Children's Home run by Eagle Children’s Home in Wolverhampton

SC356565 Unique reference number 11 December 2009 Inspection date Jackie Callaghan 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: SC356565

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Brief description of the service

The primary aim of the home is to provide an environment that enables all children and young people within their care to feel valued, secure and respected.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a semi-detached house in a quiet multicultural residential setting. The home is registered as a two-bedded unit, to be used as a facility for children and young people of either gender aged 10 to 17 years old at the time of admission. It provides, two single occupancy children and or young people's bedrooms and is situated within easy access of local bus routes and other local transportation. There are local amenities nearby, such as shops, supermarkets, leisure centre and parks.

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Brief description of the service

There is one young person currently living at the home who spoke with the inspector.

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Summary

This was an unannounced random inspection that concentrated on the outcome judgement of staying safe. Several additional standards were looked at in economic wellbeing and organisation. This continues to be a satisfactory service.

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Summary

There are two areas where there are minor shortfalls. Staffs' suitability is not robustly checked before they start employment and staff require training in physical intervention. As a result, two recommendations have been raised in order to improve practice further. 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

At their last inspection the registered manager was asked to; ensure room searches of young people's bedrooms are documented, ensure that the records of restraints and sanctions logs are numbered and ensure that all pocket money deductions are fully recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There have been no searches of young people's bedrooms since the last inspection. However, the home does have a form which will enable them to evidence that they are conducting searches in-line with national minimum standards. The restraints log and sanctions log are now both numbered and this will prevent any pages being torn out and/or going missing.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All pocket money deductions are fully recorded to clearly show the reasons why money is being used and now meets national minimum standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young peoples' privacy is respected and staff understand how to keep information confidential and safe. Young people feel safe in the home. They are able to raise any concerns they have about their care or the running of the service and staff listen to what they have to say. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC356565 Young people's protection is further promoted by a range of polices, procedures and training that relate to keeping young people safe. These arrangements help guide staff practice in important areas such as child protection, behaviour management, health and safety and unauthorised absences. Staff maintain appropriate records of sanctions and only a small number of physical interventions have been used since the last inspection. However, staff have yet to undertake training in the use of physical restraint. It is important that staff use the same techniques when there is the need for them to have to physically intervene. This will help ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young peoples' protection is further supported by good health and safety routines. Regular inspections are made of the home's environment. Utilities and equipment are checked and serviced within required timescales and fire prevention routines and tests are carried out frequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are still some minor weaknesses within the home's recruitment process. One file only contains one reference and not two as identified in schedule 2 of the national minimum standards. Nor does the file evidence that the applicant’s identity or references have been verified. This has the potential to compromise young peoples' safety. The files does, however, contain evidence that a criminal records bureau check has being carried out prior to employment.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home's location, design and size are in keeping with its purpose and function. Local transport and leisure facilities are close by, which gives young people good access to the wider community. The home offers good individual care that affords young people with appropriate privacy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The registered provider and registered manager meet on regular occasions with the local community at neighbourhood meetings. The last meeting taking place in September where no major issues or concerns about the function of the home being raised. The next meeting is scheduled for February 2010. This ensures that the home is meeting standards and continues to try and work with their local community.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home has clear deputising arrangements in the absence of the manager and there is a formal on-call system to ensure additional support is available from experienced staff if needed. The staff rota is planned in advance and ensures that there is an appropriate number of staff on duty to meet the needs of young people. There are clear arrangements to cover staff absences.

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Organisation

The company encourages and supports staff to attain National Vocational Qualifications and good progress has been made with existing staff has they have either achieved Level 3 or are 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC356565 currently completing the course. New staff that have just started are undertaking an induction programme. This ensures that they are well supported to be confident in their roles. Staff are well motivated and attend training to achieve and maintain competency in their care practice. The company has recently reviewed the training programme and changed providers as a result to ensure training opportunities continue to be available for staff.

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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): • ensure that all staff receive training in physical intervention (22.8) • verify in recruitment records for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in schedule 2 (NMS 27.1). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC356565

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