Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

SC062573 Unique reference number 28 October 2009 Inspection date David Martin Inspector Key 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: SC062573

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care and accommodation on a planned, long-term basis for seven young people of either sex, from 12 years old up to 17 years old. The home is purpose-built in its own grounds. It is suitably located for access to all local amenities and it is convenient for public transport. The home has a lounge, games room, and kitchen and dining room on the ground floor. The main offices are also located on the ground floor. The waking night room is located upstairs and all seven bedrooms are en-suite.

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Summary

This unannounced inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against all key national minimum standards in each outcome area. In addition, a check was made of the home's response to recommendations from the last inspection.

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Summary

The home continues to provide young people with good quality care and support. Health care needs are clearly identified and healthy lifestyles are promoted well. The staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and there are strong measures in place to ensure that young people are safe. Young people are well supported to achieve educational and employment goals. Young people are encouraged to express their views and contribute to decision making processes. Staffing are well trained and keep their practice up to date. Young people made a direct contribution to the inspection. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has reviewed the use of financial sanctions and introduced a system of restorative justice which allows young people to earn addition monies. This has been well received by young people and has had a positive influence on their behaviour.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are encouraged to lead healthy lives. The home provides them with healthy, well balanced meals which are planned on a daily basis. Young people are asked to contribute their ideas and are actively involved in the preparation of food. They participate in the shopping and can make individual requests. Meal times are considered to be an important part of the day and are usually relaxed social occasions. The young people are engaged in a range of sports and have access to a local gym.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people's healthcare needs are well documented. They are all registered with primary healthcare providers and appointments are made as necessary. Specialist advice is available regarding misuse of drugs and alcohol, sexual health and anger management. Mental health workers regularly attend the home's team meetings and contribute their views on the support that individual young people need. Young people's health needs are met well.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication is stored securely and there are systems in place to ensure that it is administered safely. The records are well maintained and clearly account for the administration of prescribed 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC062573 medicines. Staff have completed an appropriate level of training and the local pharmacy is prepared to offer support and guidance as necessary. Staff have first aid qualifications and the first aid kit is in good order. The arrangements ensure that staff can respond to young people's needs in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy and dignity is respected. They have their own individual bedrooms with en-suite bathing facilities. However, the young people do not currently have keys to their own rooms. This means that they are reliant on staff to gain access. The staff have a sound understanding of issues of confidentiality which ensures the safe management of information about young people. All records are held securely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people are familiar with the complaints procedure and have written guidance on raising worries and concerns. There has been one complaint in the period since the last inspection. It was investigated and resolved promptly. The arrangements for making a complaint are well publicised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have completed safeguarding training and are confident about reporting their concerns or a disclosure of abuse. They have access to the safeguarding procedures and the local safeguarding board provides a range of information via its website. The home's approach to bullying is specified in the children's guide and an anti-bullying culture is promoted through key worker sessions and house meetings. Incidents of bullying are managed effectively. Unauthorised absence is well documented and reported in line with procedures agreed with the police. These measures ensure that young people are protected from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home promotes positive behaviour. Since the last inspection the home has introduced a form of restorative justice which allows young people the opportunity to repair damage and earn extra money to pay off financial reparations. This has been well received by the young people. Staff have completed training on the use of non-physical intervention techniques to manage challenging or aggressive behaviour. As a result the use of restraint is rare. Young people benefit from the staff's constructive response to anti-social behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained and there are comprehensive environmental risk assessments in place. The staff are vetted and have up to date Criminal Records Bureau clearance. This contributes to the overall safety and wellbeing of young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Case records for individual young people are well maintained. They include comprehensive daily living plans which set out assessed need and identify the support and guidance young people require. There is an effective key worker system in place. These arrangements ensure that care and support is provided in a consistent way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home values and promotes the education of young people and is committed to supporting them to achieve their potential. Young people of school age have a personal education plan. They are given practical assistance to get to and from school and have access to educational 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC062573 facilities in the home. Some of the young people have finished school and are now successfully engaged in work, college placements and other post 16 support arrangements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young people are engaged in a range of activities in the community. The staff and young people have undertaken a number of art projects and this work is displayed around the home. The home has safe and age appropriate access to the internet. The staff positively encourage young people to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The care and support young people receive is subject to regular review. Young people can attend and contribute their views in person or in writing. Where they choose not to attend, young people are given feedback and informed of the review decisions as soon as possible. The review system ensures that young people are actively engaged in the decision making processes about their lives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements are set out in young people's placement plans. The home promotes contact as appropriate and in accordance with any restrictions imposed by the courts or social services. Young people's views on their contact arrangements are respected. The home ensures that contact takes place safely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged to participate in the day to day operation of the home and are engaged in making a range of decisions. This includes contributing ideas and expressing preferences in relation to the provision of meals, weekly shopping and activities. Key worker sessions provide individual time for consultation and there are regular house meetings. The arrangements ensure that young people have a variety of ways of expressing their views.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The young people are well supported in making the transition to adulthood. They are allocated a leaving care worker and have pathway plans in place. The young people are encouraged to acquire independent living skills including managing laundry, the preparation of meals and budgeting. The home will provide both formal and informal support and contact for young people who have moved to their own accommodation. These measures ensure that the leaving care process is a positive experience for young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The premises are well maintained. Communal areas are spacious, well decorated and comfortably furnished. Office accommodation is secure. The enclosed gardens are in good order and include a greenhouse, vegetable plot and chicken run. There are good leisure facilities such as a pool table, books and magazines and a computer. Young people live in a pleasant and interesting home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The authority is committed to promoting equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive practice. Case files strongly reflect the individuality of young people. However, the young people are not engaged in activities which help them understand and celebrate difference. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC062573 The statement of purpose was reviewed in August 2009 and is up to date. It contains a clear and concise account of the home's core values and how care and support will be provided. The young people are given a copy of the children's guide on admission which clearly sets out the way in which the home is run. This document ensures that young people have as much information as possible about the home.

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Organisation

The home is sufficiently well staffed to ensure that young people are provided with the individual support and guidance they need. The staff are well qualified and have access to a wide range of training. They receive good support from the senior team and have regular supervision and team meetings. This ensures that the staff have opportunities to keep themselves up to date and the time to reflect on their childcare practice.

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Organisation

All case records are well maintained. The home is subject to regular quality monitoring visits to assess its performance and comment on the range of activity. The visits assist in the process of identifying areas for improvement and development.

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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): • provide young people with keys to their bedrooms (NMS 9) • engage the young people in activities that promote equality and diversity. (NMS 1) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC062573

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