Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in Wokingham

SC054468 Unique reference number 19 May 2009 Inspection date John Chivers Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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9 September 2008 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 10 Inspection Report: SC054468

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Brief description of the service

The home is for up to three children, aged between five years and under 18 years. There is therapeutic input available and the aim of the home is to achieve permanency within a family. The children usually remain at the home for up to two years before they move on.

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Brief description of the service

The home was built in the 1950s and is a conventional four-bedroom house with a large rear garden. It is situated on a quiet residential road near to public transport and a few miles from the centre. All local amenities are within easy reach.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and support to a high standard for children with a wide range of needs.

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Summary

The inspection was a 'key' inspection and unannounced. All of the key standards in the National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes in the sections Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation, were assessed on this occasion. There were no actions or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection and no actions or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. The home is organised and managed to a high standard and affords an equal standard of care and support to the resident young people, having full regard for equality and diversity issues throughout all aspects of its operation. 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

There were no areas actioned or recommended for improvement as a result of the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The home has full regard for health and medical matters concerning the young people and ensures that these areas are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Young people are encouraged to eat a healthy diet, having regard for any special or ethnic diets, purchase and prepare their own meals and live healthy lifestyles.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home's menu provides for a balanced and healthy diet and staff advise young people on aspects of healthy eating. Young people are encouraged to shop for provisions and prepare meals themselves as part of their independence training programmes. There is regard for ethnic diets and any other special or preferential diets are catered for. The kitchen area is of domestic size, modern and well equipped. Provisions are safely and correctly stored and freezer and refrigerator temperatures are taken and recorded. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the kitchen and food storage. Quality food items and provisions are in evidence. Staff are trained in food hygiene and two new staff are scheduled to receive such training in the near future.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home has a range of health and medication related policies and procedures which provide staff with clear guidance and instructions on all health and medical matters. There are 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468 comprehensive health and medical histories held in young people's individual files which show evidence of monitoring and review. Written and signed parental consent forms regarding first aid, medication administration and emergency medical treatment are also held. Health and medical risk assessments are held on each young person. Young people's health care plans are comprehensive and cover a number of relevant areas. Visits to the doctor, dentist and other health care professionals are clearly recorded. Any special cultural needs such as hair and skin care are catered for as appropriate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young peoples medication administration records show clear and consistent recording and are diligently kept by staff. Medication is securely held in a locked metal cabinet and a record of disposal regarding old or discarded medication via the local pharmacy is available. All staff are trained in medication administration and first aid and refresher courses in this are held periodically. New staff receive basic medication training at induction and progress to more comprehensive training at a later stage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The home has a policy and procedure regarding privacy and confidentiality of which all staff are aware and which is covered as part of the staff induction programme. A telephone is available for young people's use without reference to staff, though currently all young people have their own mobile phones. Young people are able to lock their bedroom doors and lockable boxes are provided in which young people can keep any valued or treasured possessions. Toilet and bathing facilities are of a very good standard and afford privacy. Confidential records are securely held in locked drawers and cabinets and kept within a locked office. There is adequate space for young people to meet their parents and other appropriate visitors in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a comprehensive complaints procedure and a staff whistleblowing policy is held. A simplified version of the complaints procedure is held in the young people's guide. All staff receive complaints training periodically. The home holds two complaints books, one for adults' use and one for young people's use. The adults' complaints book shows that no complaints have been received since the last inspection and the young people's book evidences that one complaint has been received during the same period. Recording is clear and details action taken and an outcome. Staff and young people raised no complaints or concerns during the inspection. The high standards of care and support at the home help to ensure that complaints or concerns are minimal.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a child protection policy and procedure and also holds the Berkshire County Council Multi Agency Safeguarding procedures. Staff are clear regarding the home's child protection procedures. Staff receive training in child protection at induction and such training is updated periodically. Young people learn about aspects of personal safety via their school's Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) programme and this is reinforced by staff during their daily contact with young people and via their independence training programmes. The manager said there are no current child protection or safeguarding issues at the home and young people raised no issues in this area during the inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has an anti bullying policy and procedure and such information is also detailed in the Young People's Guide. Staff receive training in anti bullying at induction. Young people appear settled in the home, interact well with each other and do not mention bullying as an issue. No bullying or intimidating behaviour among the young people is evident and the homely 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468 and accepting atmosphere coupled with staff alertness regarding such conduct helps reduce the likelihood of bullying occurring.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a comprehensive behaviour management policy and uses the 'Team Teach' programme of behaviour management which is a recognised and approved method of behaviour management in children and young people's residential settings. Staff receive training in behaviour management and the home was awarded the 'Team Teach Gold Star Award' in 2007 regarding its behaviour management arrangements. Young people's behaviour is managed via excellent professional working relationships between staff and young people. Each young person has an individual positive handling plan and behaviour risk assessment which is closely monitored and reviewed by staff. Young people respond well to staff requests and instructions and there is evidence of mutual trust and respect. The home's sanctions and restraint books show clear and detailed recording and all entries in the books evidence that only permitted sanctions and approved methods of restraint are used and that the restraint used appears

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the records. Sanctions and restraint are sparingly used. Currently none of the young people pose significant issues regarding behaviour management and control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a health and safety policy and the 'health and safety law' poster is prominently displayed. Staff receive training in health and safety via an external company. The home has a current fire risk assessment and fire evacuation drills and fire alarm tests occur at the prescribed frequencies. There is evidence of current servicing and maintenance of fire fighting equipment. Staff receive fire awareness training. There are current utility safety test certificates available, including a weekly test for carbon monoxide. There is a clear record of accidents which are recorded consistent with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. The home has a wide range of generic risk assessments which are monitored and reviewed on an annual basis. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed. The home takes active steps to keep young

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a staff recruitment policy and procedure. The personal files of two recently appointed staff show that the home's recruitment and vetting procedures are sound and evidence all statutory information including two written references and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level. The home's recruitment and vetting arrangements help ensure that only suitable staff are employed to look after the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The home's key workers and staff provide an excellent level of individual support to young people. This is achieved via the home's key worker system where key workers meet with young people on a weekly basis and discuss, monitor and review a range of areas. Comprehensive monthly reports prepared by key workers are available. In addition the home seeks external support from a range of specialists and professionals as appropriate. Young people benefit from committed and experienced staff who facilitate good supervision and create and maintain a homely and accepting environment where young people can mature and develop and take appropriate risks consistent with their age, level of development and agreed risk assessments.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's education histories are held on their individual files. Statements of Special Educational Needs are held as appropriate and young people's Personal Education Plans are 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468 available. The home liaises closely with schools that young people attend and take active steps in conjunction with other relevant services to find suitable schools for those who do not have current school placements. Home tuition is arranged where appropriate and preparation for attending college and work experience is strongly encouraged. Staff fully support and encourage young people's education and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The home ensures that placement plans and care plans are in place and that these areas are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Young people benefit from clear admissions criteria and comprehensive independence training programmes as they get older. Staff actively seek the views and opinions of young people and involve them in decisions made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have comprehensive placement plans and care plans in place. In addition there are also 'therapeutic' care plans and 'child friendly' care plans available. All plans are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis as are comprehensive risk assessments on individual young people. Young people are aware of their individual future plans and are in agreement with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Statutory reviews are held at the prescribed frequency and past and current review reports are held on young people's individual files. Young people can make a written or verbal contribution to their reviews and attend them if they wish to do so. Key workers prepare the appropriate section of the review reports which are detailed, informative and written to a high standard, showing targets and action points.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's contact arrangements are decided on an individual basis and any contact young people have with their parents or significant others is clearly recorded. The home also has permission forms regarding any overnight stays that young people may have with appropriate relatives and friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has clear admissions criteria which also include pre-admission visits and overnight stays at the home as appropriate. Currently all of the young people are within the home's remit and are consistently matched to the admission criteria. Young people are appropriately prepared for leaving the home and older young people are subject to a comprehensive independence training programme covering 18 areas and headings. The independence training programme is administered in conjunction with the placing authority's 'pathway and leaving care teams'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has a range of forums where young people can communicate their views and opinions and exercise choice. This may be via one to one meetings with key workers or monthly house meetings which are led and chaired by the young people. The company which administers the home also has a 'children's rights' group of which some residents of the home are members and attend such meetings. Informal meetings with the young people are also held on a daily basis. Young people have access to an independent person who they can contact if they wish.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people are prepared for leaving the home in a planned way and are subject to a comprehensive independence training programme which has been detailed previously. Young 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468 people receive pocket money and a savings allowance. There is also a personal requisites allowance and a clothing allowance. Young people are well presented in age/fashion appropriate clothing.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to an exceptionally high standard and is very well maintained. Communal areas provide adequate space for relaxation and activities and there is a wide range of play and learning equipment and materials available. Young people's bedrooms are of an equal standard and are personalised. Toilet and bathing facilities are of a high standard and afford privacy. The garden area is attractive and well maintained. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed. The home provides a high standard of accommodation for the resident young people and enables them to live in a homely, comfortable and safe environment.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding with the home paying close attention to young people's particular needs in these areas and reinforcing positive attitudes regarding equality and diversity in all aspects of its operation. The home is organised and managed to a high standard and affords an equal standard of care and support to the resident young people.

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Organisation

The home has a comprehensive Statement of Purpose which accurately describes the facilities and service provided by the home. In addition there is a Parents Guide, a Young People's Guide and a 'Welcome Book'. These documents are reviewed annually and provide an excellent range of information.

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Organisation

The home's staff duty roster is available and gives a clear account of staff on duty and duty time worked. The home is sufficiently staffed by day and night and between two and three staff are on duty at any given time during the waking day. Most staff have substantial experience of working with young people in residential settings and less experienced staff are closely supervised and monitored by their more experienced colleagues. The staff team have a balance in terms of gender and ethnicity. The staff team work in a committed, competent and professional way and the combination of their skills and experience enable them to give a high standard of care to the young people and further enable the home to achieve its aims and objectives.

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Organisation

Most staff hold the National Vocational Qualification 'NVQ' at Level 3 or 4 and another member of staff is currently undertaking Level 4 training. New staff will have the opportunity of enrolling on NVQ level 3 training in the near future. The home has an active training programme and is committed to staff in this area. There is a staff supervision policy and all staff have supervision contracts. Formal supervision occurs on a monthly basis and written notes of supervision sessions are available. Staff are appraised annually and appraisal reports are held. In addition each member of staff has a personal development plan.

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Organisation

There is a high level of communication between staff with staff 'handovers' occurring twice a day. Full staff team meetings are held monthly and minutes of meetings are taken and are available. Staff are fully supportive of the home's management and ethos and are clear that the home has positive regard for equal opportunities and equality and diversity issues and that no discriminatory attitudes or practice exist within the service. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468 The manager or designated senior member of staff monitors the conduct of the home on a regular basis and signs appropriate records. There are also service feedback forms for parents, staff and social workers to complete which act as a sound internal quality assurance mechanism. Regulation 33 (monthly) visits occur and reports on the visits are available. The visit reports are detailed and are an effective way of monitoring and scrutinising the home's operation.

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Organisation

Young people's individual case files are organised and maintained to a high standard, are diligently kept by staff and hold all statutory and required information.

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Organisation

The home has a current insurance liability certificate.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 9 of 10 Inspection Report: SC054468

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