Coniston House

SC379123 Unique reference number 5 February 2010 Inspection date Susan Mullin 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: SC379123

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Brief description of the service

The home offers placements for up to five young people who may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium to long-term care placements. The home's programme of care incorporates a structured balance of education, recreation and therapeutic interventions tailored to meet individual needs.

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Brief description of the service

Care is provided in large detached, family-style house in an urban location. It has the benefit of easy access to the comprehensive range of recreational and leisure amenities in the local expanding new town. The house has been modernised and refurbished to offer a spacious living environment with individual rooms for young people.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection focussed on the staying safe outcome, as identified in 'Every Child Matters'. Other outcomes were not assessed during this visit, as they were assessed as good in enjoying and achieving and making a positive contribution and satisfactory in staying safe, being healthy, economic well being and organisation, when last inspected and will be the focus of the next visit to the service.

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Summary

There were two young people in residence at the time of the inspection with three vacancies. One young person who engaged in conversation with the inspector, spoke favourably about the home and of the staff.

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Summary

The home encourages young people to make a positive contribution to life in the home. The home is well managed and young people benefit from living in an environment that is centred on meeting their individual needs. 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

Following the last inspection, five actions were raised and the responsible individual has completed all of them. The Statement of Purpose has been amended so that it accurately includes details of the current staff group, their roles and qualifications. The second and third action was for the responsible person to ensure that all staff are recruited in line with regulations, this has also been implemented. The fourth action raised was to ensure that there is a lone working policy available for all staff in the home, this has been addressed. The fifth action was to ensure that all unused medication is returned to the chemist in a timely manner which has also been met. Three recommendations that were set have been addressed. The first to ensure an impact assessment is undertaken on each potential admission, which may have an effect on the well-being of young people already accommodated in the home. Secondly, to ensure that

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Improvements since the last inspection

all required details under schedule 3 is contained within young people' case files. Thirdly, young people are now encouraged to sign their pathway plans.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC379123

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. There are good arrangements to ensure that the young person’s safety is promoted within the home. Staff agree clear boundaries with the young person and behaviour plans are based on rewarding positive behaviour. Sanctions imposed generally relate to leisure activities and reparation. The practice of not prolonging disputes is proving effective. On some occasions it has been necessary for staff to physically restrain young people. The number of these incidents is not excessive and are only undertaken to prevent a young person from causing harm to themselves or others. All care staff have completed the required restraint training. Records of restraint are not fully recorded in line with regulation, whilst all the information required was seen in the main body of the care plans, not all the information had been transferred in to the restraint volume. However, this was discussed at the inspection and procedures were put into

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good level of staff supervision and there are robust risk assessments in place, that are formulated with all staff involved, implemented well and reviewed regularly. There are clear instructions for staff to follow in the event of a young person going missing. There are procedures in place for dealing with complaints and this is brought to the attention of each young person on admission. This is done verbally by staff and further endorsed in the young person's guide to the home. Young people are enabled to use an advocate if they wish to do so.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are guidelines for staff in relation to privacy and confidentiality. Searches of the young person's room are only conducted for legitimate reasons and these are outlined in staff guidance. Young people have good access to make private telephone calls. Young people are encouraged to be involved in their care planning and encouraged to make written comments in their records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have received training in child protection and the local guidelines are available in the home. There are good arrangements for ensuring the physical safety of the staff and young people. Risks are assessed on a regular basis and appropriate checks are undertaken on equipment in the home. Fire drills are held on a regular basis which include day and night evacuations and involves all staff and young people. These practices further promote young people's safety in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are being protected from exposure to potential abusers in that there is thorough vetting of staff to establish their suitability. Visitors' access to young people is strictly monitored, which results in the young people feeling safe in the home and comfortable with the people employed there.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC379123

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC379123

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