Children's Home run by Future In Mind Limited in Staffordshire

SC063653 Unique reference number 23 November 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 5 Inspection Report: SC063653

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Brief description of the service

This home provides care and accommodation for two children aged between 6 years and under 16 with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is a small, three bedroom terraced house, situated close to local amenities. The service provides a specialist therapeutic programme and staff practice therapeutic techniques under supervision of a qualified therapist who is also a director of the organisation.

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Summary

This inspection was unannounced and focussed on the key standards in the Every Child Matters outcome group of staying safe. It also looked at progress to rectify two recommendations raised at the last inspection in July 2009 in relation to the home's overall records. No children were present during this inspection.

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Summary

The last inspection found the service to be good in all areas of practice and this inspection makes no change to that judgement. 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 organisation demonstrates a commitment to meeting the national minimum standards and to developing good quality care for young people. The home was recommended to ensure the records in relation to complaints outlined the outcome of the complaint and this is now in place. Also children are given the opportunity to record their feelings following an incident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people are clearly benefiting from a service that has a strong focus on safeguarding and protection matters. Operational policies, procedures and staff guidance are used effectively to promote everybody's safety and welfare. Young people are frequently and consistently engaged by staff in how to keep themselves and others safe. Young people benefit from living in a home where there are clear arrangements in place to ensure staff are trained and well informed about effective safeguarding practices. Young people are fully protected because staff recognise and understand their role in child protection and know what action to take if there are concerns. There is now clear records in relation to any safeguarding incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information held on behalf of all young people is correctly stored in lockable facilities. Staff are aware of their responsibilities to promote privacy and confidentiality and their practice is consistent with the home's guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home where bullying is not allowed and where any form of unwanted behaviour is challenged. Staff provide regular and specific feedback to young people about their behaviour with a clear focus on setting fair and reasonable boundaries. Young people 4 of 5 Inspection Report: SC063653 understand what is expected of them and they are rewarded, they are given clear incentives for good behaviour. Staff have completed the required training to ensure that should a physical intervention become necessary it is consistent with guidance. Records demonstrate that very few physical interventions occur. Young people are afforded the opportunity to say how they feel following an incident and this is now being well recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff listen to what young people have to say and this creates an atmosphere where any complaints or concerns are acted upon promptly. Young people have confidence in the home's ability to resolve any complaints or grumbles they may have. This is well recorded in the consultation booklets. Listening to young people is a key feature of how the home keeps everyone safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good systems in place which are used successfully for young people when they are absent without authority. Risk assessments are recorded in relation to each young person’s vulnerability when absent from the home and staff follow a protocol with the local police. This helps to safeguard young people’s welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home protects young people by ensuring a range of environmental risk assessments have been undertaken and regularly reviewed. The risk assessments cover all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds, including fire and young people's behaviour and activities. These assessments are taken into account in the daily activities in the home. A similar process is followed for activities outside of the home, for example, trips out. The fire log book shows that there are regular checks of the alarm systems and the home has completed the required number of fire drills or evacuations.

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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. 5 of 5 Inspection Report: SC063653

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