Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

SC032167 Unique reference number 4 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: SC032167

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Brief description of the service

This home provides up to 10 respite placements for children and young people who have physical and or learning disabilities aged from six to 17 years of age. The accommodation consists of 10 single bedrooms and communal areas for eating, studying and relaxing. The home is in a residential area, approximately five miles from the town centre, and is close to public transport and schools. There are waking night staff on duty. The home owns their own mini-bus and there are beds and cots suitable for the children and young people who use this service. Hoists are fitted in bathrooms.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The home continues to provide good care for children and young people within the city. Another home within the city has suspended their service in order for the home to be refurbished and a number of young people have moved to this home to enable them to continue to have the planned respite.

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Summary

One recommendation was made at this inspection relating to the use of restraints not to be used in order to force a young person to comply with an instruction. 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 worked hard to address the recommendations made at the last inspection. Epilepsy protocols are in place for all young people who have seizures ensuring appropriate action is taken. There is clear guidance to staff on what action they should take when a child or young person gets lost while on an outing. Risk assessments have been reviewed ensuring these are up to date. The Statement of Purpose has been amended to include a staffing policy demonstrating the staffing of the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation and the requirement related to having a number of 18 year old young people living permanently at the home; as they have all moved onto appropriate placements these are no longer relevant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Epilepsy protocols have been produced clearly setting out how young people present prior to, during and post seizure, with clear guidance to staff when intervention is required. This ensures that young people are cared for appropriately during an episode.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032167 Staff are vigilant in ensuring children and young people's privacy and dignity is preserved when delivering personal care. Children and young people's files are kept securely ensuring confidentiality is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An individual from the customer services department has attended a team meeting to discuss the handling of complaints ensuring staff know how they handle any concerns raised. Complaints are dealt with sensitively and appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of their responsibility in ensuring young people are kept safe and know what action to take if there are any concerns. All staff have attended safeguarding training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the children and young people present any bullying behaviour. However, staff are vigilant in ensuring the more vulnerable young people do not attend the service at the same time as more boisterous individuals to ensure the safety of all.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the children and young people leave the home unsupervised. The missing person's policy includes guidance to staff on what action they should take in the event of a child or young person going missing while out on a trip. This is in good detail.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A behaviour management plan is in place for those children and young people who present challenging behaviours. The home organises monthly progress meetings where each individual is discussed and strategies identified to help manage the child or young person. There are very few restraints recorded, in the main these are appropriate although one could be construed as enforcing compliance. Sanctions recorded are appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have received fire safety training and are involved in regular fire drills ensuring every one knows what action to take in the event of a fire. A designated person is responsible for developing the risk assessments and is part of an authority wide group to coordinate these. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly ensuring that these are relevant.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The Registered Manager audits the recruitment and staff files to ensure that all the required documentation is in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The Statement of Purpose has been amended to include a staffing policy giving clear information of the staffing arrangements for different circumstances, depending upon the needs of the children and young people attending the service. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032167

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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): • ensure restraint is not used to enforce compliance with instructions. (NMS 22.7) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032167

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