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

SC038526 Unique reference number 24 February 2010 Inspection date Jacqui Gosling Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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15 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: SC038526

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of the two detached bungalows operating as children's homes on the same site. The premises are situated at the far end of a cul-de-sac in a residential area. The home provides personal care for four young people of either sex from 12 to under 18 years of age, with sensory impairment, physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

This year the home has changed its Statement of Purpose and now provides short term respite care with each young person staying up to a maximum of 28 days on each visit.

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Brief description of the service

The ground floor of the premises has suitable aids and adaptations to meet the needs of children and young people with a disability. The first floor is only accessible by stairs and provides an office and staff facilities. At the rear of the bungalow is a private, enclosed and landscaped garden. There is off-road parking for staff and visitors.

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Summary

This interim inspection was an announced visit. Following the last full inspection the home was judged to have good outcomes in all but one outcome group; being healthy was judged as outstanding.

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Summary

This inspection focuses on the capacity of the home to keep young people safe, inspecting key standards relating to staying safe. The inspection also considered progress on the actions and recommendations imposed at the key inspection.

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Summary

Following this inspection, the home is judged to have a good outcome in ensuring young people are kept safe. The home provides an environment that is safe and secure. There are good arrangements in place for the promotion of safety and the protection and care of young people. Staff promote young people's welfare and work closely with parents and other professionals to address any behavioural and safety issues. 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

The two actions and two recommendations made following the inspection that took place in September 2009 have been fully addressed. In accordance with the Statement of Purpose, all individual visits are now for 28 days maximum.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The staff work effectively to ensure required documentation from young people's placing authority is completed and on file in the home. When a placing authority fails to forward the required documentation, the manager is proactive in writing to social workers and their team managers requesting the paperwork.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff meetings continue to occur monthly and night staff now attend these meetings.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All current placements are for weekends or holiday breaks/respite and the home has no role in supporting the young people's education. Therefore, the home does not need to keep any 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC038526 record of their educational history or statement of special educational needs. Proactively the manager liaises with social workers to offer support if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home continues to provide an environment that is safe and secure and which provides good arrangements for the promotion, protection and care of children and young people. The manager and staff implement policies and procedures to safeguard children effectively. Staff also promote children's privacy and welfare. The facilities and arrangements for showering and bathing ensure the young people have their privacy respected. When intimate care is required staff obtain signed consent from the person with parental responsibility. Staff work proactively with the young people, their parents and other professionals to address behavioural and safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

None of the young people who stay at the home go out alone. All are accompanied by at least one member of staff. Individual and environmental risk assessments are conducted and regularly reviewed. This enables staff to be well-informed about each young person in their care to ensure they are appropriately safeguarded. There have been no incidents of young people being absent from the home without authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an effective system is in place to record any concerns or complaints from young people, parents, or professionals, although no complaints have been recorded since the last inspection. The organisation ensures staff are equipped and trained with the knowledge and understanding to fulfil their role and responsibilities regarding protection and safeguarding. The procedures in the home fully comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management policies are robust and strategies have as their prime objective the creation of a safe, supportive environment, which considers the age, disability, understanding and ability of the young people. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection as staff work closely with parents and social workers to maintain consistency regarding managing the young people's behaviour. Measures of control are considered as part of the young people's care plans and records show that they are age and need appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is well maintained to ensure it is safe. Fire evacuation drills are conducted on a regular basis and, where appropriate, at night when the young people are asleep. Drills exceed national minimum standard requirements. This is good practice as the home offers short term respite care and the staff have the opportunity to practice the drills to ensure they can meet the needs of the range of young people being cared for. Water temperature, gas and electric equipment, fire alarms and fire safety equipment are checked and maintained on a regular basis as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective safeguarding and vetting procedures in place and this ensures that all staff working in the home have successfully passed all the checks that are required and contain all the required information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff monitor all visitors to the home and they demonstrate a good awareness of the need to safeguard young people from potential risks. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC038526

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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: SC038526

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