Lower Roach End Farm

SC005048 Unique reference number 30 March 2010 Inspection date Elaine Cray Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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9 November 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: SC005048

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for eight children, of either sex, between the ages seven and 12 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private company.

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Brief description of the service

The house is an adapted farmhouse and its location is rural and isolated. The service has its own transport to access local community facilities. The house consists of two lounges, a music room, a large kitchen and dining room on the ground floor. Young people’s bedrooms and adjacent bathrooms are located on the first floor. There are extensive front and rear gardens, including play equipment and a small football pitch.

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Brief description of the service

The home has a school on site, which is registered with Department for Children, Schools and Families and is inspected by Ofsted.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. The purpose of the visit is to assess the key standards under staying safe from the children's home national minimum standards and to check progress made on three actions set at the full inspection to the home on 9 November 2009.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good service to the children. A judgement of good has been made under the outcome area of staying safe. There are clear procedures to keep children safe. Relationships between staff and children are very positive and behaviour is well managed. There are strong boundaries, consistent reward and celebration for improved behaviour and children feel good about the progress they are making at the home.

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Summary

One action from the previous inspection is partially met and repeated as a result of this inspection. 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 home's rota has been improved to include the manager's hours. The home was also asked to provide a record of medication administered to children, in addition to the children's own individual records. There is now a central record for all medication received, administered and disposed of in the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The children's guide has been partially improved to reflect the age and understanding of the children living at the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There are individual children's records and a home's central record for the receipt, disposal and administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Not all the key standards were assessed at this inspection and therefore the outcome judgement remains the same as at the previous inspection. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005048

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety and welfare is placed in high priority ; children say they feel safe and are able to see the benefits from the improvements in their behaviour. Children are safeguarded by robust staff recruitment and selection processes. Staff are trained in safeguarding children and behaviour management. Children's safety is supported with clear implementation of a range of organisational policies and procedures. Staff are fully aware of who to notify about serious incidents in the home, including children going missing from the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding procedures and practices are well managed. Children are protected with clear and comprehensively documented risk assessment and management strategies. Appropriate staffing levels ensure children are kept safe and receive appropriate support. Staff supervision of children is detailed, consistent and intrinsic to maintaining appropriate boundaries, monitoring bullying and providing appropriate levels of vigilance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff present a clear understanding of the sometimes complex and challenging behaviour presented by children. Staff consistently set and take time to explain clear boundaries and then regularly praise, reward and reinforce positive behaviour. Incidents of when things do not go well for children are quickly dealt with, the consequences discussed and appropriate actions taken. Children say sanctions are fair and they enjoy the praise and rewards they receive for improved and good behaviour. Children feel good about the improvements in their behaviour and they enjoy positive relationships with staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s privacy is respected and they enjoy their own private space. There is an anti-bullying policy and staff present an excellent understanding of group dynamics and a clear commitment to protecting children and encouraging them to make positive relationships. There are clear complaints processes. Children say they know how to complain and are confident that staff will listen to their concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The physical environment is well maintained and monitored in terms of health and safety, with comprehensive and detailed documentation. Fire safety procedures are checked and monitored.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The acting manager's hours are now recorded on the staff rota to give an accurate picture of the staffing of the home. Some of the information in the children's guide has been changed to reflect the age and understanding of the children living at the home to begin to make it more effective in supporting the children's understanding of the care they receive. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005048 Not all the key standards were assessed at this inspection and therefore the outcome judgement remains the same as at the previous inspection.

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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

7 May 2010 continue to develop the children’s guide to reflect the age, understanding and communication needs of the children accommodated in the home. (Regulation 4.4)

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005048

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