Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Greenwich

SC386134 Unique reference number 26 May 2009 Inspection date Lucy Ansell Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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17 December 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 9 Inspection Report: SC386134

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Brief description of the service

This is a five bedded unit for young people, male and female, between the ages 13-17 years who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers flexible packages of care including long-term care. One bed is for emergency admissions or respite care. The home is a semi-detached house. The property is comfortable and spacious and is served by good rail and bus links, has local parks and town centre close by.

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection all key standards were inspected. Young people's welfare is enhanced by the good relationships with the staff and also with their peer group. Young people are encouraged to eat healthily, take regular exercise, and be fully involved in the community. The home works closely with a wide range of outside agencies in order to meet individual young people's needs. Although a fairly inexperienced staff team, they are well supported, and committed to their roles. The Registered Manager has a strong commitment and focus on improvement and moving forward with her team. 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

This is the first inspection for this home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are provided with a healthy, well-balanced diet. They have a choice in the food that is provided and help with planning, shopping and cooking as part of their independence plan. Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided. The young people spoken to said the food was of a good standard. The home is exploring ways to expand its knowledge and understanding of food from different cultural backgrounds. All meals are eaten together in a social setting around the kitchen table.

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Helping children to be healthy

Individual health care planning is in place for each young person. Access to health care professionals and therapists provides young people with the support they need. Staff create opportunities to ensure the young people's good health is promoted and discussed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication procedures and systems are in place; very little prescribed medication is in use at the home. Staff only receive in house training in medication administration and do not have any formal training. Staff have access to suitable medication administration guidance. There is a sufficient number of staff who are first aid trained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Systems are in place to enable young people to store personal items securely and the accommodation offers good levels of privacy. Staff are aware of the need for sensitivity when 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC386134 responding to gender issues and personal care arrangements. Confidential information is appropriately stored and shared.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with various ways in which to raise complaints or concerns, which are dealt with seriously and promptly. Young people are also made aware of how to contact external agencies; the home has access to an independent visitor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained in safeguarding and have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. There are clear company procedures and systems that are in line with local safeguarding children board procedures. The staff do not have knowledge or experience of local authority procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying and staff receive appropriate training. They have access to information on protection from bullying in the home and within their children's guide.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures are in place and followed if a child becomes absent from the home without consent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide a consistent and fair approach to young peoples inappropriate behaviour. Positive behaviour is reinforced through effective reward systems. Training in the management of behaviour is provided. Individual incident reports are cross-referenced with bound records. Young people understand that boundaries are in place to keep them safe and respect this. There is a very low incidence of restraints and sanctions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to keep young people and staff in the home safe through regular review and update of environmental and fire risk assessments. Fire tests are undertaken and equipment is serviced at regular intervals. Service certificates are kept up to date. Health and safety audits are routinely undertaken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The company has sound recruitment and selection procedures. Proof of identity, references and work history checks are undertaken. Criminal Record Bureau checks are obtained before staff commence work.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Staff work extremely hard to provide young people with individualised support and assist them to develop and achieve at their own pace. They are encouraged and nurtured to become involved in the home's social group and to develop friendships. Support and advice is provided by staff and professional services are accessed where needed. Each young person spoken to felt they had made progress since admission. Staff encourage young people to achieve, and appropriate risk assessments are undertaken to keep them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has been very successful in working with young people to promote educational achievement and to ensure young people are supported not just in their own educational facility but also mainstream education. Staff work closely with schools to promote well-being and to support the young people with class work. The school and home are closely linked and meet regularly to discuss the young people's achievements. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC386134 Young people are provided with excellent opportunities to participate in a range of activities and leisure pursuits to help them develop their skills and self-confidence, for example, swimming, bowling, shopping, cinema or go-karting. The young people are encouraged to be involved in the local community and use organisational resources like a caravanning holiday, as well as local clubs. The young people have also volunteered to give their views and ideas of being in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

care to assist the National Children's Bureau who are undertaking a national survey.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The home provides individualised care planning to a very high standard. Care plans detail children's assessed needs, how these will be met and implemented, and the desired outcome for the child. However specific targets are not clearly outcome focussed. Young people are involved with their key worker in this process as appropriate to their wishes and level of understanding. The manager ensures care staff are focussed on the daily action plans and they all work together on positive responses to behaviour. Working as a cohesive team, which is beneficial to the well being of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are consulted about their wishes for the future before their review and are encouraged and supported to attend the review. Staff review care plans and supporting documents every three months but update these more regularly as required. Staff provide social workers with detailed monthly reports.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are provided with and supported to have constructive contact with family and friends. Individual contact arrangements are clearly recorded. Staff ensure young people are able to communicate with significant people, and are supported after visits, by letter and telephone contact.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home works exceptionally well in promoting children's views; seeking their input into the running of the home, and being involved in key decisions that may affect their future. Children have a range of ways in which they can be heard and receive feedback. The company has systems in place to consult with, parents and social workers.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to set up building society accounts and are assisted to save for special purchases. Records are kept of monies provided to young people, and sufficient funds are available for trips and outings.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is located in close proximity to local shops, amenities and public transport. It is well designed and has a homely feel. There is a lounge and kitchen/diner and conservatory that serves as a 'chill out' and computer room. There are a number of toilet and bathroom facilities and young people can choose between having a bath or a shower. There are separate staff facilities but the staff toilet did not have paper towels. Young people's rooms are individual and reflect personal tastes and interests. Several of the bedrooms did not have enough storage facilities. There is a large well maintained garden with plans for a barbeque area and free standing pool. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC386134

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home's Statement of Purpose and the children's guide are kept under review and provide information on what can be expected from the home.

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Organisation

The new manager provides a strong and enabling environment to a staff team who are being guided and empowered. The home is well staffed with a team that can now provide a balance of genders and experience. Staff receive regular supervision and will get annual appraisals. There are team meetings each week to ensure staff are fully informed and are working consistently with children.

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Organisation

Staff are well supported and encouraged to develop their knowledge through attendance at appropriate courses such as safeguarding, first aid, fire safety, anti-bullying and health care. The staff are just enrolling on the NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. Staff are taken through a comprehensive induction process, provided by the Workforce Development Council and the home's own internal procedures.

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Organisation

The home is fully staffed by a Registered Manager, deputy manager, and support workers. There is a four hour staff handover every week. Staff have the time they need to complete records and to spend time with individual children. Staffing levels are adjusted to ensure that sufficient staff are on duty at key times of the day and night to meet the individual needs of children. There are two staff members on sleep-in duty at night, one male and one female.

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Organisation

The company employs a quality assurance manager to carry out monthly regulation 33 visits to the home, and to monitor the welfare of children. Reports are well detailed and provide the Registered Manager with a summary of any actions that may be needed. The Registered Manager carries out monthly reviews on the quality of care in the home, and will be sending out quality assurance questionnaires at the end of the summer.

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Organisation

The home provides a good record of the children's needs, development and progress.

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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

26 March 2010 ensure all staff hold relevant NVQ 3 (Regulation 17) 31 24 December 2009 ensure staff are appropriately trained to ensure the safe handling and administration of any medications (Regulation 21.1)

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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): 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC386134 • ensure all bedrooms have sufficient storage facilities (NMS 24) • ensure staff have access to local authority training on safeguarding (NMS 17) • ensure paper towels are supplied in the staff toilet (NMS 25) • ensure targets and goals are achievable and well evidenced within paperwork (NMS 2) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC386134

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