Children's Home run by Progressive Care Limited in Sheffield

SC002930 Unique reference number 6 July 2009 Inspection date Robert Curr Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

19 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 9 Inspection Report: SC002930

p.3

Brief description of the service

This setting provides up to nine long term placements for young people aged from 14 years old up to 17 years old. The accommodation consists of seven single bedrooms and two independent self-contained flats. There are spacious communal areas for eating, studying and relaxing.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is in the residential area, approximately two miles from the town centre and is close to public transport. One of the main aims of the setting is to support, advise and to assist young people with their emotional development, education, work and independent living skills.

p.4

Summary

This was an unannounced inspection. All of the key standards were checked and improvements made since the last inspection were noted.

p.4

Summary

This is a satisfactory service with some good features. The health needs of the young people are well supported and medication is administered appropriately. Young people's education is encouraged and promoted. Leisure needs are not fully met although a multi-disciplinary approach ensures young people's views are taken into account when planning their future.

p.4

Summary

A policy on equality and diversity is in place and the staff demonstrate a limited appreciation that individual young people may have a range of possible needs arising from diversity.

p.4

Summary

Young people's welfare is enhanced by the positive relationships fostered by the staff team. However, young people's safety within the home is compromised by outstanding improvements required by electrical safety regulations.

p.4

Summary

There are some issues around the upkeep of the outside of the property.

p.4

Summary

There are sufficient experienced and competent staff who are very well supported. However, the aim to have the appropriate number of staff hold a National Vocational Qualification must be maintained. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the Registered Person was asked to take action in relation to an aspect of Staying Safe and Organisation. These included the monitoring of fire drill practices and staff training.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

All staff and young people have undertaken fire drill practices and although progress has been made in relation to staff training, National Vocational Qualification ratios do not meet current standards.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930 Young people have opportunities to work with care staff, to plan and shop for meals. Records show that the meals provided are varied and they promote a healthy and nutritious diet. Staff have an understanding of what constitutes a balanced diet, which they share with young people, in order to help them develop an awareness of nutritional issues. All staff involved in food preparation hold food handling certificates.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The health and well-being of the young people living at this home is closely monitored and their health needs are well met. Detailed health plans are in place for all young people. Records show that each young person is registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Staff encourage young people to attend appointments. They also seek to promote healthy lifestyles by accessing local support services, to promote young people's awareness about keeping safe, including drug and alcohol awareness.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

All staff have received training in the safe handling and administration of medication. Systems for the administration and storage of medicines are appropriately maintained. Designated staff members have a responsibility for monitoring the system.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Overall arrangements in place to promote the safety and welfare of young people are satisfactory with some outcomes being assessed as good. The staff team are highly committed to ensuring that young people in their care are protected from harm. On occasions, the staff team have had concerns that young people are not responding to the measures they have put in place to keep them safe. There is evidence that the manager arranges review meetings to address these risks.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has suitable policies on privacy and confidentiality. Staff show respect for young people's privacy and the importance of maintaining confidentiality is key to the good practice displayed by staff. Relationships between staff and young people are good and create a supportive and nurturing atmosphere, in which young people feel comfortable.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take concerns and complaints raised by young people seriously. Young people spoken to confirm that they are aware of the various ways they can raise a concern. They feel that staff respond to issues they raise with them.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected when bullying occurs and there is a clear understanding that it will not be tolerated in any form. Staff respond quickly and effectively when issues arise. Such incidents are well documented and carefully monitored by the staff team. Young people spoken to indicate that staff work hard to ensure their safety and that bullying is not tolerated.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff spoken to have a good understanding of child protection procedures and an online programme of refresher child protection training is in place, to ensure that they have the skills to protect young people from harm. The organisation has appropriate practices, policies and procedures in place, to protect young people from abuse.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have received training in managing behaviour. Staff are consistent in their application of early interventions to prevent situations from escalating. The inspector observed good working relationships between young people and staff. Staff work positively with young people and they encourage and praise acceptable behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour is addressed and 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930 discussed with young people. Staff are fully aware of the types of sanctions they can use. Young people said they are aware of the types of sanctions used and believe these to be fair. All sanctions imposed on young people are fully recorded and the staff team routinely review and monitor the effectiveness of the sanctions used.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has risk assessments in place for all aspects of the safety of the premises and grounds. There are also risk assessments relating to young people's behaviours and planned activities they undertake. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated, to ensure young people's continued safety. Visitors are welcomed into the home, once they have satisfied staff of their identity, the purpose of their visit and they have signed the visitors book. All fire alarm tests and fire safety equipment checks are up-to-date. All gas and electrical appliances receive an annual check.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A recent electrical safety certificate highlights that the current standard of electrical installations are unsatisfactory. The report refers to a light fitting in a bedroom as being dangerous and number of the actions raised are referred to as requiring urgent action. It is of concern that these matters were highlighted to the provider over six months ago and have not been actioned. These issues could seriously compromise the health and safety of anyone residing at the home.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All relevant vetting checks for staff are completed and satisfied prior to them commencing employment at the home. The Registered Manager ensures that the recruitment procedures for permanent and casual staff are robust.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people receive support from staff who understand their needs. Individual placement plans based on thorough assessments show how young people will be cared for within the home. Young people meet regularly with their individual key worker to talk about the work that has been identified in their placement plans and to raise issues that concern them. Staff work closely with other agencies to make sure that young people's needs are met.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School and educational attendance is encouraged, even with people who have a history of poor school attendance. Young people do not have access to a computer to undertake schoolwork or to pursue leisure interests.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There have been a limited number of trips out for enjoyment or interest. Young people do not feel enough activities have been planned for over the summer months. They also state that the reading books available for leisure are not age appropriate.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each young person has a placement plan that shows how staff will meet their assessed needs. Young people are fully involved in the development of these plans and in the regular reviews of their care. They feel that they are part of the decision making process and that their views are listened to. Young people are also consulted about the daily life of the home and staff communicate well with families and placing social workers. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930 Staff have a good understanding of the importance of positive contact and they provide young people with the emotional and practical support they need to keep in touch with family and friends. They work closely with placing social workers, to ensure that there are good contact plans and they are vigilant about monitoring the quality of the contact that takes place. Young people have access to a telephone.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

All admissions to the home are well managed. Young people are able to visit and meet staff and other young people before they move into the home. They are given good information about how the service will care for them. Prior to any young person being admitted, an assessment takes place which helps the service to identify any particular needs that the young person may have. This assessment also considers the needs of other young people in the home. All discharges from the service are handled sensitively and they are properly planned.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Staff encourage young people to develop the skills they will need in adulthood. For example, young people are given incentives to complete tasks and to achieve targets. They are encouraged to learn basic life skills, such as keeping their own rooms clean and tidy, planning menus and budgeting. However, one young person's leaving care plans are not clear. The formal pathway plan does not make clear what the responsibilities of the home are. This plan is not signed by any of the appropriate parties.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people state that staff provide emotional support when necessary.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard, which creates a pleasant domestic environment appropriate to the age and culture of the young people living there. The exterior of the home is not maintained in a good state of repair. Windows have been vandalised and they are in need of cleaning and fall pipes from the roof are detached, causing water to overflow during periods of rain. The outside of the home does not present as a homely and welcoming environment for the young people.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Young people benefit from being cared for by a staff team, who are appropriately trained to meet their needs and who work closely together, to ensure a consistent approach. Staff are given basic training in matters such as safeguarding, managing challenging behaviour and managing safety at work.

p.7

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. The manager is planning to deliver comprehensive equality and diversity training.

p.7

Organisation

Not all of the appropriate staff have achieved a qualification at National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in caring for children and young people. This means that the qualification recommendation is not met.

p.7

Organisation

A number of training events have been arranged. The manager maintains a matrix that is not up to date. Training records are hard to retrieve. It is not clear when staff have had training in the various subjects. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930 There are always sufficient staff on duty to ensure that young people are properly cared for at all times. Staff confirm that they are well supported by the management team. However, there are no clear written records of the dates and length of each supervision held.

p.7

Organisation

The home's statement of purpose is detailed and has been recently reviewed. It describes what the service seeks to provide for young people. The young person's guide to the service is well presented and provides information about the home. Both documents are clear and easy to understand and provide good information about how young people are cared for in the home.

p.8

Organisation

There are a number of quality assurance processes, including monthly monitoring visits by the Operations Coordinator. The Registered Manager also produces a monthly report. These monitoring reports do not include the issues relating to the electrical safety issues highlighted by the electrician.

p.8

Organisation

Young people's files contain the detailed information that is required. Files are stored securely and young people are encouraged to read their records. This ensures that young people have access to detailed information about their placements.

p.8

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.8

Due date Action Standard

3 July 2009 ensure that all parts of the home are free from hazards to children's safety, in particular the hazards highlighted within the electrical installation certificate (Regulation 23) 31 July 2009 ensure there is a robust monitoring system when visiting the children's home, in particular the premises (Regulation 33).

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide young people with access to the internet to carry out educational work and for leisure pursuits (NMS 14) • ensure there are ample opportunities for young people to participate in a range of leisure activities, including group holidays, trips and outings (NMS 15) • provide a choice in selection of age related books and magazines subject to their suitability (NMS 15) • review the contents of the identified pathway plan, ensuring it relates to the needs of the individual and is signed by the relevant parties (NMS 6) • ensure that 80 per cent of the staff team achieve the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent (NMS 29) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930 • maintain an accurate written record of all training undertaken by staff (NMS 31)

p.8

Recommendations

• maintain an accurate written record of all supervisions held detailing the time, date and length of each session (NMS 28). 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC002930

p.9