Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Wakefield

SC060811 Unique reference number 2 February 2010 Inspection date Debbie Foster Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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27 August 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 7 Inspection Report: SC060811

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care for two children who are aged between eight and 17 years old. The primary reason why a child is admitted to the home is because of emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a terraced house situated within a small town. On the ground floor there is a staff office, lounge, kitchen with dining area, and a porch. On the first floor are two children's bedrooms, a staff bedroom, bathroom with toilet and a shower room with toilet. At the rear of the house is a yard, which is reached by an unmade road and provides an additional car parking space for the home.

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Brief description of the service

The home is centrally placed for public transport, the library, shops and other leisure facilities. A primary school and secondary school are within walking distance.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection focusing upon national minimum standards relating to keeping children and young people safe. The one action and five recommendations made at the last inspection in August 2009 have also been checked to see if they had been implemented.

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Summary

Good safeguarding measures are in place to support young people and ensure they are kept safe. This has been achieved through individual safety measures being put in place for young people, staff being well trained in safety areas and positive incentives to encourage the positive behaviour of young people.

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Summary

The young people took part in the inspection. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following action and recommendations have been implemented.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Looked After Children's documentation and other essential information has been provided when young people have been admitted to the home to ensure the service can meet their full individual care needs of each young person. The complaints records now include a section to record if the complainant is satisfied with the outcome and the action taken or not after an investigation into their complaint. The CRB information record, clearly states that the CRB has been undertaken at an enhanced level to work with children. Since the last inspection the lounge has been refurbished, decorated and new furniture has been purchased, implementing some of the improvement plans for the premises. Staff are receiving formal supervision at regular intervals to give them the required support.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following recommendation is still to be implemented.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff are to complete their NVQ level 3 in the caring for children and young people. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC060811

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Records are securely stored within the home and staff are clear on the policy on handling confidential information appropriately. Young people said they can spend time alone in their bedrooms. The staff knock and wait before entering their rooms. They have keys to their own bedrooms which promotes their privacy. Therefore, young peoples' privacy is respected and information confidentially handled.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear complaints policy and procedure. Young people said they know how to make a complaint. There have been no complaints made since the last inspection. The records show that immediate action is taken to address the complaints. Staff said any complaint or a concerns is taken seriously. The records now include a section to indicate if the complainant is satisfied or not with the outcome of any investigation and the action taken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have receive safe guarding training and they are aware of the procedures to follow to ensure the safety of young people. Appropriate measures are in place to keep young people safe and the outcomes for individual young people are good. Therefore, the safe guarding of young people in the home are given priority.

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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. Young people said no bullying is taking place in the home and they are aware that bullying is not allowed. They said they would talk to staff or their social worker if any bullying was taking place

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been minimal incidents where young people have been reported missing from the home. Young people are clear about the circumstances when they will be reported missing. Staff are aware of the appropriate procedures to follow when young people go missing without authority. Appropriate records are in place for such incidents. Young people have been made aware of the dangers and possible risks to their safety when they go missing by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The ethos for managing behaviour in the home is to focus on positive behaviour. Staff said this is a priority. Their approach to caring for young people is to have clear boundaries in place and give praise to young people. Boundaries are discussed and agreed with the young people individually. Rewards and incentives are in place to encourage positive and acceptable behaviour. Young people said the rewards are good. The behaviour strategies in place have been reviewed and the rewards for good behaviour are having a positive affect on young people, they are making progress in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Three sanctions have been made since the last inspection and two physical interventions have taken place. Those made have been reasonable for the behaviour presented. These records are centrally-held and contain the required information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's safety is promoted well through the practices and support from staff. Fire records show that regular checks on the system are undertaken. Staff have received fire 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC060811 instruction and training. An annual refresher training in fire safety for staff is undertaken. Fire drills take place frequently, including one taking place at night, and young people are involved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety areas are monitored by the manager to assist in keeping young people safe. There are risk assessments in place, which cover the relevant areas, and these are in sufficient detail for staff to follow to reduce risks identified for individual young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. This area has not been inspected in full. Only the recommendation made at the last inspection has been checked for progress.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is decorated and furnished to a satisfactory standard, providing a domestic environment for the young people to live in. It is clean, tidy, well-maintained and in good repair internally. Since the last inspection the lounge has under gone refurbishment with the porch and fire place being removed. This has made the lounge more spacious. It has also been decorated and new furniture has been purchased.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. This area has not been inspected in full. Only the recommendations made at the last inspection have been checked for progress.

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Organisation

Staff are supported well and guided in promoting young people's welfare. Formal supervision is being provided at regular intervals. There are regular staff meetings and daily shift handovers. Staff commented that they are well-supported, work well as a team and have good communication systems which assists them in providing consistent care to the young people.

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Organisation

The staff have access to a wide selection of training in current childcare practices to ensure they are competent to meet the needs of the young people. They have opportunities to undertake mandatory training in a number of areas, such as child protection, behaviour management, fire, first aid, food hygiene and medication training.

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Organisation

The target of 80% has not yet been achieved by the workforce being trained in the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in caring for children and young people, although good progress is being made. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC060811

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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 minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff complete their NVQ level 3 in the caring for children and young people. (NMS 29.5) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC060811

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