Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

SC044975 Unique reference number 30 September 2009 Inspection date Kristen Judd Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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19 February 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 9 Inspection Report: SC044975

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Brief description of the service

The service is owned and managed by the local authority. The home provides respite care and accommodation for 12 children aged between five and under 18 years old. The home accommodates children who have emotional or behavioural difficulties, learning or physical disabilities.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in a residential area. It is separated into three flats, each accommodating up to four children. Each flat comprises of a lounge with a television, kitchen, dining and bathrooms. Children have their own bedrooms. There are gardens to the rear of the building which are accessible from each of the flats. The gardens have both paved and grassed areas suitable for playing games. There are 12 children residing in the home at any one time.

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced key inspection was to gauge the homes success in addressing issue that had been highlighted at the previous inspection and to assess the service against key national minimum standards. All six outcome areas were assessed. The overall judgement for this service is good with some outstanding aspects. Being healthy is judged as good and positive contribution is satisfactory. The rating for enjoying and achieving, staying safe, economic wellbeing and organisation are judged as outstanding.

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Summary

Staff have excellent relationships with children and are committed to support young people to achieve. Some aspects of the care plans are of a very good standard, however, they are not accurately covering all of the children’s assessed needs and how those needs are to be met. Staff are particularly skilled in communication with children and ensuring that children have excellent opportunities to express themselves. The service is well run and provides quality care with excellent outcomes for children. 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

The registered person was asked to ensure that the placement plans be further improved. This requirement is partly met. Some aspects of the placement plans are very good, however, there are sections that lack accurate detail and plans are not consistently updated when needs change. A new action has been made relating to this requirement.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to live healthy lifestyles while on a short break at the service. This is well documented on the individual files. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals that meet their dietary, cultural and religious needs. Mealtimes are social occasions and children are encouraged to sit at the table with staff. Staff offer assistance to the children if needed. Some children have the opportunity to grow vegetables which are used in the meals prepared. Older children are given the opportunity to shop for food and prepare simple meals. Records of meals demonstrate a good and varied diet is offered. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975 Children's health needs are identified within the placement plans. However, not all health related issues are recorded under the relevant outcome for children. In particular, information relating to annual health checks and medical history are not consistently recorded under the

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Helping children to be healthy

‘being healthy outcome’. The details of the health professionals involved with the children are on files. As this is a respite service children are registered with their own General Practitioner. Staff receive training in specialist health care tasks ensuring that they are competent. Appropriate assessments are in place for children with physical disabilities who require assistance with moving and handling, to ensure they are handled in a safe manner. Staff encourage children to participate in play outside to ensure they have good opportunities to exercise. There is a large garden area which is equipped with a range of equipment such as a trampoline, climbing frame and bikes. Children live in a healthy environment and their good health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication is appropriately stored and secure. Clear records are made of medication coming in and out of the service. Staff sign to confirm that medication is administered, and stock balances are clear. Some staff are trained in first aid ensuring that there is at least one trained staff member in the home at all times. Appropriate consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained for each child ensuring that they can receive preventative and emergency medical treatment without delay.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's information is handled confidentially by staff. Records pertaining to children are securely stored in the office. Staff are clear about the arrangements to ensure young people’s privacy is respected. Each child has their own private room. The home's bathroom and toilet facilities provide the necessary level of privacy for children. Staff are sensitive in managing support of children's personal care tasks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are systems in place to ensure that any complaint is addressed. The home has procedures in place to deal with complaints which ensures that they are taken seriously and dealt with promptly. The procedures are available in a variety of suitable pictorial formats for children who have complex communication needs. A log of complaints is kept in the home, which shows that has been one complaint since the last inspection which was dealt with in line with procedure. The service has received several compliments since the last inspection regarding the care and support given to children who use the service. Children have access to an independent advocate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Child protection procedures are in place and all staff receive mandatory training. Staff are clear about their role in safeguarding the children in the home. Social workers say that staff ensure that the children are kept safe whilst in the home. There have been no child protection incidents since the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from bullying as there systems in place to counter bullying continue to be highly effective in practice. Clear guidance is in place for staff to deal with any incidents. There is a good variety of suitable aids for staff to use to communicate with children about issues such as bullying. Staff manage any issue in a sensitive manner and monitor the relationships between children. Staff creatively address issues of bullying and other sensitive matters to enhanced a child’s understanding; the use of puppets which depict different backgrounds and cultures are used in resolving conflicts and encouraging children to understand their own and others feelings. Children and staff are working together on a bullying charter for the service which is on display. Bullying is currently not an issue in the home. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975 Staff have clear guidance to follow if a child is deemed absent from the service. Children’s files

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

contain comprehensive information including a recent photograph and description of the child which potentially helps to locate them if missing. Where a child may 'run off ' the care plan provides guidance for staff to follow when taking them into the community. There have been no incidents of children going missing. Children are protected through systems that are in place to prevent absence without authority. This ensures their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are able to effectively work with children who may display challenging behaviour. They focus on distraction techniques and the use of 'time out' to encourage acceptable behaviour. Children are also encouraged to take responsibility for what they have done in line with their ability. Placement plans indicate that measures of control strategies to develop positive relationships with children are in line with their individual needs and ability. This may include a reward as a target for positive behaviour. However, staff do not consistently demonstrate how a child may have the opportunity to achieve a particular target once they have been sanctioned as part of the restorative work being done. Records of the restorative work and sanctions used are maintained. Consequences used may be, for example, a child being supported to make an apology by making a card for someone or ‘time out’. Restraint is used only when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

necessary to protect the safety of the child or others. The records are regularly assessed to ensure that they are appropriate. Children are observed engaging extremely well with staff and there is an extremely positive atmosphere in the home which feels calm and relaxed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to ensure that the children and staff are safe from the risk of fire and other hazards. For example, the home has a fire risk assessment is in place. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed around the home and have been done in a format to help the children understand it. Children and staff participate in fire drills which are conducted monthly ensuring that they are familiar with the evacuation procedures. Health and Safety certificates are valid. Records pertaining to health and safety are extremely well maintained. Staff personal files were not accessed at this inspection due to them being at a central office. The Registered Manager is fully aware of what checks are to be undertaken prior to new staff commencing work. Visitors to the home are vetted to ensure the safety of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge about the individual needs of children and how those needs are to be met. This is evidenced within some of the documentation in place for children. Children’s communication needs are clearly recorded. Staff are observed communicating with children in line with their needs and are seen to be interacting positively with each other. They use signs and pictures with children who are non verbal. From observations made during the inspection it is evident that staff provide a positive and nurturing approach to working with the children in their care. The service has received several written compliments since the last inspection from both external professionals and families about the support and care they provide to children. There is good evidence of excellent practice that recognises and supports the individual needs of children with disabilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents of young people accessing the respite service maintain parental responsibility for their children. As a result, staff are not involved in decision making with regard to children's educational provision. Individual files contain relevant information and history regarding the education needs of the children. The staff have good relationships with the different schools 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975 used by the children. Staff are involved in the arrangements regarding transport for the children to and from school ensuring that there is minimal disruption to them. The service supports and encourages the use of children's communication systems as used in their schools. Children have access to computers and other educational resources such as books in the home. Children's education is actively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Feedback from parents and social workers indicates that they are very happy with the range of opportunities that are available for the children. There is a range of games and equipment available for use both inside and outside the home which are of a very good standard. Children have access to televisions, stereos, DVDs, videos and CDs. There is also sensory room. Staff take into account the individual needs and abilities of children when planning activities. Daily records indicate what activities take place. Staff take children into the community, for example, to the local parks, and to youth clubs. Staff also actively engage with children through arts and crafts activities in the home. Children are observed enjoying their time at the home and time spent with staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Some aspects of the placement plans are of a good standard and provide clear guidelines about specific aspects of care of the children. This ensures that staff have a consistent approach in providing care. Staff complete daily records which include some information about the care and support given to a child. Staff knowledge of the individual needs of the children is excellent and they are fully aware of how those needs should be met on a daily basis. However, this is not demonstrated fully within the documentation in place. For example, whilst the placement plans are completed to a satisfactory level, they do not all clearly indicate what strategies are in place when dealing with specific behaviours. On some files the risk assessments are old and indicate historical issues that are longer an issue for an individual child, and as such provide conflicting information with that on the placement plan. Inconsistencies in documentation may

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Helping children make a positive contribution

impact on the effectiveness of the placement and care being provided. Staff contribute effectively to the looked after children reviews and provide written and verbal reports. Minutes of reviews are available on a child’s file. Children are supported to contribute through suitable formats.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The service provides respite care for short periods of time and as such contact arrangements are not necessary as children primarily live at home. Parents and significant others are able to contact the service at any time and records indicate that contact with parents is good during respite stays. Parents confirm that they are able to visit and are made to feel welcome by the staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive excellent support when coming into or leaving the home. Clear plans are in place to introduce children to the service before they stay overnight. Staff carry out home visits to gather relevant information about a child needs. There is also a book which is formatted in widget that introduces the service to children. Staff use this when they visit the children during the assessment to help them familiarise the home. Children and their families are given the opportunity to visit the home prior to receiving a service. When a child is moving on, staff liaise with the relevant professional to ensure a smooth transition is made into adult services. Children are supported to move into and out of the service in a planned manner. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975 Staff are creative in ensuring effective communication with children. There is a vast supply of communication aids within the service which supports children to express there opinions and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

make decisions in line with their ability. Staff are skilled in communicating with children using a range of methods, such as Widget, Makaton, pictorial aids or puppets when seeking their individual views. Staff record any choices that children make in the daily records that are maintained. The service is commended for developing the children's survey received prior to this inspection into a suitable format for the children to voice their views.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. The service has developed a Transitional Enablement Group which is a programme aimed at young people who are preparing to move into independence or adult services. They are supported to achieve individual targets in line with their own ability. The main focus being around social interaction and achieving targets with minimal prompts. There are individual plans as part of the programme which include tasks such as, shopping independently, simple cooking, and completing personal care tasks. At the end of the programme the achievements are rewarded by an event attended by the young people, their parents, and professional from social care, health and education. The feedback from the first programme was extremely positive and the service received many compliments. One stated, ‘I have to voice my amazement at the improvement in the independent skills these young people have gained through the benefits

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Achieving economic wellbeing

of this programme. To see a student who had previous not spoken take part in a video session and be proud to share this with all the visitors that day was incredible’.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children enjoy homely accommodation and the premises are well maintained and pleasantly decorated. Children's bedrooms are comfortable, well furnished and brightly decorated. Communal areas are clean and tidy. There is an array of photographs on display which demonstrate all the activities that children take part in. The garden area is secure and equipped with suitable play equipment for the children. The home provides a safe, welcoming place for children to stay.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The leadership of the home is strong; the Registered Manager is very experienced in running a service and does so efficiently and creatively. Monitoring in line with Schedule 6 of the children's homes regulations is completed. Regular unannounced visits take place by someone independent of the home. Children and staff are spoken to during these visits to take into account their views on the operation of the home. Reports are completed and available for inspection. The home is well run and clearly provides an excellent level of care and support to children and their families who use the service for short breaks.

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Organisation

Children, parents and significant others receive comprehensive information about the service and the facilities that it offers. The Statement of Propose is well written and provides an extensive overview of the operation of the home. It covers all the matters outlined in Schedule 1 of the children's homes regulations. The young person's guide is well presented and is available in a pictorial format which provides relevant information and gives an overview of what children can expect when living at the home. The service also produce other literature that contains key information that is available in pictorial form for children. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975 The competent and committed staff team in place promotes continuity of care for children. Staff work hard to ensure that the current team covers any sickness and annual leave. There are vacancies in the staff team and recruitment programmes are underway. Staffing levels are

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Organisation

dependant on the individual needs of the children receiving a service. Staff are aware of the management structure within the home and are able to access support from senior staff in the absence of the Registered Manager.

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Organisation

All of the permanent staff have achieved the National Vocational Qualification at level 3. Additional training on topics relevant to meeting the needs of the children cared for is provided, for example, specialist health care procedures or communication skills. Refresher training is planned for manual handling, restraint and first aid. Staff confirm that the training and support offered meets their needs and enables them to care for children appropriately. Children benefit from the care and commitment of a skilled management and staff team.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Staff have an excellent knowledge of the children’s needs and are committed to ensuring that those needs are met. Staff are extremely knowledgeable about the impact of children’s disabilities on their lives and focuses on their individuality. The updated individual plans demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring that the cultural and diverse needs of the individual children are met. Children's files include matters as required in Schedule 3 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and all records are stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality.

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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

30 November 2009 ensure that all care plans and risk assessments clearly set out all of the assessed needs of the child and how they will be met to ensure that the welfare of the child is promoted by the home. (Regulation 12.1.a)

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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 that any health issues are addressed within the health section of the placement plan, in particular annual health checks, and medical history (NMS 12.2) • consider developing disciplinary measures which are based on positive relationships that are designed to help individual children. (NMS 22.3) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044975

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