Children's Home run by Keys Education Ltd in Herefordshire

SC062074 Unique reference number 30 June 2009 Inspection date Martha Nethaway Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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8 October 2008 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 8 Inspection Report: SC062074

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to accommodate up to four young people of either gender from 11 to under 17 years of age. The service is part of a private company. The home is a detached property standing in its own grounds in a rural location. The home is close to another children's home, which is overseen by the same Registered Manager.

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Brief description of the service

The overall purpose of the service is to provide medium to long term placements for young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home's stated aim is to provide an environment in which young people can feel safe, cared for, supported and valued as individuals in their own right.

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Summary

This inspection was an unannounced full inspection visit. The outcome groups relating to Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation were assessed.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory. There are good outcomes being achieved with young people being supported in care planning, education and the level and standard of accommodation. Staff are a good performing team that celebrate young people's achievement and success.

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Summary

There is one action and one recommendation set as a result of this inspection visit. 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

At the last inspection the home was recommended to develop a leaving care plan that will contribute to the overall plan prepared by the local authority. The home has implemented a clear policy and accompanying procedures to achieve this recommendation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During May 2009 the regulator visited the home to complete an Ofsted investigation visit. As a result of this, the home was required to improve the arrangements promoting health care and care planning. This has now been achieved.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's physical, social and emotional needs are being addressed. Young people's health needs are clearly identified and planned for by staff. All young people have a personalised health care plan that adequately explains how health needs are assessed and what universal health services are being accessed. Staff maintain clear records in relation to appointments for young people's doctor, dentist and optician. Young people attend annual health appointments with the nurse who provides support to Looked After Children. This helps to keep a clear overview of all health related matters and address any particular health problems. Young people's emotional needs are further met having the opportunity to engage with a professional counselling and play therapist. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062074 Staff are generally able to manage medications correctly and safely by following the home's

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Helping children to be healthy

operational policies. Records show a true and accurate record of all medications prescribed and administered to young people. Generally the system for auditing and reviewing the written records is satisfactory. There was one area of weakness with how staff were dealing with young people who persistently refuse to take their medication. Staff had not followed the home's guidelines for making another appointment with the doctor to review the medication. Likewise, the senior management had not alerted staff to the inconsistency with staff practice and the operational policy of the home. As a result, the home had failed to report frequent refusal of medication to the relevant doctor.

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Helping children to be healthy

All young people are encouraged to consume a well balanced, healthy diet that takes account of their cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Young people are educated about the benefits of this through key worker sessions, through cooking within the home with staff support and through daily discussions. Young people are encouraged to take part in purchasing groceries for the home. They are also encouraged to be involved with preparing and cooking cooks meals. Young people experience meal times as sociable and enjoyable experiences because staff sit and eat their meals with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The safeguarding of young people's welfare is good. Staff are provided with good policies that address safeguarding, complaints, counteracting bullying, absconding and behaviour management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have received basic training in safeguarding and are aware of their role and level of responsibility to promote the welfare of young people. The senior management team have attended more advanced training. Senior staff correctly refer welfare matters to the local safeguarding team. They are aware of their responsibility in relation to the multi-agency perspective.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has in place a suitable complaints procedure. Young people are aware of the procedures and can easily use them. This is demonstrated through the records kept at the home. Senior staff show a sensitive and professional approach to resolving concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has had incidents where young people have left the home without permission from staff. Staff are provided with clear guidelines about the action and response to take in the event of a missing young person from their care. Staff commented, 'A great deal of our young people have joined us with concerns for their safety due to high levels of absconding. In many cases young people respond positively to staff and routines within the home and in most cases the young people’s absconding has reduced dramatically and in some cases has even stopped.' All events related to missing young people are reported to the police, placing authority and social worker. Senior management are responsible for reviewing all risk assessments in the light of any changing circumstances related to the vulnerability of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a environment that is safe and secure. Staff promote consistency and work hard to manage young people's behaviour safely. Young people's individualised risk assessments clearly describe a range of strategies to help them achieve acceptable standards of behaviours. Young people receive praise and positive feedback from staff. They reward and recognise areas of improvement. The home has ensured that staff receive adequate training and this includes 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062074 physical intervention training. The use of physical intervention is low and used only as a last resort. Staff do use sanctions and these include temporary confiscation of equipment, loss of unsupervised time and reparation which involves young people doing something to put right the wrong that they have done. Records show a fair and proportionate approach being adopted by staff towards young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has in place suitable systems to manage health and safety related to the day-to-day running of the home. All young people have an individualised risk assessment so that staff are able to reduce and prevent harm for young people. The home has in place general risk assessments related to activities in the home and out in the community. Risk assessments are viewed as an integral part of providing good care for young people. Staff are carrying out fire safety checks and fire drills and include the involvement of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff recruitment and selection checks were completed at the head office at the end of June 2009. Senior management continue to ensure that the home's recruitment and selection procedures are followed. No staff are employed at the home without the correct and suitable level of pre-employment checks. This ensures that staff are deemed suitable to work with vulnerable young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people are receiving good levels of individualised support that meets their specific needs from staff. All young people have an allocated key worker who provides individual quality time with them. They are given regular opportunities to express their views, wishes or feelings. Staff also use a range of tools and good quality surroundings to engage young people with undertaking work around self-esteem, self-worth and resilience. Young people are learning to take care of themselves in terms of their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's educational needs are being addressed. The provider has an off-site educational school facility which is being accessed by the home. Young people's attendance is good and staff provide good incentives that promotes a positive focus on education. Education of young people is actively promoted as valuable in itself and as part of their preparation for adulthood.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people who live at the home are assessed as needing to be cared for and the process to being admitted to the home is well planned. Staff obtain substantial background information which relates to health, welfare and educational needs. Staff complete an assessment and referral process that clearly prioritises the needs of young people. All young people admitted to the home have a documented care plan that covers areas related to a daily living plan, full risk assessments and a health plan. Young people are helped to settle into the home in a sensitive and planned manner. Staff are aware that it takes time and for young people to adjust to their new surroundings and living with new people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has formal and informal mechanisms in place to consult with young people. Staff organise regular 'house meetings' and young people actively participate in sharing their views and opinions about how the home is running. Young people also have regular opportunities to 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062074 meet with their key worker and this provides a good platform to discuss matters that directly affect them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff ensure that the overall effectiveness of care planning is good. All young people are provided with a placement plan that sets out their assessed needs and how the staff team will support them. There is a good emphasis placed on working towards the short-term and medium term goals. Staff commented 'young people are encouraged to read all their plans, risk assessments and comment on these'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people show that they have the capabilities to improve and staff give a sharp focus to this in young people's reviews. Young people's progress is being reviewed which includes the quality of care related to their health, education, identity and welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are supported and encouraged to maintain contact with their family and friends subject to safeguards for their safety and wellbeing which is in line with their plan of care. All contact arrangements are clearly stated in young people's case files and the outcomes of visits and contact are recorded.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive care which helps to prepare them for and support them into adulthood. The placement plans ensure that staff are providing adequate preparation and support for young people. Staff ensure that young people have the same opportunities and life chances when accessing education and training. Young people recognise that they can remain in the home until they are ready and willing to become more independent.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is homely and well maintained. Since the last inspection the communal areas have been repainted and likewise with corridor and stairways. The outside area is well maintained and cared for and this conveys a pleasant living environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home is well managed and the arrangements for the day-to-day management are effective in practice. The quality of care and support is good and young people's needs are being well met. The home has an accurate 'Statement of Purpose' that fully explains what young people can expect from the home. Similarly, young people receive a ‘Things You Should Know’ booklet which describes what support and facilities are available at the home.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. All staff complete training in this area. The home's policies and procedures in place ensure equal opportunities, anti oppressive and anti discrimination practice do take place. Staff at the home endeavour to identify, analyse and take action to counter discrimination in any form using strategies appropriate to their role and context.

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Organisation

Staff working at the home are a consistent and permanent staff group. There are a sufficient number of staff to meet the needs of young people. Continuity of care is maintained because staff are fully aware of the needs of young people. Staff use the handover meetings effectively between shifts so that decisions are clearly made and action taken. Staff moral is good because 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062074 the staff group are performing well at the home and are achieving good outcomes for young people.

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Organisation

The staff group are receiving good levels of training to help build and update their professional practice. The majority of staff are trained to Level 3 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) training. This ensures that staff are sufficiently competent to meet the demands of caring for young people.

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Organisation

The home has a monthly visit to check the quality of the care being provided that assess and evaluate young people's experience's of living at the home. These visits are carried out by a senior representative of the company. When the records were checked, there is clear evidence that not all visits have been carried out on a regular basis. This compromises the company's ability to accurately report on the welfare of the young people in the home.

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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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Due date Action Standard

31 July 2009 undertake monthly visits as set out in Regulation 33. 32

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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 young people are given medication as prescribed for them, any refusal to take medication is recorded and, if frequent, is reported to the prescribing practitioner. National Minimum Standard 13.7. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062074

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