Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

SC033723 Unique reference number 7 January 2010 Inspection date Nicola McEvinney 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: SC033723

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Brief description of the service

This is a purpose-built children’s home, which is owned by a local authority. The home is situated at the head of a cul-de-sac, on a residential housing estate. It is within easy reach of a number of local amenities, which provide a wide range of facilities that the young people living at the home are able to make use of.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides medium to long-term care for up to five females, between the ages of 10 and 17 years with emotional or behavioural difficulties .

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Brief description of the service

Each young person has a single bedroom, which are all on the first floor of the house. All bedrooms are kept locked and each young person has their own key. There are two staff sleeping-in rooms. There is a choice of bathing facilities and toilets. On the ground floor there is a dining room with conservatory attached, separate lounge area and a domestic kitchen. There is also a laundry room and two offices.

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Brief description of the service

There are gardens to the front, side and rear of the property, but the back garden has a steep incline. There is no designated parking.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check that the requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met and to ensure that young people are kept safe.

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Summary

There are some good aspects to this home, the young people continue to be cared for by a competent staff team who are committed in providing a good level of care for the young people accommodated.

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Summary

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this 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 addressed the requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection. Each young person has had a health needs assessment and consent to the administration of non-prescription medication and first aid has been obtained from the person with parental responsibility.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a written record of all complaints made, including details of any investigation with the outcome clearly recorded.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Each young person has had a health needs assessment undertaken, ensuring any health needs are identified. The consent to the administration of non-prescription medication and emergency first aid has been obtained from the person who holds parental responsibility. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033723

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff have a good awareness of confidentiality and young people's files are kept securely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Internal complaints are recorded and dealt with appropriately. External complaints are thoroughly investigated with the outcome clearly recorded, ensuring a transparent approach to managing complaints.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of safeguarding issues particularly where young people are at risk of sexual exploitation. The majority of the staff team have attended safeguarding training and have also attended courses arranged by an organisation working with young people who are involved in sexual exploitation. The home organises a weekly girls group to promote young people's self esteem. For example, sexual health issues and keeping themselves safe are explored in a variety of ways including quizzes. Young people are keen participants in this group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home maintains a bullying log to monitor incidents of bullying. However, the incidents of bullying are infrequent and young people confirm that they feel safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a missing person's protocol with the police and work with other agencies involved with young people who are involved in exploitative relationships. Young people are given support when they return to the home after having unauthorised absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have recently attended refresher training on control and restraint that has equipped them to manage young people's behaviour. Each young person has an individual crisis management plan identifying triggers and strategies to manage behaviours, this ensures a consistent approach. A number of appropriate sanctions are recorded, although young people are able to earn back their sanction by doing something constructive. For example, clearing the garden of litter and cigarette ends. Very few restraints are recorded, these are appropriate and are generally used to prevent violence escalating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk assessments are in place for each young person identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise this risk. Fire records are in good order with drills held regularly ensuring all know what action to take in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All visitors to the home have their identification checked ensuring young people are kept safe in the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC033723

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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: SC033723

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