Children's Home run by Capstone Care Provider Limited in Nottinghamshire

SC392712 Unique reference number 19 January 2010 Inspection date Dawn Taylor 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: SC392712

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated on a main road close to the city centre. It provides care for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties aged between 15 and 18. Accommodation is arranged on three floors. There are three self-contained flats each containing a bed-sitting room, kitchenette and toilet and washing facilities. Office facilities, a communal sitting room and kitchen are situated on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The home specifically provides for the needs of young people leaving care by providing support and training in order to help them develop independent living skills.

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Summary

This inspection was an announced key inspection visit. The outcome groups relating to being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were assessed.

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Summary

In line with Ofsted guidance for the inspection of a newly registered children's home the outcome for the overall quality rating is satisfactory. The staff team are providing a professional service that provides semi-independent living in a supported environment. Young people are being well supported to gradually develop sufficient practical independent living skills and emotional maturity to move on to a more independent setting. 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

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are well supported to lead healthy lives. Staff help educate young people about the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Young people are encouraged to establish good habits. Young people's health needs are assessed and identified in individual healthcare plans. Staff are knowledgeable about individual needs and use every opportunity to engage young people in discussions about health and social issues. As part of the home's overall aims, staff encourage young people to take responsibility for their own health and young people over16 years old may self medicate if a current risk assessment does not outline any concerns over the misuse of medications. The home can access outside health agencies for independently sought advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home's domestic routines and activities are organised in a way that supports coaching and mentoring opportunities in many areas such as budgeting and cooking. Staff approach daily tasks and routines with the aim of developing young people's awareness and knowledge about what it means to live independently. Young people are benefiting from living in a home that is focused on achieving the best possible arrangements and outcomes for independent living. Young people stated that staff are very approachable and supportive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC392712 Young people's safety is protected by staff who strive to promote and assist young people through positive partnership to understand the safeguards that help protect their welfare. Staff are provided with written procedures and training related to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The safety of young people is given a priority by staff who demonstrate a good understanding of the need to promote independence while managing risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff ensure that there is an effective mechanism in place for handling complaints. Young people are encouraged to voice their concerns if they are unhappy about any aspect or experience at the home. Records show that staff are professional with their judgement and look to resolve complaints promptly and without delay. There is a clear process to ensure that the complainant is satisfied with the investigation and action taken by the Registered Manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not identified as a problem at the home. Staff are committed to ensuring that bullying in all its forms will be addressed. Bullying is totally unacceptable and is challenged on an individual and group basis when encountered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff reinforce positive behaviour and this supports young people to develop self-esteem, self-belief and independent skills. Young people are encouraged and supported to behave in ways that will sustain them in the community once they have achieved independence. Staff are focused on providing behavioural boundaries that are fair and easily understood by young people. Rewards and privileges are available when young people are successful at completing tasks, routines and targets.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who are absent from the home without permission are reported correctly to the external agencies. Staff do their best to locate young people. Staff maintain open communication with the local police and clear records are maintained of all action taken to locate and find young people. Staff ensure that safe and well checks take place when young people return to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are living in a safely managed home where health and safety records and service certificates are up to date. Fire safety tests are undertaken within the appropriate timescales; a fire risk assessment has been completed and staff have received fire safety training. The manager reviews risk assessments on a regular basis or when new risks are identified, to ensure young people are being protected from hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by robust recruitment procedures. Safety checks are completed and staff only commence employment when they have a satisfactory criminal records bureau disclosure and satisfactory references.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Staff work hard to build positive relationships with young people and provide individual tailored support as they approach the age to leave care. The service works in partnership with the young people, their families, social workers and other agencies in order to offer a structured and co-ordinated plan of care. They recognize that each young person is a unique individual and has their own specific needs. On admission each young person is allocated a key worker with whom they plan their independence training, for example, support with cooking, shopping and budgeting. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC392712 Staff are positive in their approach to education and its value for young people. Each young person’s learning, training and development arrangements are different because the home accommodates some young people who have left school. Those young people are being supported and encouraged to access further education or work. Where young people are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

struggling to sustain attendance and engagement with their education programme, staff work with teachers to try and improve the situation. Where young people have been excluded from school, the school will be requested to provide work, which the key worker will support, and liaise with the school regarding meetings prior to reinstatement. Any arrangements for education will be made in partnership with carers, the education department, schools and the young person.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's needs are assessed effectively. All young people have an individual care plan as well as a pathway plan, which detail the needs and programme to be followed for each young person. The key worker and the manager devise a residential action plan, which details how the young person is looked after by the home. Young people are able to contribute to this, through key working sessions and internal review meetings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's progress is being monitored and reviewed. Statutory review meetings are taking place. Young people are encouraged to attend where possible. Detailed reports are produced by the home to outline the progress and developments made since the last meeting. Young people's placing social workers are well informed about how the placement is meeting individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's contact arrangements are agreed and recorded so that all staff are clear about the circumstances where contact can take place. Staff work consistently with the placing authority and clearly adhere to all the arrangements. Staff recognise the importance that positive constructive contact has to play with young people's sense of well-being and the longer terms benefits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has in place formal and informal mechanisms to consult with young people. Young people are consulted about areas that are important to them. Formal house meetings take place and also key workers meetings are regular to ensure that they seek and take account of the feelings and wishes of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to move into the home in a planned and sensitive manner that makes the young person and their carers feel comfortable and welcome. The young person and carers have the opportunity to look at the accommodation, especially the individual's identified flat, which will have been made ready prior to the arrival of the young person.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are provided with good practical training to ensure that they have the help that they need to move on into independent living. This includes life skills training and support. Young people have opportunities to put into practice their skills for budgeting, paying bills, cooking and managing their laundry. The residential action plans in place contribute effectively 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC392712 to the placing authority's pathway plan. Young people placed at the home complete a planned independence programme within the duration of the placement.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people's accommodation is maintained to a satisfactory standard. Each young person has their own bed-sit, which has its own TV point, bath or shower room, toilet and kitchen area. Young people are able to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their individuality in terms of their choice and taste. Downstairs there is a welcoming communal sitting room and kitchen.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home is well managed and this is having a positive impact on the outcomes for young people. The home has an up-to-date Statement of Purpose and children's guide. Staff are aware of the principles and aims of the home and are positive and enthusiastic about their work.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Evidence supports a consistent commitment to improving equality and diversity in practice. The quality and detail of young people’s plans also supports this commitment.

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Organisation

Young people benefit from a stable staff group that are sufficient in numbers to meet their individual needs. The Registered Manager manages the home effectively and efficiently. Clear arrangements are in place to manage staff absences from an existing pool of relief staff that are already known to the young people.

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Organisation

Good emphasis is given to staff training and development, which is focused on areas relating to young people's needs. Four staff have completed the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3, or higher, in child care, while three staff are working towards NVQ at level 3. The staff rotas are flexible to meet the changing needs and circumstances of young people. There are clear and accountable systems in place for staff to deputise in the absence of the manager.

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Organisation

The home has a monthly visit to check the quality of the care being provided and assess and evaluate young people's experiences of living at the home. Records show that monitoring of records and discussions with young people are taking place. Where there are shortfalls, the Registered Manager has taken corrective action.

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Organisation

The young people’s files and records are well maintained and structured to provide easy access to information. Each young person’s file contains the necessary information as detailed in schedule 3 of the children’s homes regulations.

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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

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC392712

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