Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Lancashire

SC009651 Unique reference number 29 December 2009 Inspection date Graham Robinson Inspector Random 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 6 Inspection Report: SC009651

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Brief description of the service

The home provides medium to long-term care for young people who are of primary school age on admission. It caters for children and young people who have an attachment disorder or attachment difficulty. All admissions are planned.

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Brief description of the service

The home is domestic in appearance. In most areas, it provides a child-friendly environment with space for young people to follow their individual interests.

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Brief description of the service

Young people are integrated into schools located within the area and participate in a variety of community-based leisure activities and pursuits.

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Brief description of the service

As well as providing residential provision, the organisation can provide individual therapeutic programmes. All such activities takes place away from the home environment. It is the responsibility of placing authorities who purchase therapeutic packages for a young person, to ensure they are appropriate to meet individual need.

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Summary

This short, unannounced interim inspection was used to follow up the recommendations made at the previous inspection. In addition, the key standards linked to staying safe were also reviewed along with some aspects of economic wellbeing. The overall quality rating made at the full inspection remains as it was.

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Summary

Since the previous inspection, there have been no changes to the management, staff complement, structure or working practices of the home. It continues to be well managed. A stable, caring environment is provided to four young people who, at times, may be challenging.

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Summary

Young people are relatively settled in the home and the relationships between them and staff were observed to be good. They are all in full time education at community based schools and enjoy a range of activities and leisure pursuits designed to meet individual needs.

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Summary

No issues, concerns or complaints were raised by either young people or staff. No new actions or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection, although a recommendation made previously has been carried over. 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

The report from the previous inspection contained no actions, but two recommendations. The first recommendation linked to ensuring that planning documentation identifies each young person's cultural and religious needs in greater detail has been addressed positively. The sections specifically covering these areas have been completed in more detail.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The second recommendation has been repeated, with further details appearing in the economic wellbeing section of this report. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC009651

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The safety and rights of both staff and young people are protected. The organisation, working practices and strategies designed to keep young people safe remain good. The records detailing complaints, unauthorised absence, formal notifications, sanctions and physical interventions are well maintained and reflect the stability of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to access the complaints procedures and have tested them since the previous inspection. Records of complaints are detailed, with responses to the complainant and the outcome being evident. Young people feel that staff respond positively to their worries and concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff understand their responsibilities around safeguarding matters and are familiar with the policy and procedures in place. The home has maintained good links with external agencies charged with specific safeguarding duties and any concerns raised, are immediately referred to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good working practices, coupled with appropriate staffing levels and deployment of staff around the home, helps to reduce incidents of bullying. A lively, sometimes volatile group of young people are well supervised and all feel the home is a safe place to live.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A full range of risk assessments identifying hazards and risks around and away from the home have been completed. These have recently been revised and updated. Appropriate service contracts are in place for fire, gas and electrical equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No changes were reported to the systems to clear and recruit staff, which have previously been judged to meet current good practice. No new staff have been recruited since the previous inspection.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. A general check of the premises show the home to be in a reasonable state of repair, despite some damage inflicted to the fabric of the building recently. However, despite some effort to improve its appearance since the previous inspection, the décor and some fitments in the first floor bathroom used by young people, does not provide a child friendly, welcoming environment. This was the subject of a previous recommendation and has been repeated.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC009651

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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): • create a more welcoming, child friendly environment in the bathing areas used by young people. (NMS 24.2). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC009651

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