Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Rochdale

SC049189 Unique reference number 16 February 2010 Inspection date Robert Curr Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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17 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: SC049189

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Brief description of the service

The home consists of two adjoining terrace houses linked by an internal connecting door. The home provides accommodation for up to three young people of either sex aged between 11 and 18 years.

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Brief description of the service

The ground floor of the home has two lounges, two kitchens and two dining areas. The first floor has five bedrooms. There are three bedrooms for young people, allowing each young person to have their own room. The two remaining bedrooms are for staff and office use. Parking is available to the side of the home and on the main road at the front of the home.

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Brief description of the service

Young people are accommodated from placing local authorities and from existing homes within the organisation. The home is not adapted to accommodate young people with a physical disability.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection two young people were present and participated in the inspection process.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. Matters looked at during this visit relate to the outcome area of staying safe and recommendations made at the last inspection. Details of the previous recommendations are outlined in the improvement section of this report.

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Summary

The outcome area of staying safe is not met although staff have an understanding about keeping young people safe from harm. Young people's privacy and confidentiality is respected by staff. Young peoples freedom of movement is restricted by the locking of internal doors during the night. Systems exist for young people to be supported to raise any issue or concern they may have about their support.

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Summary

The organisation's aim to have the appropriate number of staff holding a National Vocational Qualification must be maintained. 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

At the last inspection the registered person was asked to take action in relation to an aspect of staying safe, enjoying and achieving, economic well being and organisation. This included fire and electrical safety, educational facilities and staff training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All staff have undertaken fire drill practices but portable electrical appliance testing procedures are still not complete.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people still do not have a computer to support them with their education and the gas fire in the lounge still looks unsightly and unpleasant. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC049189 All staff receive supervision at the recommended intervals and although progress has been made overall in relation to staff training, National Vocational Qualification ratios do not meet current standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The arrangements to safeguard and promote the safety and welfare of young people are satisfactory. There are systems in place to protect vulnerable young people, such as, effective working with local safeguarding agencies, prompt responses to young people's concerns, complaints and allegations, and counter bullying policies. One young person said 'they don't allow bullying here'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff undertake child protection training and they are familiar with safeguarding procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are measures for protecting children from bullying and unauthorised absence. However, some doors are routinely locked internally in an attempt to keep young people safe, which is an excessive and unreasonable control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy. Arrangements for bathing ensure that young people's dignity is maintained. Staff check the identity of visitors to the home and they record the details of visits appropriately. The home is large enough for young people to have private space should they need it. There are secure arrangements for the storage of information about staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and visitors to the home are protected from hazards by the home's health and safety procedures. For example, gas and electrical safety checks are carried out. However, there is no evidence that electrical equipment checks are carried out by a competent person. The organisation has purchased suitable equipment for carrying out portable appliance testing, but this has not yet been implemented. This is not a safe and satisfactory arrangement. Risk assessments are completed and regularly updated, including those relating to young people's known or likely activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear and accurate fire safety records are held. Regular fire drills take place and checks on fire fighting equipment are up to date. All staff have undertaken a fire drill practice at the recommended frequency. This upholds the health and safety of the young people residing at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by the recruitment and selection process. Staff undergo appropriate checks before starting work at the home. The organisation ensures that staff apply for an enhanced criminal records bureau disclosure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people still do not have access to computers to undertake schoolwork or pursue leisure interests. This is not improving young people's prospects in relation to education. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC049189

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home is in a satisfactory decorative order. Staff are currently decorating the home to an acceptable standard which is improving the environment for the young people living there. However, the disused fire in the lounge remains unsightly as it is partly disassembled. This does not present as a homely and welcoming environment for the young people.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The manager maintains a matrix that is up to date and staff receive regular supervision sessions which provides them with support and professional guidance.

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Organisation

Young people's welfare is safeguarded by a committed staff team. The staff are in varying stages of achieving a qualification at National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. Currently the overall qualification recommendation is not met.

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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

16 February 2010 ensure that any measure of control is not excessive or unreasonable, in particular, the locking of internal doors during the night (Regulation 17) 16 February 2010 ensure that all parts of the home are free from hazards to children's safety, in particular ensuring that electrical appliances are tested by a competent person (Regulation 23) 31 March 2010 ensure all parts of the home used by children are kept well maintained, in particular remove the partially dismantled and disused gas fire in the lounge. (Regulation 31)

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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): • provide young people with a computer and access to the internet to carry out education work and for leisure pursuits (NMS 14) • ensure a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff complete a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent. (NMS 29) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC049189

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