Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hopscotch Solutions Limited in Rutland

SC065071 Unique reference number 19 January 2010 Inspection date Jane Rushby Inspector Random Type of 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 7 Inspection Report: SC065071

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Brief description of the service

This is a residential special school that accommodates young people, with autistic spectrum disorders, for more than 290 days a year. Therefore, the residential part of the school has been registered as a children’s home. The home has been registered since the 31 October 2005 and can accommodate up to 11 young people. Eight young people currently live in this home, all of whom were present and participated in the inspection.

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Brief description of the service

The home and school are located in the same premises which is a listed building. The building has been refurbished to meet the needs of the young people it accommodates. In the main residence there is a lounge, dining room, a soft room and a sensory room as well as bathroom facilities. All bedrooms, apart from one, are single. There is a large well-equipped kitchen, which serves both the school and residence, and a laundry room. There is also an annex close to the main building with a further three bedrooms, a lounge, conservatory, a small kitchen and a further classroom. There are well equipped play areas, one of which is accessed via the main lounge. A sensory garden has been created in one of the play areas. Classrooms are situated on the first floor and administration offices are situated on the ground floor and the second floor.

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Summary

At this unannounced interim inspection, all key standards in staying safe were inspected. Improvements arising from recommendations were examined under positive contribution and organisation. The other outcomes had all been judged as outstanding at the previous key inspection in July 2009. This is an outstanding service. Young people benefit from robust leadership and comprehensive information management systems which ensure accurate recording and monitoring. Complex safeguarding and protection issues are managed effectively. Extensive analysis and evaluation of incidents and behaviour informs improvements to practice. The young people at this home are known well by the staff who work extremely hard to provide a very high standard of care. There are no actions or recommendations arising from this inspection. Eight young people currently live at the home, all of whom were present during the inspection.

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Summary

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

At the previous visit the registered person was asked to ensure that the views of parents and the contact person in their placing authority, on the content and implementation of the placement plan and any changes, are clearly evidenced. This has been carried out in full. The registered person was also asked to ensure the result of all statutory reviews are recorded on the child's file. Where there have been recommendations arising from statutory reviews these have been recorded and informed practice. The registered person was asked to ensure a clear and full written record is made of any sanction given to a child in the home, this has been carried out. The registered person was also asked to provide opportunities for staff to meet with the Regulation 33 visitor, in private if they wish, in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. Visits to the home have taken place to ensure all staff are given

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Improvements since the last inspection

the opportunity to provide feedback. The registered person was asked to ensure the home's records are signed by the Registered Manager at least once a month to identify any patterns 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC065071 or issues requiring action. Robust monitoring arrangements are in place informing any required improvements to practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people's privacy is respected and information is confidentially handled. Where intimate care is provide this is carried out with sensitivity and respect. Young people's records are securely stored in the office. Young people are supported to develop respect for their own and others' privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from excellent relationships between staff and parents and external professionals. Issues which may result in a complaint are responded to immediately and there have been no complaints received at the home since the last visit. Robust consultation and communication ensures parental involvement in their children's care. At a recent visit the regulation 33 visitor noted 'overwhelming evidence that parents and relatives have absolute trust and faith in the home'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from robust safeguarding and behaviour management strategies. A very high level of staff supervision ensures young people are cared for safely. Carers know the young people extremely well and can predict and avoid instances of challenging behaviour arising from known triggers and situations. Overt bullying is not a behaviour exhibited by young people at this home, however, comprehensive strategies are in place to prevent young people from inadvertently hurting each other. New staff are trained in safeguarding procedures during induction and staff are experienced in recognising signs of abuse. Staff ensure the safety of young people by keeping thorough and detailed records of incidents and behaviours which are analysed and evaluated to inform future practice. The manager liaises effectively with external agencies to ensure positive outcomes for young people. Young people are prevented from

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

going missing by effective security measures and the appropriate level of staff supervison.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from constructive and sensitive responses to challenging behaviour, based on individual needs. Sanctions are used sparingly and never where they would not be understood by the young person. Staff are comprehensively trained in behaviour management strategies and clear and detailed guidance is in place in respect of how to respond to particular behaviours. Physical interventions are used as a last resort, recorded thoroughly, and evaluated to ascertain their effectiveness and inform any required changes to practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by robust health and safety procedures. Required tests, checks and drills are recorded comprehensively and monitored regularly through the regulation 33 and 34 processes. Extensive consideration has been given to the particular needs of the young people in the event of the requirement to evacuate the building. A robust risk assessment process is in place for individual young people and specific activities and staff have a thorough knowledge of the risks involved. Risk assessments are monitored and updated regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective procedures in place to ensure that staff are thoroughly checked. Visitors to the home are vetted to ensure the safety of young people. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC065071

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people benefit from continuous assessment and review of their needs and progress. At the previous visit the registered person was asked to ensure that the views of parents (unless this is inappropriate) and the contact person in their placing authority, on the content and implementation of the placement plan and any changes, are clearly evidenced. This has been carried out in full. Care plans for all young people in the home are up to date and most have been signed by parents. Staff contact parents regularly and appropriately to consult where this is appropriate and advise on progress. Relationships with parents and placing authorities are positive and focussed on promoting the welfare of the young people, ensuring their safety and enabling them to achieve their potential. Parents are confident their children are being effectively cared for at the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The registered person was also asked to ensure the results of all statutory reviews are recorded on the child's file. This has been carried out. The registered manager attends all statutory reviews for looked after children and makes a comprehensive contribution to information sharing and decision making and any changes to the care plan are recorded immediately. Robust information management systems ensure accuracy.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The manager of the home is providing excellent leadership and has a comprehensive awareness of issues pertinent to the young people and the running of the home. A recommendation was raised at the previous visit requiring the registered person to ensure that the home's records are signed by the registered manager at least once a month to identify any patterns or issues requiring action. This has been carried out in full. An analysis of all information provided by logs is carried out monthly and a report identifying any patterns or issues is presented to the managers meetings. Incidents are evaluated to identify triggers and the effectiveness of any intervention ensuring any required changes to practice result in improvements to care of the young people.

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Organisation

The registered person was also asked to provide opportunities for staff to meet with the regulation 33 visitor, in private if they wish, in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. This recommendation has been carried out in full. The Regulation 33 visitor ensures that visits take place which provide all staff with an opportunity to give feedback. Staff benefit from excellent support and a clear line management structure. Robust systems are in place to promote excellent communication between staff at all levels. Monthly manager's meetings provide an opportunity for information sharing and decision making which is clearly recorded. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC065071

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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. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC065071

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