Children's Home run by St Hill Establishments Ltd in Kingston upon Hull

SC385633 Unique reference number 19 August 2009 Inspection date Sarah Urding 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: SC385633

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is run by a private company. The home is registered to provide a service for up to five children or young people, male or female, aged between 10 and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a three-storey building. There are two bedrooms for young people downstairs both with en-suite facilities and three further bedrooms upstairs. In addition there are two staff sleep-in rooms in close proximity to all bedrooms.

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Brief description of the service

Downstairs there is an office, kitchen, dining room and spacious lounge with a quiet room also on the second floor.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to a city centre. There are local shops, churches and health centres nearby. The home has a small car park and is close to major bus routes.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. Staying safe and the progress made in meeting the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection were assessed. Enjoying and achieving was not inspected on this occasion.

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Summary

Children and young people's good health is promoted because staff understand their needs and follow best practice guidelines. Children and young people are safeguarded by staff who are vigilant, practice sensitively and work in partnership with child protection agencies. A sound system is in place for monitoring and improving the quality of care in the home. This links directly to the development plan for the home and staff contribute well to improving standards from within. However, there are shortfalls relating to record keeping which reduce accountability and discourage consistency in practice. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff have made good progress in meeting the shortfalls at the last inspection. Children and young people's health is now promoted well because there are clear health care plans in place followed by staff. Children and young people are safeguarded because staff notify the appropriate bodies of concerning incidents, follow fire safety procedure and recruit staff safely. Children and young people are now able to choose whom they go to for support, as a gender balance of staff on duty has been achieved. A development plan for the home has been devised which provides a focus for improvement. However, shortfalls remain in relation to placement planning and preparing young people for independence. This compromises service delivery.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children and young people's health needs are well met and clearly defined through health care plans. Staff are proactive in seeking medical support as needs change and monitor children well. There are good links between staff in the home and medical professionals. All children 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385633 and young people are registered with a doctor, dentist and optician. Specialist health care needs are also well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and young people are knowledgeable about being healthy and make the link between the need for a healthy diet and exercise. Staff promote this by providing well balanced meals and encourage children and young people to be involved in shopping for and preparing their meals. Special diets are catered for and staff are currently involved in assessing the nutritional values of food which further promotes good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

A safe and accountable system for managing medication is in place. Clear records are kept and medication is safely stored. Medication is being administered as prescribed and staff are proactive in securing reviews of medication where appropriate. This promotes good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and young people are safeguarded by staff because they practice within clear safe practice guidelines and are knowledgeable about individual needs. There are clear behaviour management plans in place outlining risky behaviours and strategies. This encourages consistency in practice. Staff are trained in behaviour management techniques and refer to these within incident reports. However, reports describe the names of holds as opposed to describing the intervention of staff in full. This hinders effective monitoring of practice. Staff act appropriately when faced with challenging situations and sanctions used are fair and measured. Children and young people are clear about the rules and are given good levels of support following incidents and offered alternative ways of behaving. This helps to reduce the numbers of incidents occurring in the home. Staff are clear about the procedures to follow when children or young people are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

missing and there is clear and accountable reporting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff follow child protection guidelines and notify appropriately. Staff show sensitivity in practice when dealing with safeguarding concerns and put the child's safety and welfare first. Staff promote privacy and respect the bounds of confidentiality. A complaints process is in place which is known by children and young people. There have been no complaints made since the last inspection and children say they are supported well by staff. Children and young people are protected from bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people live in a safe environment and health and safety checks are appropriately carried out. The risk of fire is managed safely and children are actively involved in this regard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are protected from being exposed to potential abusers because staff are recruited safely and visitors to the home monitored effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Placement plans are in place prior to children and young people being admitted to the home and a thorough risk assessment is carried out to ensure that children's needs can be met. Staff 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385633 also complete more detailed placement plans following admission, which inform staff well how to meet a range of needs. However, the plans do not outline communication needs of children or whether any therapeutic intervention is being provided. This compromises consistency in practice and increases the risk of needs being missed.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Staff offer support to young people who have moved to independent living. A package of outreach support is in place and staff maintain relationships with young people encouraging a return to the home for tea or overnight stays during the initial leaving period. This encourages a smooth transition. Staff work with children and young people in the home to equip them with life skills, such as cooking, cleaning and washing. However, individual plans of support are not in place which discourages consistent and focused practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The statement of purpose clearly outlines the services and facilities provided by the home. Children and young people have been provided with a copy of the children's guide to the home which reflects well how the home is run and is available in a child friendly format.

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Organisation

Staff are appropriately trained and understand their roles. However, 80% of staff have not yet achieved their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People. Staff feel well supported by senior managers and communicate effectively with each other. Staff are well organised and appropriate in numbers to meet the needs of children accommodated. There is a relaxed, calm and welcoming atmosphere in the home.

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Organisation

A sound system is in place for monitoring the quality of care in the home which links directly to the home's development plan. There is effective monitoring of practice by the manager although matters relating to the need for clearer reporting on restraints have not been highlighted. The development plan reflects highlighted areas for development and practice shortfalls are dealt with promptly. This encourages internal improvement.

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Organisation

Clear records are in place in relation to the care provided to children and young people and these are outcome focused. However, not all records were available for inspection on the premises which includes Regulation 33 reports and placement plans. This compromises consistency and accountability.

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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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Due date Action Standard

4 September 2009 ensure the restraint record includes a description of the measure used (Regulation 17(4)(c)) 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385633 4 September 2009 maintain in the children's home records outlined in Schedules 3 and 4 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and ensure they are kept up to date, in particular placement plans and records monitoring the quality of care (Regulation 28(1)(a) and (b); Regulation 29(1)).

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the placement plan includes children's communication needs and any therapeutic techniques used (NMS 2.1) • ensure there is a comprehensive plan for young people preparing to leave care and to move into independent or semi-independent living, which specifies the support and assistance they will need to receive to enable a successful transition into adulthood (NMS 6.1) • ensure that 80% of care staff qualify to NVQ level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People (NMS 29.5). 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385633

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