Children's Home run by Cornerstone Children’s Homes Limited in Stockport

SC394478 Unique reference number 30 March 2010 Inspection date Anthony Kyem 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 8 Inspection Report: SC394478

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Brief description of the service

The home is a semi-detached four bedroom property, providing care and accommodation for three young people, between the ages of 11 and 17 years. The home is situated close to local amenities and bus routes and benefits from having easy access to the city centre.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and managed by a private company and is one of two children's homes registered with Ofsted. The home comprises two communal lounge areas, dining area, kitchen, laundry and washing facilities. There is also a staff sleep-in room and office.

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Summary

This was an unannounced key inspection. Young people are cared for by a dedicated staff team, who provide them with good levels of personal support. Young people's needs are assessed and these are well documented within well written placement plans. They receive support in line with their assessed needs, including access to specialist services and support. Young people's views about the service are positive and those spoken to valued the support provided to them.

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Summary

The staff team is able to respond to the diverse range of young people's needs. Young people are able to sustain contact with their families and friends, which ensures their unique identities and close relationships are maintained. The accommodation provided for young people is suitable and meets the needs and numbers of those resident.

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Summary

The performance of the home is consistently monitored to identify areas of practice which could be improved. Reports in relation to the home's conduct are produced for such purposes, to allow staff to take action and improve the home's performance.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection two recommendations have been made for the registered person to consider. One action has also been made in relation to environmental safety. 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 home's first inspection since registration with Ofsted. There are no actions or recommendations resulting from any previous inspections of the service.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people's health needs are sufficiently promoted. All are registered with doctors, dentists and opticians. By accessing routine health services, positive health outcomes are promoted. Young people's health needs are sufficiently recorded and form part of young people's placement plans.

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Helping children to be healthy

Not all young people have an individual health record, to clearly show all health appointments attended by them. One in three files inspected had an individual health record. Contact sheets provide similar information, but they are not as informative as the health record, which provides further details about young people's health. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC394478 Young people are encouraged by staff to eat healthily. They are consulted and involved with the home's food menus and with the planning and preparation of meals. Their food preferences are considered to ensure they enjoy the diverse range of foods provided for them. Meals prepared by staff are wholesome, varied and nutritious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication kept within the home is stored and administered safely. Only prescribed drugs are administered in line with the home's medication procedure. Staff are trained in the use of first aid, which enables them to administer emergency treatment competently. Suitable provisions are available within the home to provide young people with first aid, if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Good arrangements are made to promote young people's privacy. Their confidential records are securely stored to promote their right to privacy. Young people are provided with their own bedrooms and door keys, which enables them to be more independent and allows them to secure their own personal belongings safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are made aware of the home's complaints procedure on admission, so they know how to raise their concerns. Complaints records were found to be in order but one complaint, while documented, was not entered into the complaints book to accurately describe the total number of complaints received. The home has previously received a number of complaints from its neighbours; however, these have been resolved, with no complaints received in recent months.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no current safeguarding concerns to do with young people placing themselves, or others at risk of significant harm. Staff are trained in safeguarding and they know how to alert all relevant authorities of significant matters, in accordance with the home's statutory responsibilities. By sharing concerns promptly, the welfare and safety of young people is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Where young people absent themselves without authority, staff know how to implement the home's procedures to promote their safe return. In recent months, there have been no unauthorised absences or need for police involvement. Young people and staff both confirm that bullying is not an issue of current concern. Where bullying has occurred, records show that bullying is taken seriously. Prompt action is taken to protect victims of bullying and staff actively work to deter bullying behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained to manage difficult behaviours, to enable them to respond to challenging incidents safely. The use of permissible forms of control are reasonably undertaken in relation to the use of sanctions and restraints. Records show a decline in the need for physical intervention, with the behaviours of young people managed more effectively, through diffusion and de-escalation strategies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety systems are managed effectively overall. There are regular fire drills and routine testing of the home's fire detection systems, and the home's fire fighting equipment is contractually serviced once a year. At the time of this inspection, the home was having a full annual safety inspection, with gas and household electrical appliances all tested for safety reasons. The contractor identified a water leak, which could compromise environmental safety, if not repaired. An action has been made about this under economic well-being. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC394478 Staff personnel records were not inspected, as recruitment records were not accessible on this occasion.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people receive extensive support through the provision of key working. They receive regular support in line with their needs, and advice and encouragement on a wide range of issues. Young people are actively involved in the planning of their weekly routines, which enables them to participate and plan the types of activities that staff organise for them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Key worker sessions are regularly held and direct work is undertaken to explore young people's views and opinions, and to broaden their experiences. Encompassed within the work are Every Child Matters outcomes, including the promotion of equality and diversity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people resident are all working towards their independence. They receive educational-based activities as part of this process. Formal education remains problematic for a variety of influential reasons, which are beyond the home's control. This means some young people's educational opportunities are limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

None of the young people are currently attending any form of formal education. However, they are encouraged and involved with entry to employment, to enhance and promote their employment opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's needs are carefully assessed on their admission and their placement plans are written and implemented effectively by staff. Placement plans are thorough, informative and clear, and these provide staff with detailed information to meet young people's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's needs are reviewed and monitored, and both staff and young people contribute to the review process. This enables young people to influence decisions made about their care and future planning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people feel consulted and they believe their views are listened to and valued by staff. Key working and resident group meetings are held on a regular basis, which provide young people with sufficient opportunities to be consulted in a purposeful way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people spoken to were familiar with their individual arrangements for contact and they receive good support to maintain their family links and valued relationships. Staff are able to supervise contact, where restrictions apply.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people are provided with their own bedrooms, which they are free to personalise. The home has two lounge areas for young people to socialise, and dining facilities are suitable for young people and staff to share mealtimes together. One of the lounge areas is also used for contact, which enables young people to meet their visitors in private. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC394478 The location of the home benefits from having good access to community resources, such as libraries, leisure centres, shops and local places of worship. Young people can access community facilities and attend local places of interest to them.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

At the time of this visit, a water leak was identified. The part of the home affected is not accessible to, or used by, any young people. An action in respect of this issue has been raised to promote environmental safety.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people have pathway plans completed for them, which outline their individual needs for support. They are encouraged to participate in planned activities designed for them to develop and learn skills associated with independent living. Staff work closely with young people by providing support and encouragement with the development of new life skills.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people confirm they are taught how to prepare and cook their own meals. As part of planned daily living programmes, young people are encouraged to undertake household chores and engage in their planned personalised programmes for independence. This ensures that young people have the knowledge and skills to make the transition towards adulthood successfully.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home's Statement of Purpose contains information about the home for placing authorities, young people and their families. Young people are provided with information about the home in the form of a guide, so that they know what to expect from the home and the services provided for them.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young people are respected as individuals and all receive fair and equal treatment within the home. The composition of the staff team is culturally diverse, with staff employed from different backgrounds, genders and ethnicities. Staff have all completed training on equality and diversity to enhance their understanding of diversity issues.

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Organisation

The competency of the staff team is sufficient to meet the needs and numbers of those resident. Young people receive continuity of care to enable them to develop positive, trusting relationships with the same staff. Most staff have a background in social care and the achievement rate of staff trained to National Vocational Qualification standards is satisfactory. A good proportion of staff are already qualified. Those not trained to the required standard are enrolled to obtain the award. All staff have completed mandatory training to enable them to undertake their duties effectively.

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Organisation

The performance of the home is regularly reviewed and monitored. Independent monitoring visits occur within the recommended timescales. Reports are prepared in relation to the home's conduct, which enables the manager to check the home's administrative systems and rectify identified shortfalls. The manager produces an action plan for improvement, following every visit made.

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Organisation

Young people's case records are well maintained, providing them with good information and a history of their time spent within the home. All young people have daily journals to record their daily activities. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC394478

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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 April 2010 maintain the premises to a good standard of structural repair; in particular by repairing the water leak in the cellar. (Regulation 31.2 d)

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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 all young people are provided with an individual health record (NMS 12.1) • ensure all complaints are recorded within the complaints log. (NMS 16.3) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC394478

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