Children's Home run by Lincolnshire County Council in Lincolnshire

SC042967 Unique reference number 17 March 2010 Inspection date Fiona Parker Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

5 January 2010 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 6 Inspection Report: SC042967

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is managed by a local authority and provides longer term care for up to 6 young people between 10 and 18 years. Admission to the home is on a planned basis. The home aims to provide young people with care and support for their emotional and behavioural needs. The home has good links with local services to ensure varied individual support is available for young people. Structured independence support is available for young people at this stage in their lives.

p.4

Brief description of the service

This home is purpose-built and offers spacious functional accommodation suitably for the maximum number of young people who may live there. Large hall areas on both floors offer recreation space and good sized gardens allow ample space for outdoor activities. The office is situated in a separate building behind the home.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Six young people, all males, currently live in the home.

p.4

Summary

This is an interim inspection to follow up on the recommendations made at the key inspection and to assess the key standards under the outcome area of staying safe. The outcome areas of enjoying and achieving, economic wellbeing and organisation are not inspected, therefore not judged at this inspection.

p.4

Summary

The overall judgement, as a result of this inspection, is inadequate - notice to improve, there are four actions in place. Shortfalls in managing and progressing safeguarding matters in the home have resulted in compromises to the welfare and safety of young people. As a result, not all young people feel appropriately protected at all times. The overall quality rating is inadequate. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The key inspection identified five recommendations. These related to the potential for 'snacking' on foods interrupting or replacing planned meals; ensuring placement plans detail young people's needs; ensuring review recommendations inform day-to-day care and records clearly detail consultation takes place with young people. In addition, the home was asked to ensure there was clarity in the practice for room searches. All the previous recommendations have been met and the manager and staff have implemented comprehensive and detailed plans for young people and improved the ways they consult with young people. In addition review minutes are obtained and incorporated into plans.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There is now a process detailing the practice for any room searches and the recording of these. Young people are informed about their rights and responsibilities. These changes have significantly improved how young people's needs are assessed and important information collated. Monitoring of 'snacking' is in place to ensure healthy outcomes are achieved.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042967 Young people are supported and encouraged to eat healthy, balanced meals. Menus show nutritious and varied meal choices are available each day. Young people have opportunities to shop and prepare meals to improve their self care skills and pursue any individual interest in cooking. Staff remain vigilant with monitoring the amount of snacks young people take between meals, this ensures young people eat balanced meals and their overall health is promoted.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Young people are not always fully protected, and at times, their welfare and safety is compromised. Although staff aim to support young people at all times, they are not always able to protect all young people in the home and manage the dynamics of the group.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of the complaints procedure and the different people available to support them, such as youth advocacy. There is recent evidence the home's complaint process has not been actively promoted when young people have cause to complain. Although young people are supported to pursue complaints through other agencies, such as the police, their right to access the complaint process has not been fully understood. This shortfall also places the onus upon young people themselves to pursue matters and not the adults providing care for them. This does not ensure young people are appropriately listened to and have the right to redress.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding procedures have not been followed, therefore young people's safety and welfare has not been fully considered within the formal processes. Effective monitoring of events has not taken place, as a result young people's welfare and safety is further compromised. In addition, appropriate notifications have not been forwarded to Ofsted as required by regulation. Planning is not in place, for example, to consider all young people's needs and assess welfare and safety, in light of recent information.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected, there is now a clear process for undertaking and recording any room searches and young people are aware of their rights to access their files. Formal absences from the home are not frequent, staff make sure they know young people's whereabouts in the community and will actively look for young people to encourage them to return home. Good risk assessments are in place and updated in light of new information, for example, risks associated with smoking and substance misuse. Staff are pro- active in discussing the consequences of risky behaviours young people may take part in. This increases young people's awareness of health and safety as a result of their actions.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sound recruitment processes are in place, ensuring young people are only cared for by people who are suitable and subject to appropriate checks, including Criminal Records Bureau checks. Visitors to the home are identity checked and sign a visitors' book. Young people are fully aware of this process and seek the visitors' book when visits take place.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042967 Young people's needs are effectively assessed and robust placement plans are in place. Plans are detailed and comprehensive, clearly detailing young people's progress in all key areas. Clear actions guide staff on the support each young person needs. Regular reviews take place and good monthly summaries detail all progress and development. Young people are consulted and their views are formally sought. In addition work is undertaken with each young person to ensure they are aware of all their rights and responsibilities. This ensures young people are aware of key areas which may affect them, for example, with room searches and access to files.

p.5

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.6

Due date Action Standard

2 April 2010 ensure the prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the children's home is situated, of any allegations of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the chidren's home (Regulation 16 (2) (b) ) 2 April 2010 ensure a written record is of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. In particular, complaints made by young people are recognised as complaints and appropriate action is taken on behalf of children to pursue the formal complaints process (Regulation 24 (5) ) 2 April 2010 ensure at all times, having regard to the need to promote the health and welfare of the children accommodated in the home, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children's home (Regulation 25 (1) (b) ) 2 April 2010 ensure if any of the events listed in Column 1 of the table in schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay

p.6

Due date Action Standard

notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. In particular, notify Ofsted of any serious incident necessitating calling the police to the home. (Regulation 30 (1) )

p.6

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC042967

p.6