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

SC032697 Unique reference number 16 June 2009 Inspection date Stephen Graham Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

7 January 2009 Date of last 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 6 Inspection Report: SC032697

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home provides long-term residential care for six young people of either sex, aged from 10 to under 18 years of age. One of the places is reserved for an emergency placement. The home is a two storey property and is within a short walking distance of a range of local amenities. Young people benefit from individual bedrooms, shared bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, dining room, study room as well as a large enclosed rear garden.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

To help make sure that young people are cared for safely, consent for the use of door alarms to help protect young people have been obtained from their placing social worker. Personnel files have been updated and now contain a recent photo of each staff member. Records confirm that fire drills are held at night. Public and Employee Liability insurance for the home has been renewed.

p.4

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. Young people are supported by staff to add their own written comments to their care files if they so wish. There is written guidance and agreements in place regarding staff entering and searching bedrooms, if this is necessary, to help keep children safe.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay 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.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Arrangements for safeguarding young people from abuse are good. Training is provided 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 also completed in partnership with young people and their social workers. When children go missing, staff follow agreed procedures to make sure they are found and kept safe as quickly as possible. The records do not always indicate whether the young person has been spoken to by someone independent to the home on their return. The records do not always give sufficient detail as 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032697 to why some social workers have chosen not to speak to young people following any absence. Guidance and training is provided to staff to help them protect young people from bullying. A log has been set up specifically to record any instances and help monitor this at the home.

p.4

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 recording system used by the manager to monitor any complaints or allegations made does not include sufficient detail. All of the young people spoken with confirmed that they felt safe and protected and would talk with staff if they had any concerns. There are procedures in place which are used by staff to help children develop socially acceptable behaviour. Some of the sanctions imposed and reparations made are in breach of the children’s homes regulations. Restraints can be used at the home if this is ever necessary to help keep young people safe. Accredited training in this has been provided to staff.

p.5

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 check the safety equipment that might be needed in an emergency. Some of these checks on equipment need to be undertaken more regularly. The annual gas safety check on the central heating boiler is overdue. Staff know what to do if there is an emergency and they practise this with the children.

p.5

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.5

Due date Action Standard

31 August 2009 ensure that any sanctions imposed at the home are compliant with the regulations. (Regulation 17)

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032697 • ensure that missing person records give sufficient detail as to why social workers have chosen not to speak to young people following any absence from the home (NMS 19) • complete in sufficient detail the entries in the managers recording system used to monitor any complaints or allegations received (NMS 16) • ensure that routine checks undertaken on fire safety equipment occur at the agreed regularity (NMS 26) • ensure that the gas central heating boiler is inspected and maintained annually. (NMS 26) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032697

p.5