Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Coventry

SC064117 Unique reference number 23 March 2010 Inspection date Jackie Callaghan Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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23 September 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: SC064117

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Brief description of the service

The home is located within easy commuting distance to a large city centre. The home is a large bungalow style building with office and staff sleeping-in rooms arranged on the upper floor. There are seven young people's bedrooms all with en-suite facilities. There are two lounges, a dining room and a domestic kitchen. There is one large bathroom with an assisted bath and a second smaller bathroom. There is a fenced garden with a patio and lawn area.

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Brief description of the service

The service offers 24-hour personal care to children and young people with learning and physical disabilities. Five young people are currently living at the home and all being present at different times throughout this inspection.

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Summary

This was an interim unannounced inspection that concentrated on all key national minimum standards in staying safe. It also looked at a further three standards in organisation. The home's Registered Manager was available throughout the inspection.

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Summary

The inspection found that the home provides a good standard of care that supports and helps young people in their personal, social and emotional development. Staff relationships with young people are caring and very supportive. Young people are benefiting from living in a home that is consistently managed and organised to achieve good outcomes for those individuals accommodated. No actions or recommendations have been made as a result of 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

Since the home's last inspection, improvements have been made in the behaviour management processes. Staff now ensure that an accurate record of measures of control is maintained. The home has also updated their behaviour management policy which now sets out the measures of control and restraint that may be used by staff. The recording of compliments has also been improved to ensure that it does not infringe on young people's privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy and confidentiality is promoted by sound guidance and good staff practice. Staff ensure that they do not enter young people's rooms without knocking. Staff are aware of the young people's right to privacy and how this may be safely promoted. Young people are able to raise a concern or complaint and staff listen to what they have to say. The home has a clear complaints procedure which is made available to young people, their families and the wider community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people living at this home are aware of how staff will promote their safety and protection within the home and in public places. Staff have a good understanding of their role to protect 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC064117 young people from any risk of harm. They fully understand their individual responsibility to act on any concerns they may have about a young person's welfare. Staff take appropriate steps to ensure that young people who are absent from the home without consent are protected in-line with written policy and guidance. No young people have ever left the home without permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's welfare is further promoted through the home's positive approach to anti-bullying. There have been no recorded incidents of bullying at the home. Young people’s welfare is promoted because staff are very comfortable with their role of setting clearly understood boundaries while maintaining a high-quality relationship between themselves and the young people. Staff negotiate with young people to encourage harmony. Consequently, the needs of young people who present behavioural challenges are deeply understood which encourages cooperation between the staff and the young people and helps to maintain positive relationships.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff working at the young people's home take positive steps to keep young people and visitors safe from all environmental hazards including fire. For example, risk assessments on the environment are completed and updated on a regular basis and staff within the home are all involved in these routines to ensure that health and safety is promoted by everyone. This home does take the safety and welfare of the residents seriously and young people do live in a home which is both physically safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has robust procedures in place for the monitoring of visitors to the home. The organisation that owns this home has a clearly defined recruitment process which protects young people by ensuring that all of the national minimum standards requirements are met, in all instances, prior to any staff member being deployed into the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The Registered Manager provides effective day-to-day support to staff whose commitment to providing a consistent quality of service is another strength of the home. Staff are appropriately supported through regular supervision and staff meetings. They say they are well supported which enables them to be competent in their roles. They have induction and initial training. Systems are in place to ensure the workforce is skilled to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Working with Children and Young People.

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Organisation

Young people enjoy being looked after by a consistent group of staff, who cover most absences themselves. There is good management support because the Registered Manager is qualified, skilled and experienced and provides strong and efficient leadership to the staff team and young people. The Registered Manager is actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC064117 home and has clear expectations that the staff team will achieve the best possible outcomes for all young people in their care.

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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: SC064117

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