Children's Home run by St Cuthbert’s Care in Newcastle upon Tyne

SC033467 Unique reference number 29 September 2009 Inspection date Stephen Graham Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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28 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 6 Inspection Report: SC033467

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Brief description of the service

The home provides long term residential care for up to six looked after young people of either gender, from 10 years old up to 17 years. The home is newly built and is three storey, with a garden and play area at the front of the property. There is access to additional play and leisure facilities shared with other provisions on the same site. There are two local youth centres, a swimming pool, local shops and other amenities, all within walking distance. The home is situated on the outskirts of a city and is easily accessible by public transport.

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Summary

The purpose of the visit was a random inspection to sample some key national minimum standards (NMS). The inspection examined outcomes in the area of staying safe as well as checking the progress with the actions and recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Summary

Outcomes for staying safe and the overall quality rating are good. 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

To help make sure that young people are cared for safely, the room search log now records who was present at the time of the search and clearly indicates that the young person has been made aware that a search has taken place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To help make sure that young people live in a home that is properly organised the statement of purpose for the home has been updated to ensure that it is accurate and includes all required information. The young people's guide to the home has been updated to include the contact details for Ofsted. The summary recording system used during managers monthly monitoring includes more detail of the matters monitored.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although recording within the log of any restraints occurring at the home has improved, some events are not described in sufficient detail. Therefore the previous recommendation is restated in this report.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home has good arrangements in place to help make sure that young people are cared for safely. Written guidance is provided to staff about how case records should be completed and kept safely stored. There is written guidance and agreements in place regarding staff entering and searching bedrooms, if this is necessary, to help keep children safe. Visitors are welcomed at the home. Staff members check to make sure their visitors are suitable and that both they and other children who live in the home are safe when visitors are present. Thorough checks are undertaken on staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033467 Arrangements for safeguarding young people from abuse are good. Training is provided regularly to staff to help them keep young people safe. There are systems in place to help monitor the safety of young people and respond to any incidents. Detailed risk assessments are completed

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and are used to help keep young people safe. If children are ever missing staff have agreed procedures to follow to make sure they are found and kept safe as quickly as possible. Clear guidance is provided to staff to help them protect young people from bullying. Young people who wrote to us or who spoke to the inspector during the visit confirmed that they receive advice from staff about staying safe and could talk to staff if they were worried.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive clear information about how to make a formal complaint if they are unhappy. A record of any complaints received is maintained, this demonstrates that any received are responded to promptly and investigated thoroughly. Young people spoken with confirmed that they felt safe living at the home and receive good advice from staff about staying safe. There are procedures and incentives in place which are used by staff to help children develop socially acceptable behaviour. Agreed sanctions are also imposed and reparation made where necessary. Restraints are used at the home, if this is necessary, to help keep young people safe. Accredited training in this is provided to staff. Records of any incidents occurring are maintained. Some events are not recorded in sufficient detail to fully demonstrate the appropriateness of the action taken to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments and health and safety checklists are used to help ensure that the home is a safe place for children to live. Staff undertake routine checks on the building and the safety equipment that might be needed in an emergency. Staff know what to do if there is an emergency and they practise this with the children. One social worker who had placed a young person at the home told us ‘staff appear to have a high standard of safety awareness’. Another commented how in their experience, ‘regular safety checks are carried out’ at the home.

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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 that the record of restraints is completed in clear detail on each occasion. (NMS 22) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033467

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