Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

SC370899 Unique reference number 21 January 2010 Inspection date Jane Rushby 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: SC370899

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Brief description of the service

This children's home, owned by a private company, is registered for up to three males aged between 11 and 17 years and is located in a rural setting. It is a large detached house, providing spacious and comfortable communal facilities and three single bedrooms. There are attractive and private gardens to the front and rear of the property. Young people can access nearby towns by public transport and transport provided by the home. Young people also access leisure and community facilities within these areas.

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Summary

At this unannounced interim inspection, all key standards in staying safe were inspected and recommendations from the previous key inspection in July 2009 were followed up. All outcomes were judged as good at the previous visit. This is a good service. Young people are supported to make positive changes to their behaviour and respond maturely to challenges. Staff are experienced and skilled in promoting the welfare of the young people they are looking after and young people feel safe living in the home. There are no actions or recommendations arising from this inspection. Three young people currently live at the home; one was present and participated in the inspection. 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

There were five recommendations arising from the previous visit. These have been addressed under the relevant Every Child Matters outcomes below and have all been carried out in full.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Following the previous visit the registered person was asked to ensure the first aid box is restocked promptly when items have been identified as missing. A process for weekly checking of items has been put in place and the first aid box is fully stocked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy is respected and information is confidentially handled. Young people's records are securely stored in the office and staff receive training relating to privacy and confidentiality as part of their induction. A young person said, 'we get as much private time as we like.' Where a room search is necessary this is carried out according to company policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from an effective process for recording and investigating complaints. There have been no formal complaints at the home since the previous visit. Young people are able to raise concerns with staff and feel they will be listened to. A young person said, 'staff here are really nice, they genuinely care, we're like an extended family.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from good safeguarding and behaviour management strategies, which are tailored to the developmental needs of those living at the home. Staff work with the young 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC370899 people to promote a mature response to challenges and support them to resolve conflicts themselves where this is appropriate. Young people raised no concerns about bullying behaviour and feel that staff understand well how they relate to each other. A young person said, 'I feel safe here, it's my home.' New staff are trained in safeguarding procedures during induction and staff are experienced in responding effectively to allegations or disclosures of abuse. Young people who are at risk of going missing without permission are protected by clear protocols; however, such behaviour at this home is rare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from consistent boundaries and expectations and feel they are treated fairly. Staff are experienced at responding appropriately to challenging behaviours and use sanctions which are appropriately recorded. A recommendation arising from the previous visit to encourage young people to write or record their comments in the sanctions and physical restraint records has been fully carried out. Young people have reflected on their behaviour and responded maturely to sanctions used. Physical interventions are not used at this home. Staff are skilled in diverting young people towards appropriate behaviour and responses. Records and logs contained all required information and cross reference accurately with other documentation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by effective health and safety procedures which are monitored regularly through the regulation 34 process. Young people are familiar with evacuation procedures. A robust risk assessment process is in place for individual young people and specific activities and these assessments are monitored regularly by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective procedures in place to ensure that staff are thoroughly checked. Visitors to the home are vetted to ensure the safety of young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. A recommendation was made at the previous visit that the registered person ensures that any restrictions on a young person's ability to personalise their bedroom are supported by written policies, procedures and information in the welcome pack, and documented in their placement plan. This recommendation has been carried out and the welcome pack has been amended to include these restrictions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The manager of the home is providing sound leadership and has thorough knowledge of issues pertinent to young people and the running of the home. At the previous visit the registered person was asked to ensure that the records were signed on a monthly basis. This has been carried out in full. The registered person was also asked to devise a written development plan for the home. The Registered Manager has drawn up a plan which clearly identifies the aims 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC370899 and objectives for the home, states who is to carry out required actions, and addresses timescales and resource implications.

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC370899

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