Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

SC390293 Unique reference number 6 August 2009 Inspection date Robert Curr Inspector Key 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 9 Inspection Report: SC390293

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Brief description of the service

This setting provides up to three long term placements for young people aged between 10 and 17 years. The accommodation consists of four single bedrooms and spacious communal areas for eating, studying and relaxing. The home is in a rural hamlet approximately five miles from the city centre. One of the main aims of the setting is to provide facilities to enable young people to achieve positive changes in their lives.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection and all of the key standards were checked. This is the first inspection since the setting was registered.

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Summary

This is an inadequate service with some good features. Young people's education is encouraged and promoted. Leisure needs are met and a multi-disciplinary approach ensures young people's views are taken into account when planning their future.

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Summary

The recruitment procedures are not followed, resulting in poor selection and vetting practices. There is no evidence that an effective system is in place to decide upon the appointment, or refusal of appointment of staff that will have regular contact with young people at the home. Criminal Records Bureau guidelines are not followed.

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Summary

There is no training on equality and diversity at this time although the staff demonstrate an appreciation that individual young people may have a range of possible needs arising from diversity.

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Summary

The service is not closely monitored. There is no evidence that the organisation seeks the views of the parents of young people or their placing authorities with regard to the quality of care provided.

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Summary

There are sufficient experienced staff. Records show that staff are not adequately supported and the overall qualification recommendation is not met. The overall quality rating is inadequate. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since the service was registered.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people benefit from healthy and nutritious meals. They are well supported to become involved in choosing and preparing their own food. Information about food values and healthy eating are shared and considerations of healthy diets are encouraged.

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Helping children to be healthy

Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered as part of planned menus. Young people enjoy a variety of dishes that reflect the preferences of the group. Young people said that they sometimes choose to have a take away and have the opportunity to increase their understanding of different cultures. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293 The health needs of each individual young person are carefully identified and regular links with healthcare professional services that meet individual needs, are sought. Records are maintained and show that dentists, opticians, and the Looked After Children's (LAC) nurse have been used as required. Staff demonstrate a genuine concern for the young people who receive positive support within the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The administration of medication is monitored and safely stored to ensure young people’s health is protected. However, not all disused medication has been returned to the pharmacist.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Some unacceptable systems are in place to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel their privacy is maintained at the home. Staff demonstrate respect for young people by not entering their bedrooms without permission. Not all toilets used by the young people are fitted with appropriate locks to ensure privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All confidential information is kept in lockable cabinets. Not all young people have access to their own telephones to make and receive calls. Although the manager highlighted significant concerns around one young persons contact arrangements, there was no agreement in place from the placing authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sufficient space is available to enable young people to meet with visitors and have key work sessions in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaint forms are readily available for young people. All concerns are taken seriously by the staff team. Young people are fully aware of the complaints policy and feel their concerns are addressed promptly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to report child protection concerns. The home has links with the placing authority and police. Staff have received relevant training. Sensitivity is demonstrated by staff in their understanding of the complex needs of young people who have experienced different aspects of abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk assessments are not in place for managing young people who go missing without consent. This does not detail for staff what support should be available for young people when they return to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Anti-bullying is promoted in the home in line with the home's policies and procedures. Young people agree that they do not always get on with each other but confirm there is no bullying at the home. Staff endeavour to create a harmonious atmosphere and openly challenge any form of bullying including verbal abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management involves rewards for positive behaviour. Young people are aware of the consequences of their unacceptable behaviour that can result in the temporary withdrawal of a privilege. It is clear that when measures of control are put in place, staff consider the age and understanding of the young person concerned. Restraint has not been used to manage behaviour, although staff receive training in the use of such interventions. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293 Effective systems are in place to ensure all statutory health and safety checks are carried out within the required timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear and accurate fire safety records are held. Regular fire drills take place and checks on fire fighting equipment are up to date. All staff have undertaken fire safety training at the required frequency. This upholds the health and safety of the young people residing at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Not all relevant vetting checks for staff are completed prior to them commencing employment at the home. Other omissions include staff not completing application forms for the appropriate posts. This prevents the manager from carrying out a complete audit against the required information. This does not protect young people from being exposed to potential abusers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Care plans reflect the individual needs of young people and are based on initial assessments with regular reviews of progress. Two young people said that their key workers set up regular meetings for them to 'discuss things'. It was clearly evident that key workers have developed positive relationships with the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The range of activities is good. Young people enjoy outings to the cinema, museums and other outside activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational achievement is valued and young people are well supported with accessing a variety of educational placements. Staff make good use of the local education provision.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School and educational attendance is strongly encouraged, even with people who have a history of poor school attendance and exclusion. All staff strive to overcome this issue and have developed ongoing contact with the educational establishments. Young people have up to date Personal Education Plans and have access to computers to undertake schoolwork or pursue leisure interests. The consistent approach to education offered to the young people has resulted in them engaging in their individual education programme. This is certainly improving young people's prospects in later life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from placement plans which set out how the home will meet their assessed needs. Reviews and reports are up to date which enables staff to measure any progress that has been made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain valued relationships with family and friends through appropriate contact arrangements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the young people are positive about their involvement in the day to day running of the home. The young people’s views were sought and acted upon. Two staff described ways in which they encourage the young people to make decisions about their lives and influence the way that the home is run. This included using the residents meeting forum and one to one sessions to ensure that the young people can make informed decisions. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293 Staff have attended a variety of training courses. During discussions with staff it is clear that they are able to fully understand the perspective of the young people with whom they work. Staff respond appropriately and constructively to challenge the young people's use of inappropriate or offensive language. Interactions between staff and young people are genuinely positive and relationships formed are valued.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Staff encourage young people to develop the skills they will need in adulthood. For example, young people are given incentives to complete tasks and to achieve targets. They are encouraged to learn basic life skills, such as keeping their own rooms clean and tidy, planning menus and budgeting. However, one young person's leaving care plans are not clear. There is no formal pathway plan. This does not make clear what the responsibilities of the home are.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to a very high standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment appropriate to the age and culture of the young people living there. The interior and exterior of the home are maintained to an excellent state of structural and decorative repair. The manager has a clear maintenance and repair programme and any damage is repaired promptly.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Each young person has a single room of a suitable size. Each room has a single bed, seating, storage and lockable safe storage for personal possessions.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The young people confirmed that they are able and encouraged to personalise their bedrooms.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The manager works hard to maintain appropriate links within the community. This enables the young people to have positive relationships with immediate neighbours.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The management of this setting is not providing effective leadership of the home’s operation.

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Organisation

This is a positive learning environment for staff. The staff team are motivated and professional. The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory, although the proprietor has begun to provide a comprehensive equality and diversity training package.

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Organisation

The Statement of Purpose clearly sets out what the home will provide and the way in which this will be achieved. This is presented in a way that is easily understood by young people and their families. A guide to the service is given to all young people on their first visit.

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Organisation

The registered manager and staff do not receive supervision sessions at the recommended intervals. This is not providing them with support and professional guidance. A number of training events have been provided. The manager maintains a training matrix. This results in clear and up to date training records.

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Organisation

Staffing levels on the day of the inspection were appropriate. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293 Young peoples welfare is safeguarded by a committed staff team. The staff are in varying stages of achieving a qualification at National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. Currently the overall qualification recommendation is not met.

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Organisation

There are very limited quality assurance processes in place. There has only been one monthly monitoring visit since the service was registered. The manager also produces a monthly report that includes issues raised by key workers. The quality assurance processes do not include consultations with children or social workers.

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Organisation

Young people's individual case files are confidentially stored and are arranged in a manner which make them readily accessible to staff. This upholds the privacy of young people if they wish to read their record. Young people are aware that they can access their files and have done so.

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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

27 August 2009 dispose of any unused medicines (Regulation 21) 13 27 August 2009 produce risk assessments relating to young people being absent without authority (Regulation 17) 27 August 2009 obtain written consent from placing authorities when imposing a restriction, prohibition or condition upon a child's contact with any person (Regulation 15) 6 August 2009 record evidence of appropriate and satisfactory recruitment checks as detailed in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26) 27 August 2009 ensure there is a robust monitoring system when visiting the children's home (Regulation 33) 31 August 2009 prepare a written report on the conduct of the home and supply a copy to Ofsted (Regulation 33).

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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): • obtain a pathway plan, ensuring it relates to the needs of the individual and is signed by the relevant parties (NMS 6) • ensure all toilet door locks can only be opened by staff in an emergency (NMS 25) • provide new staff with one to one supervision at least fortnightly during the first six months of their employment (NMS 28) • provide the registered manager with professional supervision arrangements (NMS 28) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293 • ensure that 80 per cent of the staff team achieve the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent (NMS 29). 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390293

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