Children's Home run by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council in Sefton

SC036304 Unique reference number 16 November 2009 Inspection date Jeffrey Banham Inspector Random Type of 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: SC036304

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home accommodates a maximum of five young people in the age range of seven years to 15 years. It is close to local amenities. It operates from a detached property, which has a lounge and dining area, a family room, activity room, six bedrooms, toilets and bathroom facilities. The premises include a large well fitted kitchen, laundry and garden. Staff are managed and supported by the on site Registered Manager.

p.4

Summary

This interim inspection was unannounced and looked at the outcome areas of being healthy, staying safe and organisation. Four young people live in the home Two of them participated in the inspection.

p.4

Summary

The home offers young people clear boundaries, a consistent team-based approach and effective care and supervision. Staff are well trained and well supported and give young people sensitive and committed care that sets out to meet their identified needs.

p.4

Summary

The priority on safeguarding is high, and young people feel secure and safe in the home. Their health needs are promoted and staff are vigilant in ensuring that their medication is effective and regularly monitored to ensure it is appropriate to their needs. It is not clear if all staff have an appropriate first aid qualification.

p.4

Summary

The home is well managed and is committed to monitoring, evaluation and the continuous development of its practice.

p.4

Summary

The home has admitted young people outside the conditions of its registration. Although all young people are within the age range of those who can be accommodated, the gap between the oldest and the youngest is greater than stated in the conditions of registration. This, however, has had no discernible impact on any of the young people who live there. The care provided to each young person is appropriate to their needs. All are cared for safely in a relaxed and child-centred environment. 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

The home has acted upon the recommendations that were made at the last inspection. Fire drills take place at night and are recorded using the 24-hour clock. Restrictions of contact are no longer in place. Reports of independent monitoring visits are produced within the appropriate timescales.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The home gives full care and attention to young people living there and promotes all aspects of their health. Staff know what they have to do to assist young people according to their identified needs. Information about health issues is gathered from a number of sources to create a health care plan that outlines the support that young people need to have, and the 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036304 tasks that staff have to undertake to meet identified objectives. Consents to medical treatment are obtained and held on file. Staff support young people to access routine health care, such as GPs and dentists, and arrange for other specialist health care to be provided when this is needed. They are well trained in basic health care support. All staff are trained in first aid, but it is not clear if the short course that they attend gives them a suitable first aid qualification that should be held by at least one person on duty at any time.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Staff are diligent in reviewing medication taken by young people to ensure it is appropriate for them. The systems for the administration of medication are sound and staff are well trained in the medication procedures.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Staff provide young people with information and advice about healthy life styles and help them to take control of the own health care in so far as their needs and abilities allow. Healthy eating is promoted and all mealtimes are seen as enjoyable social occasions.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff ensure that young people are cared for safely. The home has detailed procedures to enable staff to deal with issues such as bullying, young people missing from home and how to respond to any complaint made by a young person. Staff ensure that young people are treated with respect and dignity and that information about them is managed confidentially and securely. Detailed safeguarding procedures are in place. Staff are well trained and know how to respond to any concern or allegation that may involve a child protection matter.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people clearly benefit from the staff team's structured and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Comprehensive risk assessments and care plans provide staff with the framework within which to respond to young people's behaviour. Staff promote positive behaviour and provide young people with clear boundaries. Young people feel safe and secure supported by staff who have their welfare as their priority.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is well maintained and provides young people, staff and visitors with a safe environment in which to live and work.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is well managed and gives young people a safe, structured and child-centred environment in which their welfare and development is actively and consistently promoted. Staff are well trained and are supervised and supported to obtain and apply the skills and knowledge required for them to meet the needs of young people in placement. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036304 Staff are deployed in order to give full support to all young people. The staff team works flexibly to provide care that offers good supervision. Young people feel relaxed and secure in the home are clearly confident in their relationships with staff.

p.5

Organisation

All aspects of practice and procedure are well monitored and the home is committed to maintaining continuous improvement in order for it to meet the needs of young people.

p.6

Organisation

The home does not always admit children within the conditions of its registration. Although young people from within the identified age range are admitted the age gap between, the youngest and the oldest child is not always within the stated conditions. The home, however, ensures that the care and supervision it provides to all young people promotes the safety and welfare of all who live there.

p.6

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.6

Due date Action Standard

30 November 2009 ensure that the home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of all the children accommodated there. (Reg. 11(1))

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review staff training in first aid to ensure there is at least one person on duty at any time who has a suitable first aid qualification. (NMS 13) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036304

p.6