Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

SC037861 Unique reference number 31 July 2009 Inspection date Deborah White Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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29 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: SC037861

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children of either sex, aged 12 years to 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The house has two floors. The ground floor comprises of a kitchen, a living room with television and toilet facilities.

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Brief description of the service

Upstairs there are bedrooms for children, a staff office and a bathroom.

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Brief description of the service

There is a large garden at the back of the house.

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Brief description of the service

There were no children present at the time of this inspection.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced inspection was to look at the action, and recommendation, from the last inspection and to review outcomes in staying safe.

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Summary

Outcomes for being healthy; enjoying and achieving; positive contribution; economic wellbeing and organisation were not inspected. These outcomes will be looked at during the next key inspection.

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Summary

Improved procedures and regular training ensures staff know how to identify and report child protection concerns. Complaints are managed effectively and children are given good information about how they can voice their worries or concerns.

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Summary

There is no telephone where children can make private calls and not all sanctions used are permissible. Risk assessments show no risks but their seriousness and likelihood are not estimated to fully safeguard children.

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Summary

There are four recommendations arising from this 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

At the last inspection the registered person was required to improve the child protection procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's privacy is respected. There is guidance in place for room searches and children know under what circumstances staff may enter bedrooms without children's permission; for example if staff think a child is at risk. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037861 There is no telephone, for the use of children, to make and receive private calls. Children have mobile telephones, and are given a weekly £5 top-up voucher, but it is not clear how children can make private calls when the mobile telephone credit runs out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are given good information about how to complain and there is information available about advocacy services. There is a countering bullying risk assessment, to reduce the risk of bullying, and children who go missing are safeguarded by good working protocols with local police.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures and regular child protection training protects children from possible abuse. Staff know how to report any concerns and there is written guidance to advise how abuse may occur in children's homes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's child protection procedures have been ratified by the Local Children's Safeguarding Board (LCSB) and staff access the LCSB child protection procedures via the computer. However, on the day of the inspection staff were unable to open the LCSB procedures; therefore they are not accessible at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Where sanctions are used children sign the sanction book to show they have been consulted about how behaviour is managed. Permissible sanctions are listed in the behaviour management policy but on some occasions non-permissible sanctions are used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no restraints, since the last inspection, and all staff have had training in managing safe physical interventions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk assessments show possible risks to children and how these will be minimised. The assessments are based on known risks, to children, and there are some good risk management strategies that are known to staff. There is a rating recorded, to measure risks, but it is unclear if this refers to the seriousness or likelihood of risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors are vetted to protect children from potential abusers. Visitors identification is checked and the visitors book is signed so the registered person can monitor who comes to the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037861

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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 the siting of a telephone and arrangements for payment are convenient, private, practical and accessible (NMS 9.5) • ensure a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures are kept in the home (NMS 17.2) • ensure there is a clear policy that sets out the disciplinary measures permitted in the home (NMS 22.2) • ensure the process of identifying hazards to safety or welfare of children estimates their seriousness and likelihood (NMS 26). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037861

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