Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

SC032701 Unique reference number 19 August 2009 Inspection date Stephen Graham Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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14 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: SC032701

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Brief description of the service

The service provides long term residential care for up to nine looked after young people of either sex, from 16 years old up to 18 years old. Care is provided in a staged way, which moves young people from a group living environment in Stage One to semi independent living in Stage Two.

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Brief description of the service

The building is detached and purpose built. There are five bedrooms in Stage One and two flats and two bedsits in Stage Two. There are a number of other communal rooms available in Stage One, including a lounge, dining room and sitting room. There is a training skills and education room which is used to help promote independent living skills.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located within a short walking distance of a variety of local amenities. It is also well served 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, photos of each staff member have been added to their individual personnel files. The time of any necessary search of a young person’s bedroom has been added to the room search log. Risk assessment agreements completed for each young person include an assessment of any risk from bullying. The missing person log and procedures in use have been improved to provide better evidence of whether social workers have spoken with young people following any unauthorised absences from the home. The recording of financial reparations received from young people has been improved and explain clearly how payments are being made. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly. Confirmation of public and employee liability insurance is available at the home.

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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. There is written guidance 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. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032701 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. The home does not currently have a Registered Manager. However, the local authority has appointed a temporary manager to oversee the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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. However, the arrangements to assess and notify any significant events to Ofsted need to be reviewed to ensure that they are effective. Detailed risk assessments are completed and are used to help keep young people safe. If children are ever missing, staff follow agreed procedures to make sure they are found and kept safe as quickly as possible. Guidance and training is provided to staff to help them protect young people from bullying. Any instances are recorded and responded to by staff. Young people who were spoken with had no concerns about bullying and were happy to confirm that they would speak to staff if they were ever concerned.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive detailed guidance about how to make a formal complaint if they are unhappy. The manager monitors the complaints record to ensure that if any are received, they are responded to promptly. Young people spoken with confirmed that they felt safe and protected and would talk with staff if they had any concerns. They also confirmed that they receive good advice from staff about staying safe. There are procedures in place which are used by staff to help children develop socially acceptable behaviour. Incentives are provided but 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 has been provided to staff. Some of the records of restraints undertaken have not been completed in sufficient detail.

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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. A CCTV system has been installed to increase security in the entrance hall and adjacent corridors at the home. Details of this are being included in the most recent Statement of Purpose (SoP) for the home. Staff know what to do if there is an emergency and they practise this with the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032701

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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

31 October 2009 ensure that the records of restraints undertaken are completed in sufficient detail on each occasion (Regulation 17)

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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 arrangements at the home to monitor and notify any significant events are effective (NMS 20) • ensure that an individual is appointed to manage the children’s home (NMS 34). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032701

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