Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group in Cambridgeshire

SC015264 Unique reference number 17 February 2010 Inspection date Helen Walker Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

23 February 2009 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC015264

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine boys aged from 10 years to 17 years old.

p.4

Brief description of the service

This is a children's home which specialises in offering long-term placements to boys. The home is set in its own grounds in a country village. Ground floor accommodation comprises of two lounges, a dining room, kitchen, utility room and games room. First floor accommodation comprises of bedroom and bathroom areas. The home has an independent special school on site. There is good access to local health and leisure services and the home has its own transport. There is an enclosed garden to the side of the house and parking to the front and rear.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Five young people currently live at the home. Not all were present at the time of the inspection.

p.4

Summary

At this full, unannounced inspection, all the key national minimum standards were considered. The recommendations made at the previous inspection were followed up and details of these are outlined in the improvements section of this report.

p.4

Summary

The home is effectively managed and young people benefit from a caring, consistent and knowledgeable staff team. The ethos of the home is to provide young people with a nurturing and supportive environment in order for them to reach their potential.

p.4

Summary

Staff have a good understanding about keeping young people safe from harm and they know how to respond, in the event of any allegation or serious concern about a young person's safety.

p.4

Summary

Young people have excellent levels of individual support. Staff provide good role models and use a range of interventions to raise young people's confidence, self esteem and social skills.

p.4

Summary

The current group of young people have lived in the home for a number of years with few staff changes. This enables the young people to be looked after in a very stable and consistent environment by staff who know them well.

p.4

Summary

Education is extremely well promoted and young people's diverse interests are actively encouraged by staff. The home has a school on site which is registered with Ofsted and was judged as 'good' at the last education inspection.

p.4

Summary

Young people benefit from spacious, very well-maintained and comfortable accommodation. Staff and young people take great pride in the upkeep of the house which is very clean, homely and welcoming.

p.4

Summary

Recommendations have been made to further promote the wellbeing of the young people. These relate to the records of complaints and staff qualification. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure sanctions are fully recorded and to obtain fire safety advice from the fire authority.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

All sanctions are now fully recorded and monitored by the manager so that accurate records are maintained. The fire authority have visited the home and given appropriate fire safety advice which the provider has acted on. This helps to ensure good fire safety measures are in place to protect young people, staff and visitors to the house.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people have choices in respect of foods they wish to eat in the home. A cook is employed and meals provided are balanced and varied. There are opportunities for young people to shop and cook which helps them to learn skills for independence. Healthy snacks such as fruit are available in the home.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home has a well-furnished dining room, which gives the young people the opportunity to sit at the dining table and to have their meals with the other young people and staff.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive good advice and guidance in relation to health and social matters and this includes an emphasis on leading a healthy way of life. Staff understand the need for young people to maintain good health and ensure they have access to primary health care services, for their routine health needs to be met. More specialist advice is available to the young people, for example, the looked after children's nurse and the child and adolescent mental health service. Activities such as football, cycling and swimming are actively promoted so that young people gain the physical health benefits associated with these sports.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Staff follow the home's procedures in relation to the administration and storage of medication and are qualified to administer first aid treatment as needed. Additionally, all young people have a first aid qualification which is a real achievement. Medication is securely stored in the home and records are monitored to confirm appropriate practices are in place.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy and confidentiality in the home is well regarded. They confirm staff knock on their bedroom doors before entering which respects their personal space. Locks are not fitted to bedroom doors in line with the philosophy of a family home and young people agree with this arrangement.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's complaints procedure is known to the young people and gives them the opportunity to raise any issues they are unhappy with. Young people feel staff listen to them. In addition to the more formal complaints process the home has a 'grumbles' book. However, some of the grumbles require a written response from the manager and therefore go beyond an informal resolution. This means complaints and their outcomes are not always accurate and recorded to give a full account of the matter.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a very good understanding about keeping young people safe from harm and they know how to respond in the event of any allegation or serious concern about a young person's 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264 safety. Staff receive training and are familiar with safeguarding guidance, which assists them to care for and to promote the welfare of young people.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are made aware that bullying is not tolerated in the home. At this time young people say there is no bullying and they get on well together. Staff know and follow the home's procedures when young people are missing from the home.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to develop appropriate and acceptable behaviours. Staff promote a positive culture within the house which includes rewards and incentives for young people. There is a really strong emphasis on celebrating achievements and an ethos of respect in a home where young people are proud of their successes. For example, sporting achievements within the local community are fully recognised.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive support and training to assist them to deal properly with challenging behaviour. Staff talk very positively about their work with the young people. Few physical interventions and sanctions indicate they are skilful to resolve issues before behaviour escalates. Young people consider staff are fair and they like the fact that they spend lots of time with them.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home environment is well-maintained and systems are in place to ensure health and safety checks are carried out.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Thorough recruitment and employment procedures are in place which helps to confirm staff are suitable to work with young people.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people have excellent levels of individual support from staff, including a designated link worker. Staff provide good role models and use a range of interventions to raise young people's confidence, self-esteem and social skills. Young people are offered care that is tailored to their particular needs, so each individual receives personal, social, psychological and emotional support and guidance that is appropriate to them.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people talk enthusiastically about the time spent with staff and the support they receive to do the things they want to do. Staff ensure young people have access to activities and services as available to other young people. They are proactive and encourage them to participate in and maintain hobbies and interests of their choice.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Many opportunities exist for young people to undertake a range of activities including library visits, swimming, football and cycling. Young people said they enjoy being members of local sporting clubs enabling them to meet different people and make friends in the local community.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is seen as a particularly important part of young people's lives and is actively promoted by staff. The home has a school on site which is registered with Ofsted and was judged as 'good' at the last education inspection. The school is very well equipped with an array of facilities including an information technology suite and workshops for metal and woodworking.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The routine and ethos of the home is for all the young people to attend school. To this extent school attendance is excellent. The school works closely with local colleges to provide young 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264 people with vocational and work experience training. Personal education plans set out goals and educational achievements.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is now a more integrated approach to education, with care staff supporting young people in the classroom setting. This provides staff with a better understanding of how they can support the educational needs of the young people in the home environment.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Placement plans clearly identify young people's care needs. Plans are informative and monitored so that good outcomes are achieved for the young people. Staff are well-informed about the diverse range of needs of the young people accommodated and work with them to ensure these are met. Young people are fully involved in the care planning process.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has well-established systems, to review young people's care and placement plans. Link workers take an active role and encourage young people to attend their review meetings. Young people's files are updated accordingly from the meetings, to show any changes to future plans and the action staff need to take, as a result of the reviews.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are enabled to make choices about contact with family and friends in line with their care and placement plans. Staff actively promote contact so that young people continue to have positive links with those that are important to them outside of the home. Practical support is given for contact to take place, such as the provision of transport.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to move into and leave the home in a planned manner. Long term placements are the norm and the most recent admission to the home was more than two years ago. The Statement of Purpose outlines the admission criteria and staff ensure that sufficient pre-admission information is available to ensure that the needs of the young person can be met. With a stable and established social group, staff are also conscious of the need to match any new placements to ensure compatibility.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are asked their opinions about issues that affect their daily life and future. This includes obtaining their views about aspects of the running of the home, for example, through house meetings, choices of decoration for their bedrooms, menus and activities. This level of consultation helps to improve young people's quality of life.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive care which helps prepare them for adulthood and they receive extremely good support to explore further education or employment opportunities. Young people are not of an age to have formal pathway plans for leaving care. Young people said the best bit about the home is 'learning independence things, going to clubs and meeting friends'.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff have developed a pre-independence programme to provide young people with basic living skills. Careful consideration is given to young people's age and ability and any planning and intervention in developing skills in independence takes this into account. Young people are enabled to learn skills that are of use in everyday life. For example, to open a bank account, plan meals and use public transport. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264 A strong link between school and the home ensures preparation for employment is covered as part of the school curriculum. This allows the young people to discover the work, training and further education opportunities available to them. Links with Connexions and colleges allow young people to access different courses such as bricklaying, motor mechanics and catering. Young people are proud to show the miniature house brick in the lounge display cabinet. The brick had been made by a young person attending college.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people benefit from spacious, very well-maintained and comfortable accommodation. The home is located in a quiet rural village and has the benefit of domestic staff and a gardener. It is evident that all staff and young people take great pride in the upkeep of the house which is very clean, homely and welcoming.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people have their own bedrooms and the option to personalise them, which reflects their individuality. Communal and private areas in the home allow young people the opportunity to spend time with others or by themselves.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation is good. The manager provides good leadership and is supported by an assistant manager providing effective management of the home.

p.8

Organisation

The home's Statement of Purpose has recently been reviewed and reflects what the home offers and the care provided. Young people have a useful information guide with details about the routines of the home and how they are to be looked after.

p.8

Organisation

Young people benefit from a caring, consistent and knowledgeable staff team. Staff are very responsive to the care needs of the young people. The ethos of the home is to provide young people with a nurturing and supportive environment in order for them to reach their potential. Young people said, 'they look after me, it's good'. Young people are comfortable and at ease with the staff who care for them. The home has a very relaxed atmosphere and the banter between the young people and staff is friendly and good humoured.

p.8

Organisation

A significant level of stability is afforded to the young people through the continuity of staff. Most of the staff have worked at the home for many years with recent staff in their second year of employment.

p.8

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The staff group provides positive role models to young people in relation to values and attitudes in life. Young people are treated as individuals and their assessed needs are well considered. Staff take the opportunity to improve the life chances of young people, particularly through the promotion of education and health.

p.8

Organisation

Staffing levels are appropriate to meet the assessed needs of the young people. An ongoing programme of training is in place for the recommended 80% of staff to achieve an appropriate childcare qualification. Staff undertake mandatory training such as first aid and food hygiene. Additionally other training is available to increase staff skill levels in relation to their work, for example, in the areas of bereavement and drugs awareness.

p.8

Organisation

There are good systems in place to make sure that the work of the home is properly monitored. The manager undertakes regular checks of required documents, and an independent person 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264 visits the home once a month to complete checks on records, the environment and talk to staff and young people. These processes ensure that good standards of care are maintained.

p.8

Organisation

Documentation in the home relating to young people's individual history and progress is kept securely and in good order.

p.9

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.

p.9

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • maintain appropriate written records of complaints (NMS 16.3) • ensure a minimum of 80% of care staff have the appropriate NVQ level 3 care award or equivalent qualification. (NMS 29.5) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC015264

p.9