Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

SC359832 Unique reference number 30 July 2009 Inspection date Liz Driver Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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25 November 2008 Date of last 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 9 Inspection Report: SC359832

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Brief description of the service

This setting is registered to accommodate three young people from 10 years to under 18 years with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The setting is a large, family sized building. It is owned by a private organisation. The house has on the ground floor a large kitchen/dining room, lounge, education room, toilet and staff office. On the first floor there are three young people's bedrooms and two staff sleeping-in rooms, a bathroom with toilet and a separate staff shower/toilet. There are extensive gardens surrounding the setting.

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Summary

This key inspection was unannounced taking place on a weekday. There were no actions or recommendations resulting from the last inspection to follow up, and none made at this inspection. All key national minimum standards were assessed during this inspection.

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Summary

Young people live in a home that is fully committed to ensuring they receive the best possible care.

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Summary

Robust policies and procedures support the day to day practice that is of a high standard. The registered manager is clearly effective and fully supported by the staff team. Staff development is an area that the manager excels in. Staff training is organised and very well structured. Young people receive outstanding care across all the outcomes of Every Child Matters. Health care needs are robustly identified and met. Clear boundaries are in place for behaviour management that young people respect. Young people feel safe at the setting and fully protected by staff. Each young person's voice is important and numerous avenues exist to enable them to voice their opinions. The setting is very well maintained and respected by the young people. The management of the home continues to be proactive, consistent and positive. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No recommendations or actions were made at the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent dietary provision. Staff consult with young people about their food preferences and encourage them to take an active part in shopping, preparation and cooking meals. This also forms part of their independence and life skills packages. Young people confirm staff are supportive in these areas. Menus are varied, healthy and reflect the young people's wishes and choices. Staff are trained in food hygiene and have a very good awareness of what each young person's dietary needs are. Comprehensive care plans identify dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Individual health care plans are in place for staff to work with and identify, in depth, all health needs. Plans are of a very high standard and are subject to review by key workers, the manager and the Regulation 33 visitor. Involvement of specialist health related professionals is gained, and supported by multi-professional meetings and reviews. Staff receive training around health 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832 issues, for example, first aid in response to self harming. Staff demonstrate a sensitive and confident approach to individual health issues young people have. Risk assessments are comprehensive with young people actively encouraged in the drawing up of some risk assessments. Young people have a good insight into their health needs and feel free to discuss any concerns with staff. Records are very well maintained with comprehensive recording. Monitoring of records is very good, both internally by the manager and externally by the senior

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people benefit from the home having comprehensive policies and procedures in place for the administration of medication. Consents for the administration of medication and first aid provide protection for young people. There is a system whereby young people are assessed as to their competency and risk of administering and keeping their own medication. Monitoring systems are of a very high standard. Staff receive training in medication administration to enhance their competency. All medicines are kept safely and securely. Current practice of storage, recording and stock control is of a very high standard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff show a high regard to privacy and maintaining levels of confidentiality. Files are stored securely in locked cabinets. The home has a clear policy on young people's rights to access their records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from having access to a robust complaints procedure. The right of a young person to complain about their care in the home is made clear to them on admission. The young person's handbook gives clear guidance about who they can complain to and their contact details. Young people confirm they feel comfortable in voicing their opinions or issues, and are able to voice these concerns at house meetings, key worker sessions or a more formal route, the complaints procedure. Staff receive training in complaints and whistleblowing during the induction process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home works very closely with other agencies relating to child protection and safeguarding issues. All records are of a high standard and very well maintained. The home's child protection policy is up to date and records show that staff are very well informed of their responsibilities to protect young people. Training is provided to staff. The practice in the setting is underpinned by the senior members of staff in the organisation providing support to the managers and staff team. The registered manager and service managers have a wealth of experience in child protection and safeguarding. The commitment, communication and awareness shown by the manager and organisation in protecting and safeguarding young people continues to be excellent. Young people say they feel safe at the home and staff protect them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is taken seriously, with behaviour management plans in place that provide clear guidance for staff. Individual triggers are noted and staff work well to lessen the risk of bullying, with very good results. The response and approach to bullying is made clear to young people on admission and during key worker sessions and house meetings. Staff are very aware of group dynamics in the home and manage young people's interactions very well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has written information for staff to follow if a young person goes missing or leaves the home without permission. There is clear guidance as to whether it is an authorised or unauthorised absconding. Close communication with the local police and consistency of staff 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832 practice enable the whereabouts of young people to be identified. Incidents of absconding are rigorously monitored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has a behaviour management plan in place. This outlines what support they need in achieving positive behaviour, what may distress them and what agreed reward and sanctions are in place. Records of sanctions and physical interventions are recorded to a high standard. The manager closely monitors practice and records relating to sanctions and physical interventions. Young people have the opportunity to comment following a restraint taking place which is recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff practice in dealing with challenging behaviour is of a high standard. Staff base their behaviour management on active encouragement and acceptable behaviour. Young people confirm that standards of acceptable behaviour are clearly known to them. Staff work hard to gain positive relationships with young people and provide a warm and caring environment where they feel at ease to express themselves with the knowledge that staff are supportive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has updated risk assessments for all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds including fire and activities. The home has up to date checks carried out on the electrics and fire safety systems. There are regular fire drills carried out. Internal checks are carried out on a weekly basis by members of staff to check the fire alarms, smoke detectors, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers. All young people and staff are given fire safety instruction with fire drills carried out at very regular intervals. All records relating to checks are of a high standard. The home has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place. The home has an environmental policy that both staff and young people are informed of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation has a thorough recruitment process that ensures all necessary checks are completed prior to a member of staff starting work. Young people are actively involved in the recruitment process and are encouraged to give feedback to the recruitment panel carrying out the formal interviews, after they have met the potential member of staff. The vetting of visitors is robust with records kept.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Extremely comprehensive care plans for young people address how support will be provided. The emphasis is on the individual needs of each young person. Each young person has a key worker who meets with them on a regular basis to discuss their care plan, weekly plans and overall behaviour and progress. High standard weekly reports are forwarded onto the organisation's head office and placing social workers. The home has excellent links with a wide range of agencies that fit with the needs of the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is clearly valued by the home and young people are given high levels of support to maintain their placements at educational establishments. Attendance levels are very good with staff working hard to ensure all young people have access to appropriate educational establishments that will meet their needs. Daily school or college attendance is an established part of daily life at the home. The setting is registered as a school with Ofsted and has a designated teacher who is managed by a competent and experienced head teacher who oversees the education of all young people placed in the organisation's registered homes. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832 Young people have Personal Education Plans (PEP). These are up to date and include strategies and plans to help young people develop their education and life skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people have their needs assessed effectively and comprehensively. No young person is admitted to the home unless the home is confident it can meet the young person's needs. Each young person has an extremely detailed and comprehensive care plan in place, which covers short and long term plans. These plans are reviewed regularly, some being brought forward if necessary. All looked after children's paperwork is kept on file. Young people are encouraged to take part in their reviews and do so pro-actively. Young people are encouraged to complete a questionnaire prior to a review and if they do not want to participate in their review are happy for their key worker to voice their opinions and wishes. Weekly reports written by key workers ensure progress is monitored and that any issues can be shared with the team, social workers, families if appropriate or external professionals. Young people have an active part in drawing

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Helping children make a positive contribution

up their care plans and in attending their reviews. The setting maintains good relationships with placing authorities and chase up reviews if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements for each young person are clearly outlined in each young person's care plan. Staff are very supportive of young people in facilitating visits. Strategies are put in place in order to ensure young people receive high levels of support during and after contacts. Any restrictions on contact are also known and recorded. Written records are maintained of any contacts. All recording is of a high standard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have numerous opportunities to discuss the running of the home and how they are being cared for. It is clear that young people's views and opinions are valued. Young people's meetings take place regularly where they can discuss areas, such as menu planning, activities, changes in the home and any other areas they bring to the meeting. Key worker sessions are held regularly and provide the opportunity for young people to express their views and wishes. The manager is highly visible and approachable and senior management visit regularly where they seek the views of the young people who happily voice their opinions. The young people are confident in expressing their views and this is encouraged by the staff team. Advocates are pro-actively sought for young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships between staff and young people are warm and respectful. Young people are happy at the home and complimentary about the staff. Staff are clear of the boundaries and behavioural expectations and provide support so young people are aware of these expectations. Staff are professional and competent in carrying out their roles, and always put the needs of the young people first. They are sensitive and supportive even during challenging times.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people are fully supported in helping them prepare for adult life. Staff work closely with all professionals to ensure young people gain the skills necessary for adult life and facilitate smooth transitions into semi or independent living accommodation. The opportunities provided for young people to buy their own clothing and toiletries give them the experience in expressing their individual preferences and develop skills such as budgeting that will be essential throughout 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832 their lives. Young people are able to spend their monies freely unless they have been found spending it inappropriately. Records of monies for each young person are very well maintained.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people benefit from living in a house that is large with extensive gardens. The house is homely and very well maintained and young people are respectful of their surroundings. Furnishings and fittings are of a high quality. Young people are able to have a say in the choice of furnishings and fittings and are able to personalise their own bedrooms. Toilets and bathrooms are of a high standard and sufficient in number.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. The setting works hard to ensure all young people have equal access to education and the care needs they are assessed as requiring. Provision of appropriate individual activities, special interests, access to culturally acceptable food plus social occasions around cultural needs are all encouraged. Support to young people around special needs regarding skin and hair products and a specialist hair stylist have also been arranged.

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Organisation

The home has a Statement of Purpose and Children's Guide that gives a comprehensive description of what the home can offer and achieve. It was last updated in June 2009. The children's guide is of a particularly high standard giving a wealth of information to young people. The guide makes it clear what rights and responsibilities the young people have and what they can expect from the home. It includes useful telephone numbers of external agencies whom the young people can approach for advice or to complain to.

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Organisation

There are clear lines of accountability within the organisation. The registered manager is an experienced and extremely effective leader. She is supported by a strong senior management team, including the directors of the organisation. The manager has a wealth of experience in working with young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and provides a stable and calming influence in the home. She is extremely supportive of her staff and has a proven record for encouraging staff development. Both staff and young people are complimentary about her abilities as a manager and of the support she provides. The staff team has seen some changes since the last inspection, mainly through staff development, and currently is of a good mix of gender, age and experience. Staffing levels are maintained on a basis of one to one, or two to one if agreed by the placing authority, giving the young people enough adults available

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Organisation

to access high levels of support. Young people are well informed of which staff are on duty. There is a clear process for cover when the manager is absent from the home. The on-call system enables staff to access support and advice from senior managers within the organisation. There is a very thorough organisational training programme on offer to all staff. Expectations are high for staff to access appropriate training and a closely monitored system ensures all staff are up to date with training. New staff commence an induction programme followed by enrolment on a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) course in child care. The policy and development manager is planning to create an NVQ registered centre with City and Guilds located at the organisation's head office. Staff receive regular supervision that is of a high standard. Staff meetings are held regularly, with the manager attending weekly meetings with

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Organisation

other managers in the organisation. The organisation was awarded an Investors In People (IIP) award in 2005, with a positive review in April 2008. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832 Monitoring of the home and its practices is of a high standard. The registered manager closely monitors records and practices on weekly basis. She is supported by a senior manager in the organisation who visits regularly to offer support and guidance. The Regulation 33 visitor provides excellent reports following her visits with actions and recommendations for the manager to address. These visits include consultation with the young people living in the home and feedback from placing social workers and families of the young people. The quality of these reports is excellent. There is an annual development plan for the home that covers areas from décor to finances to activities. This plan is updated yearly.

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Organisation

The young people's case files are very well organised, regularly reviewed and updated. They are subject to thorough checks by key workers, the manager, and senior managers within the organisation. Individual case files are stored securely and safely and arranged in a manner that makes them readily useable by staff. All records are maintained to an extremely high standard.

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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. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC359832

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