Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

SC068046 Unique reference number 9 June 2009 Inspection date Roy Bega Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

13 January 2009 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC068046

p.3

Brief description of the service

A private organisation owns and operates this children's home. It is located on the outskirts of the New Forest within close proximity of community services. The organisation also has similar services located in the area.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The setting supports and cares for a maximum of one young person of either sex between the ages of 14 and 18 years who has complex emotional behavioural and educational difficulties. The unit specialises in the care of more vulnerable individuals who may pose a specific risk to the community and/or themselves.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Through various approaches the home seeks to enable young people in recognising and accepting responsibility of their inappropriate behaviours. It then encourages the development of more socially acceptable sustainable behaviours to improve young people's quality of life towards independence.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The organisation has a team of specialist practitioners who provide professional support and guidance for care staff and young people.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The organisation provides an approved behavioural approach to education known as the 'Award Scheme for Development and Accreditation Network' which follows the National Curriculum and encompasses a behavioural approach. Designated facilities are provided and appropriately trained staff are employed to deliver the scheme.

p.4

Summary

This is an unannounced full inspection where all key standards are inspected.

p.4

Summary

The home is well managed and has an experienced and committed staff group who have a positive outlook towards training. They are provided with regular opportunities for training in areas to meet specific needs of young people.

p.4

Summary

Young people are actively encouraged in taking an interest in their personal health and healthy ways of living. The home provides appropriate age related information regarding health, safety and social issues.

p.4

Summary

There is an open culture in the home of listening to young people. Young people benefit from the organisation's safeguarding policy and procedures. The organisation provides excellent procedural guidance for staff and information for young people regarding anti-bullying.

p.4

Summary

Specialist staff are employed by the organisation to support the home in meeting young people's needs. There are also excellent working relationships with external specialist agencies.

p.4

Summary

Staff are highly motivated and resourceful in supporting young people in preparation for transition or leaving care which includes securing appropriate accommodation, further education and/or employment. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046 Young people are encouraged by management and staff to maintain contact with family and significant others where appropriate and actively supported to rebuild relationships where they have become estranged. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations raised from the previous inspection.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The home ensures young people's individual dietary needs are met. Staff place much importance on ensuring young people have a choice of nutritious meals to lead healthy lifestyles. Young people are actively involved in planning, preparing and shopping for food as part of their transitional or leaving care plan. Staff receive training in food hygiene and have a good understanding of the appropriate way to store, cook and handle food.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Detailed health records are in place. Staff have excellent knowledge in respect of young people's health needs. Staff provide excellent support and guidance for young people requiring medical treatments. Young people benefit from interventions and support provided by external and the organisation's specialist therapeutic staff. Well informed care staff are appropriately supported in continuing the therapeutic work on a daily basis.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people are actively encouraged in taking an interest in their personal health and healthy ways of living. The home provides appropriate age related information regarding health, safety and social issues. Discussions and documented evidence shows young people are fully consulted regarding health matters.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home has an effective medication policy, procedure and practice guidance which includes the use of non-prescribed medication. Staff are given copies of this policy to read and sign.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

An appropriate written record is kept by the home of all medication, treatment and first aid given to young people. Prior to admission written permission is obtained from the person with parental responsibility for each young person for the administration of first aid and appropriate non-prescribed medication.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Where appropriate young people are fully encouraged to manage their own medication in accordance with the organisations comprehensive policy and procedures.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff respect young peoples wish for privacy and confidentiality as is consistent with good parenting. Staff have a very high regard for the privacy of the young people and ensure information is confidentially handled. Young people confirm staff respect their space and only discuss personal matters in private.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear complaints procedure which is included in the welcome pack for young people. Young people know how to and feel able to complain if they are unhappy with any aspect of 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046 living in the home. Any complaint is addressed seriously and without delay. Complaints are fully responded to within a maximum of twenty eight days. Records and discussions show one complaint has been raised since the last visit. Ofsted have not received any complaints in respect of the home.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's welfare is promoted by the home's stringent safeguarding policy, procedures and practices. Staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of the procedures and receive specific annual training. Young people confirm they get along with staff, feel safe and are treated fairly.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Management and staff create an atmosphere where bullying is known to be unacceptable. There is a policy on countering bullying, which is known to all and is effective in practice. Staff are vigilant about maintaining professional relationships between themselves and young people.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual plans are put in place in the event of young people becoming absent without authority. Incidents since the last visit are minimal with reported maximum time of absences being 55 minutes. Discussions and records show appropriate action was taken on all occasions. Incident logs are well documented and monitored by management as required.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting specialises in providing residential care for young people who have severe psychological, emotional and related behaviour disorders. Specialist staff are employed by the organisation to support the home in meeting the needs of the young people. There are also excellent working relationships with external specialist agencies. Staff receive training in the use of acceptable de-escalation and restraint methods.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It is the home's policy to reward good behaviour. Staff assist young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. This was seen to put in practice during the visit. Behaviour management plans agreed with young people and placing authorities are in situ. Weekly one to one sessions with key workers provide ongoing opportunities to discuss behaviour related issues. Young people are also encouraged to converse with staff informally during planned activities and free time.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The personal development of young people since the previous visit in the area of socially acceptable behaviour is outstanding. The incidents requiring the use of acceptable de-escalation and restraint methods is now minimal. Young people have achieved big steps towards self-control. Incident logs are well documented and monitored by management as required. The home and organisation are to be commended on the support provided.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records and discussions show external factors beyond the organisation's control are contributing to recent incidents of socially unacceptable behaviour from young people. Staff are maintaining a professional approach in providing appropriate positive intervention during this difficult period. Management acknowledge staff will benefit from additional personal support when subject to personal distress and/or injury.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place for all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds including young people’s activities. A similar process is followed for activities outside of the home, for example holidays, or trips out. There is a high awareness of fire safety among staff and young people. All staff and young people are given fire safety instructions when they arrive. Fire drills are carried out within the required timescales and at different times of the day (and night). Fire safety equipment is checked regularly and a detailed record kept. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046 Young people are safeguarded by the organisation's robust and stringent recruitment procedures. Good quality internal monitoring and audits of recruitment files are undertaken to ensure that all appropriate checks within Schedule 2 children’s homes national minimum standards and regulations are sought prior to staff commencing employment.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people benefit from individualised support in line with their culture, ethnic and religious needs. Placement plans explicitly identify how support is to be provided and which person/s and or agency/agencies are responsible.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has well established, professional links with a range of supporting agencies. Staff are highly motivated, resourceful and proactive in earnestly securing the appropriate services for young people’s needs. Young people confirm staff are very approachable, listen to them, and are understanding and supportive.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The organisation provides an approved behavioural approach to education known as, 'Award Scheme for Development and Accreditation Network'. Designated facilities are provided and appropriately trained staff are employed to deliver the scheme.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Management and staff are positive in their approach to education and its value for young people. They ensure education is an integral part of life at the home and not just limited to school or college. Education continues outside of the formal classroom in areas of interest to the young people, for example, life skills and self-confidence.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are encouraged by staff to participate in chosen leisure activities both within the home and community. Staff also promote the introduction of activities for individuals aimed at providing new opportunities, skills, hobbies and interests.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The setting provides a stable homely environment for young people who live there. Discussions and records confirm management and staff are very approachable, listen to what young people have to say and act responsively.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation with young people is excellent. Management and staff actively encourage young people to participate in the care planning process and reviews, including leaving care programmes. Discussions and records confirm young people are consulted on a personal level about all aspects of their lives.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged by management and staff to maintain contact with family and significant others where appropriate. Management and staff also actively support young people to rebuild relationships where they have become estranged.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships between staff and young people are based on mutual respect, understanding and clear professional and personal boundaries.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046 Preparation for leaving care or transitions and acquiring the skills for adulthood is a fully integrated part of the support provided in the home. Young people routinely learn skills through taking part in the tasks of running the home, such as open participation in house meetings, menu planning, domestic duties, budgeting and management of their personal bank accounts.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home identifies with full participation of the young person and significant others, areas of skills and support that need developing as part of the leaving care or transitional plan. Staff receive training in helping young people move towards independence and have close, established links with other relevant agencies. The organisation works closely with other agencies in securing appropriate post 18 support and transitional accommodation.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

The standard of the young people’s clothing is very high enabling them to feel proud of their appearance among their friends and peer group. Young people are fully involved in planning the spending of the budget allocated to their personal clothing and toiletries. They are enabled to exercise choice in the clothes and personal requisites through normal shopping arrangements. Records of personal allowances paid to the young people are maintained to a high standard, but avoid an institutional approach.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment. Young people show pride in their bedrooms by personalising them with possessions and posters.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

There is a good maintenance and repair programme for the building. The organisation employs a maintenance team to ensure faults are rectified as soon as possible.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The home's annually reviewed statement of purpose is very clear in setting out the aims and objectives and how they are to be provided. It is presented in a form that is easily understood by young people and their families. Young people are provided with a copy before they move into the home.

p.8

Organisation

Effective, established systems for the running of the home are in place and avoid an institutional approach. The leadership of the home is clear and open. Young people confirm management are very approachable and always ready to listen and talk with them. Management receive professional support and training to carry out their responsibilities.

p.8

Organisation

There are clear lines of accountability. Staff are well supported and receive required one to one supervision which is recorded. An integral part of their supervision is an agreed personal development plan for which they receive guidance from management to achieve.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation provides a thorough induction training programme for new staff. Staff are supported and encouraged in a continuum training programme. Post their probation period staff are placed on the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3 in the 'Caring for Children and Young People'.

p.8

Organisation

The staff team is a very competent, with a large amount and range of experience among its members. Skills within the team are very well matched to the group of young people accommodated. It is the organisation's philosophy to develop staff careers by encouraging 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046 them to pursue the NVQ at level 4 and other associated professional training. The organisation also employs specialist professionals to work alongside care staff and young people.

p.8

Organisation

Management ensure the needs and activities of young people are met by maintaining a sufficient number and gender mix of staff on duty at all times as agreed by the looked after plan.

p.9

Organisation

Monthly monitoring visits by senior management are fully integrated into the quality assurance system of the home. Any action points are clearly identified and followed up by the provider and/or manager.

p.9

Organisation

Young people's individual case files are stored in a secure cabinet and are arranged in a manner that makes them readily useable by staff and accessible to young people.

p.9

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity in the home is good. Management and staff create an atmosphere and ethos where meeting individual needs is paramount.

p.9

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.

p.9

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide staff with additional support when subject to personal distress and/or injury subsequent to incidents of unacceptable social behaviour from young people. (National Minimum Standard 22. Regulation 17) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC068046

p.9