Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

SC008575 Unique reference number 18 January 2010 Inspection date Mark Kersh Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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9 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: SC008575

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Brief description of the service

This is a residential children's home owned and run by a charitable trust that has other children's residential services in the area. The house is a five bedroom bungalow, in a residential area. There is a lounge, with satellite television, a dining area, computer, kitchen, and toilet and bathroom facilities. The garden has a soft play area and sensory features. All areas of this home are adapted for wheelchair use. The home provides residential care for up to five young people, who have a physical and or learning disability, who are placed by their own local authority.

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Summary

At this unannounced interim inspection, all key standards in the outcome area of staying safe were inspected. The outcome areas of being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not inspected. This is an outstanding service and has substantial strengths in protecting young people from harm or neglect and ensuring they stay safe. Young people are safeguarded through policies and procedures understood and followed by trained staff. There is excellent use of pictorial and software programmes to ascertain the views and moods of young people with limited communication abilities. Staff are committed to providing an excellent level of care and support in line with young people's individual needs, and their privacy and dignity is respected at all times. 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

Not applicable. There were no requirements or recommendations made following the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people's privacy and dignity is respected. They have individual bedrooms which are personalised and staff are courteous when entering young people's bedrooms. All staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow to ensure information is confidentially shared and maintained. Staff are sensitive to managing young people's personal care needs and follow detailed plans to assist young people maintain personal hygiene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no complaints made about the care the home provides for some considerable time. Staff have an excellent awareness of individual young people's moods and routines. Inventive pictorial displays enable young people with limited communication abilities to express their thoughts and feelings. Staff respond well to resolve any issues young people or their parents may have. In addition to the staff, access is available to people independent of the home, for example, advocacy and children's rights services.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safeguarded from abuse as the home has clear policies and procedures in place and staff are aware of their responsibilities. All staff are fully trained in how to recognise, 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008575 respond and report any suspicions of abuse and courses attended cover young people with complex needs. There are no safeguarding issues. The home is effective in identifying and addressing issues around bullying. Staffing is more than sufficient to provide young people with supervision, and unauthorised absences do not occur in this home. All staff are clear about their responsibilities to notify any significant events to the appropriate authorities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have individual behaviour management plans which set out in detail the approach staff take to promote positive behaviour. All staff are trained in behaviour management and demonstrate well their understanding of individual young people's needs and the individual ways in which they communicate. Music therapy and the use of a fully equipped sensory area are used to calm young people and change their behaviour. The need to restrain young people does not arise and the use of sanctions is not appropriate, given the level of understanding of the young people. Young people receive praise and rewards from staff which minimise inappropriate behaviour and young people's achievements are celebrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are looked after within a safe environment. Robust systems are in place which ensure regular testing of the fire alarm system and means of escape. Frequent fire evacuations are carried out and water temperatures are tested. These arrangements are clearly recorded and monitored to ensure young people, staff and visitors are safe from risk from harm. All electrical and adapted equipment is serviced as required and the home maintains a comprehensive risk assessment for any identified hazards inside and outside of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have been appropriately recruited and undergone suitable criminal records bureau checks. Thorough recruitment procedures are followed to ensure all staff who work in the home are safe to do so. The home operates a signing in and out system and visitors do not have unsupervised access to young people. On arrival all visitors are briefed about the procedures to follow in the event of a fire.

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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: SC008575

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