Children's Home run by Acorn Care (UK) Limited in Darlington

SC390751 Unique reference number 28 September 2009 Inspection date Bill Drumm Inspector Key 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 9 Inspection Report: SC390751

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex, aged between 12 and 17 years old, who may be experiencing a range of social, emotional and behavioural problems.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached house with enclosed gardens to the front and rear. The house has three floors. The ground floor comprises of a kitchen, dining room, lounge and another room used as a staff office. There is also a staff office on the ground floor. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms and bathing facilities. On the second floor, there are two further bedrooms used by young people. Each young person has their own single bedroom.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to local shops. Bus routes are nearby if young people wish to visit the town centre with larger shops and leisure facilities.

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Brief description of the service

There are two young people currently living in this home, both of whom were present during the inspection. One young person contributed to the inspection process.

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Summary

This was the first inspection of the home since it became registered . The inspection was an unannounced key inspection and all of the outcome areas for young people were inspected. The outcome areas for being healthy, staying safe, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing were good. Outcome areas for enjoying and achieving and organisation were satisfactory. Overall, this is a satisfactory service.

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Summary

Members of staff were observed to treat the young people who live at the home with respect and are committed in helping them to achieve their maximum potential. Young people were observed to appear relaxed in their company and to have open and honest dialogue with members of staff on duty. Young people were observed to be friendly toward each other. Members of staff have an informal, friendly and relaxed manner toward young people living at the home.

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Summary

Members of the staff team have brought knowledge and skills to their work role from a range of different backgrounds. All staff members have undergone a period of initial induction and undertaken mandatory training in essential areas. Members of staff spoken to as part of the inspection process confirmed their commitment to providing a high quality service to young people.

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Summary

Monitoring processes within the home are of an acceptable standard although there was no evidence that essential areas had been looked at regularly to ensure compliance with national minimum standards. Staff recruitment procedures are very good and information retained about each member of the staff team is comprehensive. However, members of staff do not receive regular, formal supervision.

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Summary

Young people and members of staff meet regularly to share ideas about what the home does, and how standards and quality can be maintained. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751 This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This was the first inspection of the home following its registration.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The young people living at the home enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet and healthy eating is promoted. Young people have easy access to fresh fruit and meals often include fresh vegetables. One young person spoken to at the time of the inspection commented that, they had enough to eat and that meals were good and filling. Young people participate in the planning of menus and are encouraged to participate in shopping for food items. The home ensures that young people living there are able to follow the diet of their choice and to sample food from different countries and cultures.

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Helping children to be healthy

The healthcare needs of young people are promoted. Young people living at the home have their health care needs identified. The home has developed, good working relationships with health care professionals. Young people are supported and encouraged to attend meetings and appointments with them. Young people are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Members of staff encourage and support young people to attend all relevant appointments.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people living at the home are fully protected by the home’s medication administration systems. Policies and procedures relating to the safe handling and administration of medication are in place, and provide clear guidance for members of staff in the administration of prescribed medication and homely remedies. All members of staff have recently undertaken formal training in the safe handling and administration of medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people living at the home are treated with dignity and respect. Members of staff were observed to be pleasant and friendly towards the young people living at the home, and to encourage them to undertake specific tasks. One young person spoken to at the time of the inspection said, 'the staff here are ok, they nag you sometimes to do stuff, but they're ok'. There are sufficient bathrooms and toilets to meet the needs of the young people living at the home. Each young person has their own bedroom. Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms in a style of their own choice and to keep the rooms clean and tidy. Personal information relating to each young person is stored securely to prevent unauthorised access. Young people are able to make personal telephone calls in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are policies and procedures in place for dealing with complaints, and all members of staff working at the home have received training in the complaints process. There have been a number of complaints raised by neighbours since the home opened. Evidence looked at during the inspection indicates that these complaints have all been dealt with appropriately. The home has also received a number of compliments since opening. The young people's guide provides information to young people about the complaints process. Young people were observed at the time of the inspection to speak freely with all members of staff and to make their needs known. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751 Young people living at the home are protected from exploitation and abuse. A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures are available in the home. There have been two child protection referrals made since the home opened. In both instances, the home

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

raised their concerns appropriately with the local authority when a young person was placing themselves at risk. All members of staff working at the home, have undertaken training in safeguarding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from being targeted by bullies. The home has policies and procedures in place with regard to countering bullying and there have been no recorded incidents of bullying since the home opened. The young people's guide to the home includes information for young people about what action they should take if they feel bullies are targeting them. The manager of the home has undertaken a risk assessment of the times, places and circumstances when bullying might occur. Members of staff working at the home have all undertaken training in countering bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has policies and procedures in place with regard to what action members of staff should take if a young person is absent without authority. Procedures comply with national minimum standards. There have been a number of occasions since the home opened when a young person has been absent without authority. One young person spoken to at the time of the inspection said, 'I've run away a couple of times just for a laugh'. Written records inspected at the time of the inspection were accurate and completed appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has policies and procedures in place relating to the safe holding or restraint of young people, and members of staff have received appropriate training. Restraint records are retained within a separate bound and numbered book used specifically for that purpose. The manager and staff promote socially acceptable behaviour by offering on going support and encouragement to young people. The home also has policies and procedures in place relating to the sanctions that can be used to help young people improve their behaviour. Records of all sanctions given to young people are retained in a separate bound and numbered book used specifically for that purpose. All written records for sanctions and restraints included an evaluation of the measures used in order to establish their appropriateness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from fire and other hazards within the home. There are systems in place to ensure that young people, members of staff and visitors to the home are kept safe and free from hazards. Fire drills are carried out at regular intervals, including at night. The home's insurance certificate does not clearly state that the home has current public and employee liability insurance up to a minimum value.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home ensures the careful selection and vetting of all members of staff. The recruitment and selection processes used within the home are thorough. Each member of staff has provided evidence of proof of identity and previous qualifications and experience. The staff files include an up to date photograph of each member of staff as well as an up to date Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check at an enhanced level.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The progress of each young person is monitored. Young people living at the home receive individual help and support when they need it or when they request it. Each young person has their own key worker. Meetings between key workers and young people take place at regular 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751 intervals. The outcome of these meetings is fully recorded to ensure essential information is retained and changing needs are highlighted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Not all young people living at the home attend school, college or training. One young person has school work sent to them at the home, which members of staff are expected to encourage them to complete and then return. Another young person, who has a full time school placement was refusing to attend school on the days of the inspection. Both young people were observed to remain in bed until late morning and members of staff were not proactive in encouraging them to rise earlier. Young people are however encouraged and supported to develop their own hobbies and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people living at the home are appropriately placed. Each young person has their own placement plan, which outlines what their needs are and how they will be met. In order to help ensure that needs are met, the manager and members of staff undertake individual risk assessments of each young person and devise more detailed care plans following admissions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The needs of young people living at the home are regularly reviewed. The manager and members of staff regularly attend review meetings with partner agencies, changing needs are highlighted and appropriate actions are taken.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Where appropriate, young people are supported and encouraged to maintain regular contact with their friends and families. At the time of the inspection one parent was asked to become directly involved in supporting members of staff in encouraging school attendance. This was very good although not successful.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The admission procedure for the home includes, where appropriate, arrangements for the young people to visit before a placement is agreed. Members of staff try to make young people feel welcome and to understand what it will be like to live there.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and to influence how the home is run. Young people are encouraged to raise issues which affect their lives. The opinion of the young people living at the home is valued by members of staff. Regular meetings take place between staff members and the young people living at the home. One young person spoken to at the time of the inspection said, 'we have meetings, they're ok we talk about food and stuff'.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Members of staff encourage and support young people to take responsibility for their actions and to develop adult responsibilities. Young people are encouraged to participate in activities of daily living and to learn independence skills. Formal pathway plans, for those young people who are old enough, and written by the young peoples' social workers were not available within the home at the time of the inspection.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy homely accommodation that is decorated, furnished and maintained to a very high standard. Members of staff help to maintain the building and to keep it clean and 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751 tidy. Young people living at the home are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and they are encouraged to keep their home clean and tidy. One young person spoken to at the time of the inspection said, 'it's class here'.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home has enough bathrooms and toilets to meet the needs of the young people living there. However, one toilet does not provide privacy for the young people as the door to this area can be opened from the outside by anybody other than members of staff in an emergency.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Members of staff support and enable young people to participate in community based activities on an equal basis and to develop their own identity. The statement of purpose accurately describes what young people can expect from living at the home.

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Organisation

Young people are not looked after by members of staff who are fully supported and managed. Not all members of staff receive regular, formal supervision. Regular staff meetings are held, which give members of staff the opportunity to discuss individual young people and to seek advice and support from colleagues as well as the management team of the home.

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Organisation

Young people receive the care and services they need from competent staff. All members of staff are trained, or are undertaking training, to a minimum National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.

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Organisation

Members of staff are sufficient in number and experience to meet the needs of the young people living at the home. The home's rotas ensure that, where possible, there is a mix of both male and female staff on duty.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by staff who are well trained and competent to meet their needs. A record of all training received by members of staff is maintained within the home. All mandatory training is up to date.

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Organisation

The person carrying on the home monitors the welfare of the young people living there. Regular visits are made to the home by the responsible individual to ensure that the home is properly run and written reports are provided following these monitoring visits. However, it is unclear if all essential areas have been monitored.

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Organisation

The needs of young people are recorded, to reflect their individuality and daily records are maintained. Information relating to the care that young people receive is stored securely. Young people and their parents are able to access this information within the home if they request it.

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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

8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751 1 December 2009 ensure that all members of staff receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27 (4)(a)).

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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 all staff training in relation to the safe handling and administration of medication is kept up to date and relevant (NMS 13) • ensure that the home has current Public and Employee Liability insurance up to a minimum value (NMS 26.9) • ensure that all young people who are old enough have an up to date and comprehensive pathway plan (NMS 6) • ensure that only members of staff are able to open the doors to bathrooms, showers and toilets from the outside in an emergency (NMS 25.6) • evidence that written records retained in the home are inspected as part of the external monitoring of the home (NMS 32). 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC390751

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