Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

SC033326 Unique reference number 15 October 2009 Inspection date Michael McCleave Inspector Random Type of 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 6 Inspection Report: SC033326

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home provides six medium to long term placements for young people aged between 10 and 17 years. The accommodation consists of six single bedrooms and spacious communal areas for eating, studying and relaxing. Young people have access to a computer to enable them to keep in contact with family and friends using the internet.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is in a residential area and is close to a shopping area and public transport. One of the main aims of the setting is to support young people to reach their full potential and to prepare them for independence.

p.4

Summary

This interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to ensuring that relevant documentation, was made available in young people's case records and for improvements to the home to be carried out.

p.4

Summary

Being Healthy, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation were not looked at during this inspection. The safety of the young people was the main focus of this inspection. Staff ensure that the young people live in a safe environment and any issues or concerns that could affect their safety, is dealt with appropriately. The restorative justice approach is used with success to deal with difficult situations.

p.4

Summary

The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure that education plans for individual young people were in place and to improve the décor of the home. The manager has taken appropriate steps to comply with the recommendations.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The young people have their own individual bedrooms where they can enjoy private time alone. Staff promote this, by ensuring that they always knock on the door and wait until the young person invites them into the bedroom. This is good practice. All records are kept in a secure office and staff have a professional awareness of their responsibility to keep information confidential. This enhances the safeguarding of the young people.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people are familiar with the complaints procedure and they are confident that any complaint made, would be dealt with appropriately by the manager. The home practices the restorative justice approach. This involves the young person and staff discussing the issue and for an appropriate outcome to be agreed. The Children's Rights Service is available to support young people if they wish to use the complaints procedure. Young people can access a complaint 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033326 form from the office. There is however, no evidence of these forms being available around the home.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people are protected by staff who are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. Training in child protection is mandatory for all staff. This ensures that the young people are protected by staff who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities to keep them safe. All staff are currently required to up date their safeguarding knowledge by using an on line system provided by the local authority.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware that bullying can be an issue, although young people confirm that this is not currently the case at the home. Nevertheless, by using the restorative approach to discuss tensions or misunderstandings, staff are successful in defusing situations that could potentially lead to bullying taking place. Staff are trained in behaviour management and records indicate that restraint is rarely used. This is good practice. Restorative justice is the common method used to manage difficult or confrontational situations involving the young people. There are as well, other approaches taken by staff to defuse tense situations. In doing so the young people are encouraged to live safely together.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety of the young people is enhanced by regular fire drills being carried out in line with the fire officer's recommendations. All fire safety equipment and domestic appliances, are checked by appropriate contractors approved by the local authority.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate enquiries are carried out by the local authority on all applicants for employment and no one is able to commence duties, until an enhanced criminal record check is received. All references are subject to a telephone follow up by the manager. This is good practice and further promotes the safety of the young people.

p.5

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.5

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033326

p.6