Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Lancashire

SC010090 Unique reference number 15 March 2010 Inspection date Elaine Clare Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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3 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: SC010090

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care for up to three children. The home provides crisis intervention placements for up to 28 days and also medium and longer stays. The home's location, design and size are in keeping with its purpose and function.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to the coast and is set in its own grounds. The ground floor has a fitted kitchen, dining room, lounge and one bedroom with en-suite facilities. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside there is a lawn area and a large garden. There is an additional two bedroom bungalow on site, which accommodates one young person, who is supported in living more independently .

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection is the second visit to the home for the year April 2009 to March 2010. The service was judged as good at the key inspection undertaken in November 2009. The aim of this inspection is to inspect those standards that ensure the young people are safe. In addition, this inspection reviewed the progress on implementing the previous recommendations. The visit provided the opportunity to meet with the manager, some of the young people and the care staff.

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Summary

There continues to be many good arrangements in place to keep the young people safe and their well-being is at the heart of how the home is run. There are no actions or recommendations raised at this inspection. 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

Following the last inspection there was one action raised. This has been completed. References for staff employed at the home are not from relatives of the applicant.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy and dignity are safeguarded by staff, and care is provided safely and discretely. Young people benefit from locks on bathroom and toilet doors, which can be over-ridden by staff, if necessary. Bedroom doors are also lockable. Young people can make and receive phone calls and meet with parents or staff in private. The confidentiality of information about young people and families is safeguarded by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to complain though no formal complaints have been made for sometime. The manager and staff are accessible to young people and parents, and they are responsive to any suggestions or concerns. Young people are safeguarded in the home and there have been no allegations made against staff since the last inspection. Staff are aware of the importance of safe caring and young people's welfare and safety is closely monitored. Any 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC010090 concerns about young people's safety outside the home are shared with the local authority. Staff are good at maintaining a comprehensive daily log which includes young people's movements and significant events in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying through staff vigilance and the careful grouping of young people visiting the home at any one time. Staff have good knowledge of young people's needs and vulnerabilities. Adequate staffing levels mean that situations of potential bullying or negative interactions between young people can be quickly identified and dealt with. The security of the building is carefully maintained and young people's movements are closely monitored by staff. There have been some recent incidents of young people leaving the building unsupervised. In such situations, young people have been reported missing and staff have acted accordingly to the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from an effective and understanding approach to their behaviour, which does not always rely upon the use of sanctions or physical intervention. Many young people living at the home have complex needs and their behaviour can consequently be challenging at times. Staff are supported by comprehensive information about young people's needs, adequate staffing levels, the careful grouping of young people and recent training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and staff are protected by the proper maintenance and inspection of the building and its grounds. Fire safety equipment is regularly tested and checked and fire drills held at regular intervals. All parts of the home appear clean, including the kitchen. Food is properly stored and food hygiene precautions observed during the preparation of food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff recruitment has been checked as part of this inspection and found to be sound. Staff recruitment records were inspected on this occasion. Criminal records bureau checks are regularly updated. Visitors to the home are monitored and recorded through the use of a visitors' book.

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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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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC010090

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