Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stoke-on-Trent

SC008269 Unique reference number 10 February 2010 Inspection date Elaine Cray Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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16 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 7 Inspection Report: SC008269

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for three young people, of either sex, between the ages of 10 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The service provides medium- to long-term residential care and is owned by a private company.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located in a residential area that has easy access to local facilities and public transport. The house consists of a lounge, dining room, study and kitchen on the ground floor. There are three young people's bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. There are gardens to the front and rear of the house.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. The purpose of the inspection is to assess the key national minimum standards in the outcome area of staying safe and to check progress made on seven actions and five recommendations set at the full key inspection to the home on 16th November 2009.

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Summary

The outcome area staying safe is judged as satisfactory. Although one action and two recommendations from the previous inspection are not met, these do not directly impact on the welfare and safety of the young people and the overall judgement rating remains as satisfactory.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a satisfactory service to the young people. Young people identify with improvements in their behaviour and say they go missing less. They enjoy their own private space, are protected from bullying and know how to use the complaints procedure. Although there are clear processes for safeguarding young people, the risk assessment regarding lone working is not updated in terms of the presenting behaviours of young people and the impact on staffing arrangements. A previous requirement regarding a risk assessment for carrying out physical restraints in the confines of the house remains outstanding. Recommendations regarding recording in the sanctions and restraint logs are not met.

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Summary

Two actions and two recommendations are made as a result of this visit. 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

The service was required to improve educational opportunities for young people and this is addressed with an educational routine and weekly education programmes for young people. Young people’s placement care plans are also improved; they are up to date and represent young people's views. Staff have also improved the recording of guidance, advice and support provided to young people in key working sessions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service was asked to improve recording processes in the sanctions and restraint logs. Staff now make sure they write up restraints within 24 hours of incidents taking place and include the effectiveness of the measures used. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC008269 The service was asked to improve the content of Regulation 33 and 34 checks and records show a clear record for these visits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young people’s welfare is promoted by staff who are trained in procedures and practices for promoting their welfare and safety. Although young people say they feel safe and see improvements in their behaviour, there some weaknesses in the review and recording processes for safeguarding young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are risk assessment and management strategies documented for each young person and about the general running of the home. However, the assessment of lone working is not responsive to changes in young people’s escalating difficult behaviour. Young people's welfare is potentially compromised particularly in terms of behaviour management, physical intervention and the safe supervision of other young people living in the home. Although recording in the home is improved, actions and recommendations relating to documenting sanctions and restraint are only partially met. There is no assessment regarding the use of restraint in the confines of the home. The format for recording in the sanctions book is not updated to include a section for the names of other staff, young people or others present when sanctions are given. Additionally restraint records show that staff talk to young people about their behaviour, but

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

do not discuss their views about how restraint has been carried out. There continues to be a strong focus on rewarding young people for improved and positive behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear policies and procedures regarding the recruitment of staff, which are in line with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and national minimum standards. Young people are looked after by staff trained in safeguarding children procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by clear procedures for when they go missing. There is extensive liaison with the police, the safeguarding team and other agencies to promote the safety of young people, who place themselves at significant risk. Young people say they go missing from the home less often and they understand the importance of maintaining contact with staff. Staff know who to notify about serious incidents in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy of young people is respected and young people enjoy their own private space. There is an anti-bullying policy and strategies are documented in risk assessments and placement care plans. Young people are protected by a clear written complaints procedure with information included in the young people’s guide. The manager and staff show a good commitment to listening to young people, who say their concerns are taken seriously and sorted out by the manager and staff.

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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, monitored and young people know what to do in the event of a fire.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC008269 Young people are supported with education programmes and the routines in the home are organised to engage and encourage young people’s participation in educational activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's needs and support are identified in placement care plans, which are kept up to date and represent young people's views. Key workers maintain records of the guidance, advice and support provided to young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Records show that Regulation 33 and 34 checks are carried out and recorded.

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Organisation

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

31 March 2010 ensure unnecessary risks to the health or safety of children accommodated in the home are identified and so far as possible eliminated, this is with particular regard to implementing the home’s physical restraint procedure within the confines of the house (Regulation 17) 31 March 2010 ensure unnecessary risks to the health or safety of children accommodated in the home are identified and so far as possible eliminated, this is with particular regard to risk assessing lone working in the home. (Regulation 23 (c))

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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): 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC008269 • ensure the names of staff members, young people and any other persons present when giving a sanction are recorded in the sanctions book - in addition to the member of staff issuing the sanction (NMS 22.10) • encourage children to write or have their views recorded and sign their names, if possible in the records kept by the home, when disciplinary measures or restraint are used. (NMS 22.14) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC008269

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