaining hobbies or interests. There are a selection of books and games available. A young person said they would like more games to play with to have more choice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's needs are assessed and well documented within their care plans and supporting documents. These record in detail what the individual needs of young people are and how they will be met. Staff are able to verbalise the specific care they provide to young people. However, some identified areas of need for young people are not being implemented as set out in the care plan. For example, regular daily exercise. Although there have been improvements in young people's behaviour this area is still impacting on a number of other care and education areas for young people. This is hindering their overall progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Care reviews take place and the young people are positively involved. Young people and parents attend their review and their views sort on the future planning of their lives. Statutory review minutes are on the case files. This shows young people's progress is being monitored and built upon.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff actively encourage and facilitate constructive contact with family members and significant others for the young people. This ensures they maintain important links with their family and community links. Young people have telephone contact and meet regularly with their family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Support and encouragement is given to young people to make decisions about their lives. There are positive relationships and good communication between young people and the staff. This 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 is evident in the way young people and staff interact together, discuss every day matters and activities. A young person said they get on with all the staff. They are involved in making decisions about the food they eat, weekly activities and plans for their future when attending statutory reviews.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are being supported to develop some independent living skills appropriate to their age and understanding. They undertake practical daily living tasks, such as, process their own laundry, keep their own bedrooms tidy, washing pots, cooking and some budgeting skills.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Pathway plans are not in place for those young people who are 15 years of age and over. The planning for these young people has not yet started to assist a young person achieving all the necessary independence skills and identifying future resources required to support them into adulthood or leaving care.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is decorated and furnished to a good standard, providing a positive and domestic environment for the young people to live in. The home is clean and tidy. There are good repair and maintenance programmes in place. The hallway and dining room have been redecorated since the last inspection. Bedrooms are personalised and well equipped with a good range of furniture. A young person said they like their bedroom. However, the hall and stair carpet is showing signs of wear and tear, it is stained in places.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. A statement of purpose is available to inform professionals and members of the public about how care is provided at the home. There is a good children’s guide is in a suitable format for young people. Before admission the staff provide as much information as they can about the home to young people so that they know what to expect if they come to live there.

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Organisation

There is a consistent staff team with a broad range of skills and experience among its members. They are well supported and guided by the manager in promoting young people's welfare. Staff receive formal supervision at the required intervals. There are regular staff meetings and shift handovers. Staff commented that they work consistently as a team which the young people benefit from and assists in providing a good standard of care. They spoke about their work with young people with commitment and a caring attitude.

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Organisation

There are good staffing levels to support young people. The morning shift was worked by one senior staff member, one residential care worker, the manager and the housekeeper. There are occasions when there are three care staff on duty.

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Organisation

The vast majority of staff have a relevant child care qualification. Overall staff have access to a good selection of training in current childcare practices to ensure they are competent to meet the needs of the young people. Staff have opportunities to undertake mandatory and other training in a number of areas, such as, information technology, drugs, disability awareness and equality and diversity. However, one member of staff has not yet received the mandatory first aid training which is essential as staff to work alone with young people. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 The staff have a good knowledge of the young people's needs and are working with them to ensure the right support and care is being provided. Young people receive an individual service which is tailored to meet their personal needs.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. This is evidenced through practice, supporting policies, procedures and the individual placement plans.

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Organisation

Monthly monitoring visits to check how care is provided, are undertaken by an independent person. Further monitoring is undertaken by the manager and the senior staff team, which contributes to a good monitoring system. This ensures the young people living at the home are well cared for, with the standards and the majority of regulations being met.

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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

28 October 2009 ensure the full outcome of complaints made are recorded (Regulation 24) 28 October 2009 ensure that all notibable incidents listed in schedule five are reported to Ofsted as required (Regulation 30, schedule 5) 17 October 2010 ensure where appropriate that individual young people have a statement of special education need (Regulation 28, schedule 3) 28 October 2009 ensure that all identified care planning aims and objectives are implemented in full to meet the needs of young people (Regulation 11 & 12) 28 October 2009 ensure all staff receive mandatory training in first aid (Regulation 23)

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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): • build further links with outside agencies to support the young people and meet their individual needs (NMS 7) • ensure all young people have a personal education plan where applicable (NMS14) • ensure that young people have access to the computer and the internet during the evening for leisure and education and that it works efficiently (NMS14) • consider developing further and consistently provide social, leisure and physical activities for young people in line with their plan of care (NMS15) • provide further indoor and outside games for young people (NMS15) 9 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630 • review the strategies for managing behaviour where progress is not being made (NMS2) • ensure pathway plan are developed and put in place covering all the areas set out in the

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Recommendations

national minimum standards (NMS 6) • ensure the hall and stairway carpet is kept in good condition and stains are removed (NMS24) 10 of 10 Inspection Report: SC363630

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