Children's Home run by Archways Care Limited in Worcestershire

SC383941 Unique reference number 18 August 2009 Inspection date Carole Moore 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 7 Inspection Report: SC383941

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home for four young people between the ages of eight and 18 with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It offers care to children on a medium to long-term basis and provides a nurturing environment in which to develop and prepare the young people for a return to family, foster care or independent living. The home is a detached residence with sufficient car parking space to the side of the house and a large garden at the rear. The home can access public transport and there is also a wide range of leisure activities in the close vicinity. The house has been tastefully decorated to a high specification, but remains homely.

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Summary

This unannounced, interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the action and recommendations made at the last inspection in April 2009. This related to record keeping, updating the young person's guide and supervision.

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Summary

'Being healthy',' enjoying and achieving' 'making a positive contribution' and 'achieving economic wellbeing' were not looked at during this inspection. The key standards in relation to 'staying safe' and some standards in 'organisation' were inspected. Four young people were present throughout the inspection.

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Summary

Young people are clearly benefiting from living in a home that has a strong emphasis on promoting their welfare and safety. They are receiving a sound level of care and support because staff are enthusiastic, dedicated and well informed about their needs and circumstances. The manager and senior staff provide practical leadership that supports the staff to deliver consistent care and support.

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Summary

At the last full inspection the home was judged as satisfactory. Following this inspection the overall judgement remains the same. This judgement will be reviewed at the home's next full inspection when all key National Minimum Standards will be re-assessed. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The management and staff responded positively to the action and recommendations that were made at the previous key inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home was required to ensure that that a person not managing the home monitors the welfare of the children on a monthly basis and this is now in place. Fire drills now show the time of the drill as well as the date and staff are ensuring that restraint records are all appropriately signed and dated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The young person's guide now includes the telephone number for Ofsted and all new staff receive one to one supervision at least fortnightly during the first six months of their employment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC383941

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is in its first year of operation and is effectively organised and managed to ensure young people are safe and well cared for. Where concerns are raised the registered manager works within a multi-agency framework to ensure young people are kept safe. The registered manager ensures that staff are equipped and trained with the knowledge and understanding to fulfil their roles and responsibilities regarding protection and safeguarding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are policies and procedures covering privacy and confidentiality. The staff are able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of them in their day-to-day practice. Young people's privacy is respected and they are able to enjoy their own private space. Visitors are welcome at the home and rooms are made available for young people to have visits in private if appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear procedures for responding to child protection concerns and a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is kept in the home. All staff have been trained in child protection and this will be regularly updated. Staff monitor all visitors to the home, who are required to provide evidence of their identity and sign a visitors' book and this ensures young people are not being exposed to potential risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear systems in place for managing young people who go missing without consent. Individual plans and risk assessments are in place concerning the action to take when young people are missing without consent. Good links are in place with key agencies, such as the police and placing authority. Young people receive guidance regarding the potential dangers of absconding. All significant events are reported to the relevant agencies as set out in Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are sensitive to the risk of bullying within and outside the home. There is an anti-bullying policy which supports and directs interventions to address bullying. The home takes care in assessing the compatibility of young people who are admitted to reduce the likelihood of bullying. The home is able to monitor young people's relationships with each other as young people have constant supervision. As a result of the home's practices young people are protected from bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has good systems in place to deal with any complaints and concerns. Young people know how to complain and are able to address any niggles with staff on duty. The home manages complaints quickly through the young person's meetings and one to one time with staff to achieve outcomes that are acceptable to young people. There have been no complaints since registration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to behave well, to establish, achieve and maintain levels of behaviour that are socially acceptable. For example, the home's records not only detail sanctions used for inappropriate behaviour but also positive consequences and rewards for behaviour that deserves congratulations and praise. Staff are acutely aware of the need to balance their interventions with positive feedback about young people's achievements. There is positive and effective interaction between staff and the young people and lots of friendly banter. Staff appear very comfortable with their role; observation and records identify they clearly understand 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC383941 the need for boundaries while maintaining a high quality relationship between themselves and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The records kept in the home show that procedures are in place to protect young people from fire. There are records to show that all the fire systems are regularly tested. Staff and young people undertake fire drills and now all staff record the time of the drill as well as the date. Relevant certificates show that regular servicing and maintenance is completed on all equipment. Certificates of Public and Employer liability are displayed as required. The manager ensures that utilities, domestic equipment and vehicles are checked to ensure they are safe to use and provides physical safety and security for the young people who live in the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home is well managed and young people are cared for by a motivated and committed team of staff who understand their roles and responsibilities well.

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Organisation

The home provides a wide range of information about its stated aims and purpose and there is a young person's handbook reflecting the age and understanding of the young people in placement, detailing all there is to know about the home. This handbook has been amended to display the name and telephone number of Ofsted.

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Organisation

Staff receive supervision on a regular basis to enable them to reflect on their practice, learning and future development and all new members of staff are now receiving fortnightly supervision. Team meetings take place regularly and are a further forum to share good practice. There is a clear staffing structure with clear lines of accountability in the home. Staff are supported by senior members of staff who are sufficiently experienced to lead the shift. The home has clear deputising arrangements in the absence of the registered manager and there is a formal on-call system to ensure additional support is available from experienced staff if needed. Young people are supported by a staff team who ensure the home maintains a flexible approach to providing care. There are sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the individual needs of all the young people. All staff are provided with training opportunities to ensure they are always equipped

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Organisation

The home is monitored on a monthly basis by one of the Directors who does not have any direct management responsibility for the home. All reports of visits were up to date and available for inspection. Monitoring included checking relevant records, meeting with staff and young people. Good practice is commended and recommendations are left to manage shortfalls in practice. The Registered Manager also completes regular monthly monitoring of the home to address all areas detailed in Schedule 6. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC383941

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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. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC383941

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