Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

SC386003 Unique reference number 11 November 2009 Inspection date Anne Bannister 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: SC386003

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Brief description of the service

This four bedded children's home, one of three run by the company. It is a detached house with its own front and rear garden areas. The home has access to local facilities and provides accommodation and care for four young people of either gender, aged 12 years to 16 years. Single bedroom accommodation is provided for all young people. The service provided is primarily aimed at young people who have lived in one of the other homes registered by the company and who have been unable to return to families or foster families before their 13th birthday. The home has been established to ensure consistency of care to young people and to ensure they develop life skills for independence.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. As this was an interim inspection not all of the key national minimum standards were assessed. However, the inspection did assess how well the Registered Manager and staff protect and promote the safety of the young people in their care. The previous inspection had been the home's first key inspection since registration. Actions and recommendations made had all been appropriately addressed. 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 home have suitably addressed the four actions and two recommendations made at the last inspection. Permissions to administer first aid are on young people's files. Recruitment records now evidence discussions that have taken place with an applicant if issues have come to light on documentation from the Criminal Records Board. The records of any room searches are now signed by all staff involved in the search. The company has completed the review on behaviour management strategies used within the home and notified Ofsted of the outcome. Complaint records now indicate whether the complainant is satisfied with the outcome of any investigation undertaken. Behaviour management records have been adapted to ensure that the debriefing discussions which take place between staff and young people following a physical intervention are clearly evidenced.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Overall, the arrangements to safeguard and promote the safety and welfare of young people are judged as being satisfactory, with some outcomes for young people being assessed as outstanding. However, weaknesses identified in fire safety result in an overall judgement of satisfactory.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides the young people with a stable and safe environment. The home has systems in place to safeguard the young people from abuse. Staff spoken to were knowledgeable about their responsibilities for safeguarding the young people in their care. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC386003 The home operates an appropriate complaints procedure and ensures that the young people are given relevant information on the various ways to raise issues which they are not happy about. Records maintained ensure that young peoples views on the outcome on an investigation are clearly documented. Young people indicate that they generally sort issues out informally with staff. However, they do know how to use the formal process if they need to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All physical interventions and sanctions that have been imposed in response to unacceptable behaviours are appropriately recorded and are monitored by the Registered Manager to identify trends in behaviours and ensure staff consistency in response. All staff are trained in behaviour management techniques and are skilled at diverting the young people's negative behaviours into a more positive activity. All staff receive training in managing behaviour. The senior management team have completed a review of the techniques employed within the organisation and have determined to continue with this method of behaviour management. However, the review has resulted in the annual refresher training not being achieved. An action has been raised in relation to this issue.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are consistent in their application of early interventions to prevent situations from escalating. The inspector observed good working relationships between young people and staff. Staff work positively with young people and they encourage, praise, reinforce and reward acceptable behaviour actively supporting young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour is addressed and discussed with young people. Young people may be asked to replace items they have damaged. Young people indicate that 'the staff help me look at how I deal with things - instead of kicking off and ending up with a sanction I now give myself time out and then talk with them about things.' Young people are aware of the targets set in their placement plan in relation to managing their behaviours and are fully consulted in setting targets which help them achieve positive outcomes. Staff are fully aware of the types

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of sanctions they can use and those they must not use. Young people are aware of the types of rewards and sanctions used. All sanctions imposed on young people are fully recorded and the staff team are routinely reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of sanctions given.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not currently a problem in the home. Staff respond quickly and effectively when issues arise. Such incidents are documented and carefully monitored by the staff team. Young people spoken to indicate that staff are clear that bullying in any form is not acceptable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Since the previous inspection there have been few incidents were a young people had left the building without permission. On occasions when this does occur appropriate records are maintained, risk assessments reviewed and actions put in place to try to ensure that the young people do not continue to place themselves at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Evidence and observation show that the Registered Manager and the senior management team have a responsible attitude towards health and safety matters. The home has risk assessments in place for all aspects of the safety of the premises and grounds. There are also risk assessments relating to young people's behaviours and planned activities they undertake. These risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure young people's continued safety. Deficits were found in relation to fire safety procedures and fire risk assessments. These are the responsibility of the company facilities team. Fire drills and equipment checks have not been undertaken with required timescales. The fire risk assessment has recently been updated, but fails to reflect the all of the good practice implemented in the home. Actions and a recommendation have been made in relation to the issues identified. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC386003

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors are welcomed into the home once they have satisfied staff of their identity and the purpose of their visit, and have signed the visitors book. In relation to all other aspects of their care the home takes all reasonable measures are taken to ensure young people live in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operate recruitment procedures that meet with the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Children's Home Regulations 2001. This shows that the home takes all reasonable measures to ensure staff employed are suitable to work with young people.

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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

21 December 2009 ensure that the required frequency determined for staff refresher training in behaviour management techniques is maintained (Regulation 17) 21 December 2009 ensure that the testing of all fire equipment is undertaken in line with the Fire Authorities guidelines ( Regulation 32) 21 December 2009 ensure that fire drills are undertaken within the frequencies specified in the National Minimum Standards (Regulation 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): • review the recently updated fire risk assessment to ensure it adequately reflects the good practice implemented in the home. (NMS 26) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC386003

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