Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

SC066120 Unique reference number 18 January 2010 Inspection date Nicola McEvinney Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 August 2009 Date of last 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: SC066120

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Brief description of the service

This home is situated close to the city centre, built in 2005 for the city council. It is a purpose-built unit designed to accommodate up to six young people with physical and/or sensory impairment on a shared care arrangement, with some young people staying weekdays and others spending weekends at the home.

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Brief description of the service

The home stands in its own grounds with a garden to the side and rear where there is a range of outside play equipment that has been fixed onto a soft play surface. The home has decking to the front overlooking a local public park. There is parking for staff and visitors and external close circuit security cameras in operation.

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Brief description of the service

The home has a main office and second office for staff to work in and to have handover sessions and staff meetings. This office also securely stores young people's files.

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Brief description of the service

There are two lounges, one with a television and one with a music system and books for the young people; this lounge is used as a quiet room and has patio doors leading to the decked patio area. There is a central play area equipped with a number of appropriate activities and effective lighting for the young people. Leading off from this area is a sensory room and a soft playroom.

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Brief description of the service

There are six bedrooms, each having a sink and vanity unit and lockable storage space. Some bedrooms have carpets but there are also bedrooms with a washable floor covering.

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Brief description of the service

There is one waking night staff on duty with a sleep-in staff member. However, dependent upon the needs of the young people there may be two waking night staff.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check on the progress made on the recommendation made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are kept safe.

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Summary

There are some good aspects to this home; in particular young people are cared for by a competent and caring staff team who are committed to providing a good standard of care to young people.

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Summary

The recommendation made at the last inspection which related to providing the home with its own transport remains outstanding. 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

Although the local authority are discussing the funding to provide the home with appropriate transport to enable the young people to be taken out, this recommendation has not been met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066120

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff are vigilant in ensuring young people's dignity is respected by ensuring their privacy is not compromised. Young people's files are kept securely to maintain confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home maintains a complaints log and complaints are dealt with appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of safeguarding issues; all staff have received some safeguarding training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the young people display bullying behaviour, although staff closely supervise the young people to ensure that any aggressive behaviour does not put individuals at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are well supervised and the home is kept secure, ensuring none of the young people leave the home without being accompanied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although restraints and sanctions logs are maintained, there are no entries. All staff have either had refresher control and restraint training or are in the process of receiving this. Each young person has an individual crisis management plan identifying the triggers to behaviours with clear strategies identified to manage individuals; this ensures a consistent approach to care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety checks are carried out as appropriate. Fire records are in good order with drills held at night to ensure that all staff know what action to take in the event of a fire. Risk assessments are in place for each young person, the premises and activities, identifying risks with strategies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The home is dependent upon staffing to allow for the collection and return of transport from other parts of the city when outings are planned, as it does not have its own mode of transport. This impacts on the opportunities young people have to go on outings and take part in external activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This judgement remains the same as this was the only aspect that was assessed at this inspection.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066120

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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): • consider having appropriate transport to enable young people to readily participate in activities outside the home. (NMS 15.1) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066120

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