Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

SC065313 Unique reference number 4 September 2009 Inspection date Stephen Trainor Inspector Key Type of 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 11 Inspection Report: SC065313

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Brief description of the service

A private organisation operates the children home and it is registered to care for up to three children and young people, both genders, from the age of 10 years up to 17 years old. Services were being provided for only one resident in line with a service level agreement at the time of this visit. A brief discussion was possible with the young person resident.

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Brief description of the service

The house is semi-detached on a housing estate and has no distinguishing features to suggest it is a children's home. Accommodation comprises of individual bedrooms, two bathrooms, through lounge and a dining area and conservatory. There is a patio and garden area to the rear of the building. Office space is separate.

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Brief description of the service

The young people can gain access to many community resources including parks, cinema and sports and athletics facilities and local beaches. Bus routes connect the home with the local community and the national rail link. Shops and supermarkets are accessible within the surrounding community.

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Summary

This inspection was unannounced. This report comments on every outcome heading covering all the key Children's Homes National Minimum Standards (NMS). Actions and recommendations made during the last inspection were evaluated.

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Summary

This is a good children's home in every respect. The home recently reopened and the recent service history shows that the home's management and operation is being coordinated safely and the support provided enables residents to achieve and develop their potential. A home's development plan has successfully been implemented. The quality of practice enables young people to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence and plan for their futures. Young people's specific needs are being met by a small team of competent staff.

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Summary

Residents are settled and on the vast majority of occasions are providing their full cooperation. They remain focused in their placements and gain valuable skills that will be needed when they move on from the home. Many different professionals and agencies are providing support. There is a clear focus on residents’ futures. Independence training, parenting skills, pathway and after care planning is being coordinated well.

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Summary

Quality assurance systems show that the management team are reflecting on practice. This enables the service to be developed in line with past inspection report recommendations as well as introducing new initiatives. Communication between the home’s management and Ofsted is good. Staff practice embraces equality and diversity principles throughout the range of services being provided. Good health support is provided. The organisation responsible for the home has its own school to support educational needs.

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Summary

The Registered Manager has coordinated services that allow young people to experience safe and stable lifestyles. There have been few behavioural management problems, no safeguarding concerns, no complaints and no reportable incidents. Consultation and communication between staff and the young people is good. Respectful relationships are established. 4 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 This report highlights some recommendations to support practice developments. The home is providing a specialised service that is not yet reflected within its statement of purpose, policies and procedures; the young persons guide is not suitable; changes to placement and pathway plans have not yet been finalised and the safeguarding policy has not been ratified by the local safeguarding team and needs to be submitted for comment. 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

Actions and recommendations made at the last inspection have been suitably addressed or are in the process of being addressed in the case of ensuring staff hold relevant NVQ qualifications. There is a clear commitment to get all staff qualified.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home's manager is now fully qualified and there is improved access to training. This means staff have more opportunities to develop their skills and look after the young people more effectively. Accurate records are being maintained on the management support being provided.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Robust recruitment and selection procedures are being followed and this is now reflected in the written information held on personnel files. Since the home reopened, monthly independent inspections have taken place covering the requirements of Regulation 33 visits. A small team of staff have been appointed to support the needs one young person.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. A specialist service is presently being provided at the home and this is clearly reflected in the plans and programmes being followed. Staff provide good health and wellbeing support and work closely with medically trained nurses, agencies and professionals whom provide good advice and guidance. The key worker system coordinates support efficiently and this includes health promotion work covering matters such as sexual relationships, mother and baby issues, smoking cessation, drug and alcohol misuse and healthy living. The young people develop skills, gain knowledge and have choices on how to lead safe and healthier lives. There is access to specialist services to support mental health and wellbeing when required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people are fit and healthy and their health plans are up to date. This means that support can continue to be coordinated as individuals circumstances change. The management team ensure that full health histories are gained as part of the referral and introduction procedures. Annual statutory medicals are being organised. Parental permissions for emergency and operative treatment are gained. Staff are trained in first aid and safe handling and management of medicines. No prescription or non-prescription medication were being used. Medication, when used, can be stored safely within steel cabinets.

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Helping children to be healthy

Policy is established and recording formats are available for the times that medication is used. The promotion of the young people’s health and well-being is a key priority throughout the time they live at the home. The young people’s welfare is closely monitored and their health needs are well met. Routine doctor, optical and dental appointments are being organised. Young people confirm that they are aware of their health arrangements. 5 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 Individual catering arrangements are planned for. A flexible approach to menu planning allows good choice with the foods being prepared. This means that changes to eating habits and food preferences can be supported. There is good advice on eating healthily. Residents can work alongside staff in preparing meals and they develop skills through independence training to enable them to prepare their own meals. Independence training is a key focus of placements.

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Helping children to be healthy

A range of plans supports individual growth and the acquisition of skills. Self-care skills and skills for dependents are gained. Young people have developed an understanding and appreciation of their personal circumstances and they are working with staff planning for their futures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The staff and management team provide good continuity with the services provided. Operational systems are being implemented well. The arrangements for complaints, safeguarding children, bullying and behaviour management ensure that young people feel listened to and protected. This home provides suitable physical safety and security for young people resident. Young people are learning how to differentiate their behaviour according to the different settings and situations they find themselves in. This means that they can choose how to lead stable lifestyles. Behaviours improve considerably and mutual respect and trust is established between young people and staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Reporting systems and actions taken in response to significant incidents have been appropriate. Issues including those involving potential safeguarding matters are reported correctly. A clear decision making framework is established and this supports practice to ensure residents’ interests are given paramount importance. The home's management team work with other departments to allow individualised planning. There is good internal scrutiny of records and practice enabling a prompt response to anything identified. The Ofsted protocol for reporting significant incidents is known and followed and this helps to establish accurate records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding policy and procedural guidance is established. There is liaison with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to ensure practice remains consistent with local protocols. The policy has not been submitted to the safeguarding officer for comment. Staff have received training in order that they can respond appropriately to allegations or suspicions of abuse. Training in the wider safeguarding agenda has been delivered. Staff emphasise the need to report accurately and transparently when incidents occur. Suitable safeguarding and complaints information is provided for the young people within a guide. Staff uphold children's rights by coordinated support on a daily basis and this ensures young people remain fully involved in decisions affecting them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Placements are stable. There is effective use of positive reinforcement opposed to the use of sanctions. No physical intervention is permitted in accordance with plans and assessed needs. Reporting protocols are firmly established for the times that young people go missing from the home without permission. No reports have been made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An automatic response is being taken to accommodation and health and safety, and relevant certification is held to show servicing and maintenance is taking place on fire, gas and electrical installations and appliances. There is a premises fire risk assessment and regular fire drills are being carried out. The home has a fully operational fire system, which is above the normal 6 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 requirement for this type of dwelling. No hazards to the residents’ safety were observed. Suitable public and employee liability insurance is displayed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A random selection of personnel files was reviewed. Information held in-house confirmed that no staff had started work prior to being in receipt of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. A suitable checking system is evident throughout the recruitment process. Recruitment policy covers the decision making process to be followed when employing staff with cautions or convictions and the use of agency staff. Vetting of visitors to the home is undertaken with identity checks being carried out before access is permitted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Developing educational potential forms a clear part of the home's philosophy of care. For this reason, the organisation responsible for the home's operation has recently opened its own school. This school is registered with the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF). The school compliments educational arrangements within the surrounding community. Educational opportunities are tailored to meet individual needs. Residents have clearly laid out personal education plans. These should provide improved life opportunities and better prospects for the world of work. There are plans to complete GCSE’s at the conclusion of residents’ secondary school education. There is safe access to the internet at the home to support residents’ studies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff practice remains responsive for the times young people are most in need. A coordinated response is being taken in meeting the needs of young people living at the home. Support being provided is coordinated within a multidisciplinary framework, ensuring young people continually make progress. All work undertaken is subject to regular review. Specialist services have been accessed and these provide ongoing support and guidance. A good quality of care is being provided ensuring young people achieve and develop their potential and plan for parenthood.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Individual needs are clearly outlined within a range of plans including detailed placement plans, risk assessments and health plans. A timeline of events is being planned. This will ensure residents remain focussed and services to support needs are planned. Staff possess good knowledge on the young people living at the home and this allows them to successfully manage their behaviours. Staff are receptive to new ways of working and presented ideas on how services could be improved further.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff practice does engage the young people in activities to develop skills and individual potential. There is a changing emphasis on the types of recreation experiences that can be provided. Risk assessments highlight experiences to be avoided. Recreation is clearly linked to developing healthy life styles and parenting skills. There are suitable resources available at the home and within the surrounding community. Staff are good at utilising community resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Key worker relationships are caring and there is good commitment to providing the best possible experiences for the young people. Outcomes for the young people are positive and this clearly demonstrates that individualised care is provided. Statutory reviews take place at the correct 7 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 frequency enabling plans and targets to be adjusted, as individual needs change. Reports are being produced for each review and meeting. Staff discuss review recommendations ensuring that the young people fully comprehend decisions affecting them. The young people are encouraged to write down their views for reviews so that they are accurately conveyed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All staff support the key worker role now that the home is providing services for one young person. Key workers are knowledgeable and communicate on a daily basis to clarify or reiterate the exact arrangements in place for residents. Rules and boundaries are firmly established and overall accepted. Detailed written placement plans show the areas of work being addressed. A review of the placement plan is being undertaken and a meeting is scheduled to finalise arrangements. A timeline of action and planning is to be produced to capture support required up to July 2010. The placement is managed proactively in order that it provides focussed support for the changing needs of residents. A positive culture has been established at the home and this allows sensible negotiations between residents and staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Practice embraces the Every Child Matters framework that forms part of the government’s vision to improve children’s services. Efforts are enabling successful outcomes to be achieved. Plans highlight the response being taken to equality and diversity matters including religion and cultural identity. There is good clarity established within records, which provide a permanent overview on all the work that takes place. Information provides a clear account of individual progress and successes as well as the occasional disappointment. The format used for storing records allows easy access to pertinent information. The young people provided some positive comments on their experiences and confirmed that they are fully involved in decisions affecting them. Young people are treated fairly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home recently reopened. Referrals and introductions are being successfully matched to staff's skills and experience. The staffing structure has changed to support future mother and baby matters. Additional training is planned and this will compliment midwifery input. No future referrals will be considered. Consultation with partner agencies and professionals occur throughout the time that the young people live at the home. The home has a clear child centred philosophy of care outlined within the statement of purpose. The quality of care being provided is to a good standard. Systems are known by staff and sensibly implemented in order that the young people comprehend their full arrangements in place. Contact arrangements are clearly outlined. Many professional contacts support placements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Communication and appropriate consultation between staff, young people, family members, social workers and other professionals takes place. The ability of staff to maintain relationships with residents is acknowledged as a key factor in securing placement stability. The staff team work hard to ensure placements remain focussed. The home's management team provides regular summaries on residents' progress through ongoing evaluation of placement plans. This shows a clear commitment to improving the quality of care and experiences being gained at the home. The Registered Manager is working on a communication strategy. This will help to manage the interface between staff and different professionals supporting the young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The management team is familiar with the formal response required for pathway and aftercare planning. Plans are being developed through statutory review procedures. Assessments include input from residents, staff and social workers. This approach ensures decisions are agreed and 8 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 areas of responsibility are known from the outset. The age and stage of residents' placements meant that formal pathway planning was now required. Assessments are being completed and plans are being produced to reflect a change in circumstances for one young person. Ongoing discussions are taking place to finalise the full range of issues to be covered.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Pathway plans will run in conjunction with other plans and clearly set out placement needs. Placement experiences provided at the home allow residents to gain life skills that will support them into adulthood. Programmes operated, routines followed and placement planning is clearly linked. Access to specialist services is integral to planning. This means that the young people are being prepared well for their future responsibilities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is safe, being decorated and furnished, to a good standard. There is good space and resources to meet the needs of the young people. The design and layout of the home manages to retain a homely and comfortable feel. The use of the space and the different rooms is well thought out. The young people value their surroundings. There is minimum damage to the fabric of the building. Maintenance is coordinated efficiently. Residents have their own bedroom. These areas are being suitably personalised. Bathing facilities are suitable. Bathrooms and toilets comply with National Minimum Standards for children’s homes. Established routines are suitable to ensure the accommodation remains clean and tidy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is located on the outskirts of a large council housing estate. Relationships and appropriate links with neighbours and the surrounding community are being maintained. Community resources are frequently utilised by residents. Staff provide advice to young people on how to stay safe when they are out in the community. The home is close to public transport, rail links, health and leisure facilities. Shops and supermarkets are close by, making food shopping easy. Relations with local community police are established.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Quality assurance systems are being used by the home's management team to develop the home's operation. A good example of this is a meeting schedule that provides genuine consultation opportunities for the young people and the professionals supporting placements. The Registered Manager is coordinating individualised support in line with agreed plans.

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Organisation

The home has remained stable since it reopened under the leadership of the Registered Manager and the support provided by three competent residential care workers. The management team continue to reflect on services being provided and this leads to ongoing improvements. Young people living at the home are benefiting from care planning that is capable of meeting their changing needs and requirements.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Policy and guidance has been produced and a good training programme has been delivered. The culture and ethos of the home is continually evolving. The service has been responsive in linking equality and diversity throughout the 24-hour curriculum. Equality and fairness is reflected within staff practice. Staff are good at listening to residents and allow individuals opportunity to voice their views, opinions and concerns. Transparent communication with residents and social workers demonstrates a real commitment to further improving equality in practice. The young people acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of residents is being addressed to a good standard. 9 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313 The staff team are experienced. Regular meetings take place between them to discuss practice

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Organisation

issues. There is good continuity with the services being provided. The staff team are well motivated and the positive working relationships that have been established ensure young people experience stable lifestyles. Management support provided means that staff are clear on their individual roles. Practice meets with the requirements of children's homes National Minimum Standards and associated regulations.

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Organisation

Deployment of staff is good. The staffing structure has been agreed. The needs of the young people are being met whilst ensuring the necessary administrative tasks are undertaken. The competencies and skills staff have continue to grow through access to training. This includes access to level 3 and level 4 National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ), which are recognised qualification to work and manage children and young people in residential settings. Staff have ether completed these awards or working towards them. The Registered Manager holds relevant qualifications for the post he occupies. The organisation responsible for this home has a training coordinator who ensures staff gain frequent access to relevant training.

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Organisation

Checks are taking place to monitor the home’s operation. Reports are maintained in-house and are made available to those permitted to read them. The reporting format includes consultation with young people, their parents and social workers. It has not always been possible to consult with parents during these visits. The management team are gathering other sources of evidence that will help in forming an opinion on the quality of care being provided. The home's management team have a detailed written development plan outlining how the home's operation will be maintained. There is improving use of self-evaluation and reflective practice is recognising areas where further improvements can be made.

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Organisation

The management systems used to record induction, foundation training and supervision provide good detail on the support being provided. The system for managing staff personal development and appraisal are integrated and there is good clarity within these management records. Records maintained on staff training attended are clear. Further training, specific to the needs of the young people, is being sourced.

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Organisation

Staff have relevant written guidance, policies and procedures to support their practice. The home's statement of purpose provides information in accordance with regulations. Aims and objectives as well as the philosophy of care are outlined. Management have recognised the need to make changes to these important documents to reflect the different services required to support the present young people. A new young persons guide is also required. In the interim, the present guidance remains suitable to ensure a consistent response continues to be taken to support residents.

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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): • ensure the home's safeguarding procedures are discussed and formally ratified by the local safeguarding children's board (NMS 17.4) • ensure detailed arrangements, the placement plan, is finalised at the next review to enable specialised services to be coordinated for the young person resident (NMS 2.1 & 7.1) • develop comprehensive pathway and after care support and outline this within relevant programmes and plans (NMS 6.1 & 6.2) • ensure the home's statement of purpose, policies and procedural guidance reflect the specialist services that are presently being provided (NMS 1.1 & 1.4) • review and reproduce the children's guide in a format suited to the present residents age and understanding. (NMS 1.3) 11 of 11 Inspection Report: SC065313

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