Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

SC036737 Unique reference number 15 March 2010 Inspection date Caroline Brailsford Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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8 December 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 6 Inspection Report: SC036737

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority children's home providing a short break service to children and young people in the local area. In addition to the short breaks, which are provided in two areas in the home, there is a residential service for six young people. All three areas are separate. All of the young people have physical disabilities and some have complex health care needs. All areas provide attractive and accessible communal rooms, play areas, bedrooms and bathroom facilities.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large house, set in pleasant extensive grounds, in a rural area close to a nearby town where there are shopping and recreational facilities.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the key national minimum standards in the outcome area of staying safe.

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Summary

The overall outcome rating of outstanding given at the last key inspection in December 2009, remains the same. This is because not all of the key national minimum standards have been inspected on this occasion.

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Summary

A judgement of outstanding is made under the outcome area staying safe. There are elements of good practice identified at this inspection, particularly the comprehensive procedures to keep young people safe. Their welfare is safeguarded by staff who are well trained and knowledgeable. Staff know the needs of the young people exceptionally well and what they should do to ensure that their needs are met. They enjoy their work and are enthusiastic about the progress young people are making at the home.

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Summary

There is one action set as a result of this inspection. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations set at the last inspection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The complaints procedure is easily accessible to young people. Their own communication method is established and very well understood by the staff, so that they can be properly represented. There is regular access to an advocacy service ensuring that an independent approach can be taken. Staff place great importance on establishing the feelings and views of all young people. This enables all young people to have a voice and ensures safety and welfare. Parents also have access to the procedure and where issues or complaints are raised, these are dealt with both professionally and within the timescales set out in the policy. Good records are maintained showing the investigation and outcomes. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737 Young people's dignity is highly respected by staff and they enjoy a good level of privacy in the home. Young people are protected by clear procedures and practices for promoting their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare. Staff are trained in safeguarding children procedures and are very knowledgeable about safety issues for disabled children in residential care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staffing levels are allocated to ensure that all young people are kept safe and receive appropriate support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are effectively and proactively protected from bullying. There are excellent risk assessments and management strategies in place. The needs, behaviour and safety of young people are clearly identified and responded to with appropriate staffing levels and practical care strategies. Also, close liaison with social workers ensures that all safeguarding information is shared properly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have built up very positive relationships with the young people and see them in an extremely positive light. Staff consistently assess behaviour and seek positive ways of supporting young people so that they can make progress. There is an emphasis on behaviour as a means of communication and the staff respond to this accordingly and encourage such communication. Young people's needs and behaviour are extremely well understood by the staff. The staff's approach to behaviour is consistently positive, both in their language and methods. They have completed training and are competent in diffusing complex behaviour to try to avoid the use of physical intervention. There have been no such events in the home for several years.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The health and safety of the environment is extremely well maintained and monitored. Fire safety procedures and equipment are checked regularly ensuring the safety of all who use the building. Where there has been a serious accident in the home, Ofsted has not been notified in accordance with the regulations. However, the incident has been thoroughly investigated and all other appropriate action has been taken to ensure that all aspects have been properly considered. There is evidence that the management and staff are extremely vigilant about safety and keen to learn from such incidents so that risks can be further minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a recruitment system which maintains good levels of safety for young people. For all staff, including agency staff, this includes Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks at an enhanced level, proof of identity and references prior to employment. The overall management of the system is very good and therefore young people are extremely well protected. The procedure for visitors to the home is also robust and promotes safety in the building.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737

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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

26 March 2010 notify Ofsted without delay the matters set out in Schedule 5, in particular any serious illness or accident sustained by a child (Regulation 30, shcedule 5)

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737

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