Children's Home run by Young Foundations Limited in Darlington

SC061439 Unique reference number 14 January 2010 Inspection date Bill Drumm 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 6 Inspection Report: SC061439

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Brief description of the service

Care and accommodation is provided at the home for up to five young people aged from 12 years old up to 17 years old. The home is a detached house with an enclosed rear garden. The house has three floors. The ground floor comprises of a kitchen, dining room, lounge, another room used for doing school work and a toilet. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms and a family sized bathroom. On the second floor, there are a further two bedrooms and a shower room. Each young person has their own single bedroom.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to local shops. Bus routes are nearby if young people wish to visit the town centre with its larger shops, cinema and leisure facilities.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection of the home. The outcome areas for young people in the area of staying safe were inspected and found to be good. Recommendations made at the previous inspection were also looked at. All recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met. No recommendations have been made following this inspection and the overall quality rating of the home remains good.

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Summary

Five young people currently live at the home, two of whom were present during the inspection process. 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

Since the last inspection the manager of the home has ensured that written information relating to each young person's contact with any healthcare professional, particularly therapists, is stored on their files. In addition, the guidance for the administration of homely remedies has been reviewed. The manager has also ensured that the home has current Public and Employee Liability Insurance up to a minimum value.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The healthcare needs of young people are fully promoted. Young people living at the home have their health care needs identified. The home has, close, positive working relationships with health care professionals. Notes of all meetings held between young people and healthcare professionals are retained on each young persons file. The quality of these is good and the recommendation made at the last inspection has been met. Young people are actively supported and encouraged to attend meetings and appointments with them. Young people are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Members of staff encourage and support young people to attend all relevant appointments.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people living at the home are protected by the home’s medication administration systems. Policies and procedures relating to the safe handling and administration of medication are in place. All members of staff have undertaken formal training in the safe handling and administration of medication. In addition, the home's procedure for the administration of 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061439 homely remedies has been reviewed. The review of this procedure is thorough. Members of staff and young people are fully aware of what homely remedies can be taken and in what quantity, this helps to ensure the safety and welfare of young people is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Members of staff are pleasant and friendly towards the young people living at the home, who in turn feel relaxed and comfortable in their presence. Each young person has their own bedroom. Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms in a style of their own choice and to keep the rooms clean and tidy. The home has policies and procedures in place which explain what action members of staff should take when it is necessary to search a young person's bedroom. One room search has been carried out since the last inspection. The room search records comply with national minimum standards. Personal information relating to each young person is stored securely to prevent unauthorised access. Young people are happy and feel comfortable living at the home and enjoy a positive relationship with members of staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good procedures and systems in place to support young people who may wish to make a complaint. Information about complaints is openly displayed, as are contact numbers for a number of independent agencies who can help young people. There have been no formal complaints made since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures and guidance for identifying and reporting child protection concerns are good. Local Safeguarding Children’s Board procedures are available to staff and these are supplemented by the home’s policy and guidance. Safeguarding procedures from the local authorities placing young people at the home are also available. All staff have received up to date child protection training. These measures all contribute towards safeguarding young people and keeping them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are fully protected from being targeted by bullies. The home has policies and procedures in place with regard to countering bullying and there have been no recorded incidents of bullying since the last inspection. The young people's guide to the home includes information for young people about what action they should take if they feel they are being targeted by bullies. Members of staff have received training in countering bullying and a comprehensive risk assessment of the times, places and circumstances when bullying could occur in the home has been written. The countering bullying risk assessment is reviewed and up dated at regular intervals. In addition, there is a substantial amount of good quality information displayed throughout the home about what bullying is and how it can affect a young person. Young people know how to protect themselves and to seek help if they think they are being bullied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has policies and procedures in place with regard to what action members of staff should take if a young person is absent without authority. Procedures fully comply with national minimum standards. There have been a number of occasions since the last inspection when a young person has been absent without authority, although the last occasion was some months ago. Young people who have been absent are responded to positively on their return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home works effectively with young people to help them develop socially acceptable behaviour. Sanctions are used sparingly and their effectiveness is monitored by the home’s management. All sanctions used, appear reasonable and not excessive. Records relating to sanctions are retained within a bound and numbered book used specifically for that purpose. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061439 The home places a strong emphasis on the use of positive reinforcement and all young people have behaviour management plans in place. Staff are trained in positive handling techniques and strategies. The use of holding or restraint is only ever used as a last resort.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has good systems in place to assess and reduce risks posed to young people. Effective policies, procedures, risk assessment and management arrangements contribute towards ensuring that young people's welfare is safeguarded. Fire drills and evacuations are undertaken regularly and all emergency safety equipment is well maintained. The home has an up to date certificate of Public and Employee Liability insurance up to a minimum value. All these measures help to keep young people safe from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff working at the home have undergone a robust recruitment and selection process to ensure that they are suitable to work with young people. The home has appropriate arrangements for the vetting of all visitors. The careful selection and vetting of all staff and visitors helps to prevent young people from being exposed to potential harm or abuse.

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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

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC061439

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