Children's Home run by Progressive Care Limited in Sheffield

SC002930 Unique reference number 7 January 2010 Inspection date Robert Curr Inspector Random Type of 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: SC002930

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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.

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Brief description of the service

The home is in a 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.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. Matters looked at during this visit relate to the outcome area of staying safe and recommendations made at the last inspection. Details of the previous recommendations are outlined in the improvement section of this report.

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Summary

The is an inadequate service. Young people's privacy and confidentiality is respected by staff. Good systems exist for young people to be supported to raise any issue or concern they may have about their support in the setting.

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Summary

The recruitment procedures are not followed, resulting in poor selection and vetting practices. Criminal records bureau guidelines are not followed.

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Summary

The overall competence of staff team is weak. There are insufficient experienced and competent staff on duty at all times. The aim to have the appropriate number of staff who hold a National Vocational Qualification must be maintained. The overall quality rating is inadequate. 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 asked to take action in relation to aspects of staying safe, positive contribution and organisation. These included electrical safety, activities for young people, professional supervision and staff training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Major refurbishment of the main electrical system has taken place and general electrical repairs around the house have been completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Records indicate that young people are actively involved in the planning of future holidays and activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Continued weaknesses have been identified in relation to maintaining up-to-date training and supervision records.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although progress has been made in relation to staff training, National Vocational Qualification ratios do not meet current standards. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC002930

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Some unacceptable systems are in place to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young peoples privacy is maintained at the home. Staff demonstrate respect for young people by not entering their bedrooms without permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All confidential information is kept in lockable cabinets. All young people have access to a telephone to make and receive calls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sufficient space is available to enable young people to meet with visitors and have key work sessions in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All concerns are taken seriously by the staff team. Young people use the complaints procedure and their concerns are addressed promptly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to report child protection concerns. The home has links with the placing authority and police. The majority of staff have received relevant training. Sensitivity is demonstrated by staff in their understanding of the complex needs of young people who have experienced different aspects of abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk assessments are in place for managing young people who go missing without consent. These contain details for staff on what support should be available for young people when they return to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are policies and procedures to support staff promote anti-bullying. Young people agree that they do not always get on with each other but confirm there is no bullying at the home. Staff endeavour to create a harmonious atmosphere and openly challenge any form of bullying including verbal abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management involves rewards for positive behaviour. Young people are aware of the consequences of their unacceptable behaviour that can result in the temporary withdrawal of a privilege. It is clear that when measures of control are put in place, staff consider the age and understanding of the young person concerned. Restraint has not been used to manage behaviour, although staff receive training in the use of such interventions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to ensure all statutory health and safety checks are carried out within the required timescales. Major improvements have been made the main electricity supply.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear fire safety records are held. Regular fire drills take place and checks on fire fighting equipment are up to date. All staff have undertaken fire safety training at the required frequency. This upholds the health and safety of the young people residing at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have commenced employment prior to the issue of a satisfactory criminal records bureau disclosure and not all relevant vetting checks for staff are completed prior to them commencing 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC002930 employment at the home. This does not protect young people from being exposed to potential abusers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The range of activities is good. Young people enjoy outings to the cinema, museums and other outside activities. Staff and young people are planning fishing trips in the near future.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people have access to a computer but there is not internet access at this time as the manager stated it was inoperative. This is limiting young people when they are undertaking schoolwork or pursuing leisure interests.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Young people do not benefit from being cared for by a well established staff team. Not all the probationary staff have compatible training. The overall competencies of staff on individual shifts is not satisfactory as probationary staff have worked alone within their first week of duty. This does not ensure a consistent approach to the particular difficulties being experienced by some of the young people.

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Organisation

There is no clear evidence that supervision sessions are provided for new staff at the recommended intervals to provide support and guidance in safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare.

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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.

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Organisation

Not all of the appropriate staff have achieved a qualification at National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in caring for Children and Young People and the registered manager has not yet completed an appropriate management qualification. This means that the qualification recommendation is not met.

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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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Due date Action Standard

6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC002930 31 January 2010 obtain for all staff, including agency staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26) 31 January 2010 ensure that at all times staff working in the home are suitably qualified, competent and experienced.(Regulation 25)

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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): • provide young people with access to the internet to carry out educational work and for leisure pursuits (NMS 14) • maintain an accurate written record of all training undertaken by staff (NMS 31) • maintain an accurate written record of all supervisions held detailing the time, date and length of each session (NMS 28) • ensure a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff complete a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent (NMS 29) • ensure the registered manager has a qualification in management. (NMS 34) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC002930

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