Children's Home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Cumbria

SC356907 Unique reference number 9 March 2010 Inspection date Anne Bannister Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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4 November 2009 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 7 Inspection Report: SC356907

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Brief description of the service

This seven bedded children's home is one of two run by the company. There is also a purpose-built school on site. It is a detached house with its own extensive grounds. The home has access to a range of local facilities in a nearby town. Young people living in the home also have access to the facilities available in the city, which is approximately 20 minutes away. The site provides education and care for boys aged 10 to 17 years who have emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, including learning difficulties within or outside the autistic spectrum of disorder. The home provides en-suite accommodation for seven young people and separate school facilities for up to 14 learners aged 10 to 17 years. Communal areas include two lounges, a games room, a dining room and kitchen.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection was to follow up the actions and recommendations made at the previous inspection. In addition, the key standards for staying safe were also reviewed. Due to the limitations of the inspection, the overall quality rating made at the key inspection remains as it was.

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Summary

The inspection found that young people are protected from harm by a staff team who have a sound understanding of the action to take to safeguard welfare. However, improvements are needed to the home's recruitment process which has failed to adhere to the organisations previously stringent practice.

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Summary

Young people receive consistent support to help them develop socially acceptable behaviour. Staff are skilled in the use of distraction and diffusion techniques which minimises the need for physical intervention. Young people feel secure that if they have an issue or any concern they are able to raise it informally and staff will listen to them and try to resolve their concerns. 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

Three actions and five recommendations made at the last inspection have been suitably addressed, or are in the process of being addressed in the case of ensuring staff with supervision responsibilities receive appropriate training to equip them for this role.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has revised the documentation it maintains to ensure that consent is obtained for the administration of non prescribed medication and that records of room searches meets the requirements of Standard 9.8 of the national minimum standards for children's homes. When young people are absent without permission the records maintained confirm that they have been given the opportunity to speak with someone outside of the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home ensures that, contrary to the local authorities safeguarding guidelines, minor injuries received as a result of a physical intervention are notified to Ofsted under safeguarding procedures. Minutes of young people's meetings now indicate that young people receive feedback on issues raised during residents' meetings. Recruitment records now ensure that during the course of an interview explanations for any gaps in employment are documented. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC356907

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. An action made following the previous inspection was followed up. The home now ensures that written consent is obtained for young people to be given non prescribed medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Overall, the arrangements to safeguard and promote the safety and welfare of young people are good, with many outcomes for young people being assessed as outstanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people indicate that their privacy is respected. All young people have access to their own bathrooms. Young people are issued with a key to their bedroom. Young people's files are maintained securely. The home has a policy on recording incidents for when young people's rooms are searched, which safeguards young people's privacy in such situations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to access the complaints procedure, and documentation viewed confirms that issues they raise are appropriately responded to. They are confident the manager will address any issues raised and feel they get a positive response from staff when sharing their concerns informally. Young people indicate that 'staff listen to you and sort issues out. If they can't sort it they tell you why.'

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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 recorded and are monitored by the Registered Manager to identify trends in behaviours. The home does not generally use physical interventions which take young people to the ground. On the rare occasions this does occur, the manager will review the incident in line with the homes complaints procedures, to ensure that staff only use this form of intervention as a last resort. This process is implemented even if the young person does not want to make a complaint about the incident. All staff are trained in behaviour management techniques and are skilled at diverting the young people's negative behaviours into a more positive activity. The staff team overviews the effectiveness of all sanctions given to young people to ensure that challenging behaviours are being appropriately responded to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no safeguarding referrals since the previous inspection. However, two incidents have been discussed with the Local Authority Designated Officer to determine whether they required referral under safeguarding guidelines. He had confirmed that he was happy with the actions the home had taken and that a referral was not necessary. Notification of these discussions was in the process of being made to Ofsted at the beginning of the inspection. Safeguarding young people and keeping them from harm is given priority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Missing from home reporting is in line with a locally established police protocol. There have been no reports since the last inspection. Documentation now in place ensures that when such incidents occur young people will be given the opportunity to reflect on the incident and to speak with someone outside the home about the reasons that resulted in them failing to return. This allows potential safeguarding matters to be identified. The safety of each of the young people is given paramount consideration. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC356907 Bullying is not viewed as a problem by young people who confirm staff will quickly intervene if an incident occurs. The staffing levels and their deployment around the home are designed to alleviate opportunities of bullying and ensure general safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The health and safety of the premises is being managed well. Certification show servicing and maintenance of the electrical and gas installations and there is regular portable appliance testing. The premises fire risk assessment is being reviewed annually. Practice fire drills are carried out each month. Risk assessments are being maintained to support the home's operation and young people's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment procedures meet with the requirements of Schedule 2 of the Children's Home Regulations 2001. However, on two files examined the procedures in place had not been fully implemented and staff had taken up post prior to all checks and references being completed. During this time they commenced induction and shadowed experienced staff members. They were not allowed unsupervised access to young people. This practice does not conform to safe recruitment guidance and is contrary to the home's previous good practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Not all key standards were judged under this section, so the good judgment, remains the same as at the last inspection. Management had responded to two recommendations made at the last inspection. Documentation maintained now evidences that young people receive feedback on issues they raise in residents' meetings. The manager also now ensures that admission documentation reflects the level of discussion that takes place on the impact of the proposed admission on the existing group of young people .

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Not all key standards were judged under this section, so the good judgment, remains as it was at the last inspection. Management had responded to a recommendation previously made that all staff with supervision responsibilities receive training from an external provider to equip them with the skills to undertake their role. The manager was able to show that he has investigated such training opportunities. An external company has agreed to present the training for all staff who hold such responsibilities within the organisation. Management are awaiting dates from the training company to address this identified training need before the end of April. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC356907

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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

23 April 2010 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Regulation 26. (Regulation 26)

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC356907

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