Children's Home run by London Borough of Hounslow in Hounslow

SC062128 Unique reference number 7 August 2009 Inspection date Jackie Graves Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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7 January 2009 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 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to six young people aged between 12 and 17 for an assessment period of between three and six months. The home is owned and operated by a local authority. The home is located in a residential area near to local amenities and transport links.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor there is a main lounge area and smaller lounge that is mainly used for visitors. The main office is located on the ground floor along with an education room that is equipped with desks and computers. The kitchen and dining room are also on the ground floor and there is a paved rear garden where young people can take part in outdoor activities.

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Brief description of the service

There are two staircases, one on either side of the home. Each side has three bedrooms and one bathroom for young people plus a staff bedroom. One side is usually used to accommodate female young people and the other male young people.

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Summary

This unannounced full key inspection looked at all the key standards plus the non-key standards relating to pocket money and bathrooms. The home provides a satisfactory service with some good outcomes for young people.

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Summary

Young people are supported to be healthy by taking part in sports and activities programmes, tailored to their individual interests. Participation in education is encouraged and suitable facilities provided for homework and study. Young people are supported to seek work and training opportunities.

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Summary

There is an established staff team who are supported by two acting managers. New members of staff are given a thorough induction to help them get used to the home and ways of working. Ongoing training ensures staff develop their skills and knowledge.

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Summary

Currently six young people are placed in the home; those present did not wish to contribute their views. As a result of this inspection, three actions and two recommendations have been made. 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

Risk assessments are now fully completed so that staff identify any action needed to minimise risk to young people and others.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff training in child protection is ongoing to make sure that staff are fully aware of their responsibilities regarding keeping young people safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate permissions have been obtained so that staff are able to administer 'homely' medication to young people when required. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle through diet, activities and sport. The home provides a varied diet which reflects young people's cultural and religious needs. Young people are able to put forward suggestions for menu planning and benefit from having a cook to prepare attractively presented meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff make sure young people can access any health services they require. Health needs are identified and clearly recorded. All young people are registered with a doctor and can access dental treatment to maintain their general health. Referrals are made to specialist health services so that young people's specific health needs can be met, for example, for counselling services or substance abuse advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate systems to store and administer medication to make sure this is done in a safe way. Written consent is obtained, from those with responsibility for young people, so non-prescribed 'household' medication can be safely administered to treat mild ailments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. There are systems in place to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from abuse. Staff receive training from time to time to ensure they know how to respond to any allegations or suspicion of abuse. It is made clear that bullying is unacceptable in the home and staff assess any risk of bullying to the existing group of residents before any new young person moves in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have clear procedures to follow, when young people are absent without authority from the home, to try to ascertain their whereabouts and their safe return. A few young people are frequently absent but staff try to maintain links with them and encourage their return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A system of rewards is in place to encourage acceptable behaviour, such as 'earning' extra pocket money for attending residents' meetings and taking part in activities. Staff use positive behavioural techniques to encourage young people to manage their own behaviour. Physical restraint and intervention is used only rarely and in appropriate circumstances. Any physical intervention is clearly recorded but young people's views are not included in this record. Sanctions are mostly appropriate, such as making reparation for any deliberate damage caused. However, on some occasions pocket money is inappropriately withheld.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy. There are clear guidelines for staff to follow should it be necessary to search any young person's room to protect their and other young people's welfare. All residents are allocated individual bedrooms and provided with room keys to afford them privacy. There are areas in the home where young people may meet with visitors in private if they so wish. Personal information is kept confidential and stored securely so young people know information about them will not be shared inappropriately with anyone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Any complaints made, or compliments given, by young people are recorded in the home. All complaints are investigated in a timely manner so people can be assured of a speedy response to their concerns. Young people are able to use residents' meetings and other forums to express any grievances they may have. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 There is a careful system of risk assessment to reduce risk when young people are taking part in both routine and more unusual activities, such as in the summer holidays. Regular fire drills and checks of fire equipment ensure staff and young people know what to do in event of a fire. However, current security arrangements at night compromise safety in the event of a fire and restrict freedom of movement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has some evidence of the checks carried out on prospective staff to ensure their suitability to work with young people. However, full evidence is kept off site and, therefore, it was not possible to securely test the robustness of the recruitment system on this occasion. Staff carefully check and monitor visitors to the home to ensure young people's protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. A high priority is given to the education, training and work experience of young people. Staff work effectively with other professionals to promote education and strongly encourage those young people with a school placement to attend regularly. Suitable facilities and a place to study are provided for young people who wish to do homework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are able to approach any member of staff with any concern, as well as their key worker, so receive individual support when they need it. Staff also make sure young people know how to contact someone independent of the home should they have a personal problem or concern about the home. Young people's individual interests and needs are clearly identified and interesting programmes of activities put in place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's needs are assessed and recorded and any potential risks to them identified, so staff know how best to plan their care. Through this system of risk assessment, they consider the likely effects on the existing residents before someone new is placed in the home. Care plans are adapted in light of young people's changing needs, taking into consideration young people's views of their placement and futures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's opinions are sought over their daily lives and futures. There are systems in place to do this, such as residents' meetings, which young people are encouraged to attend. Young people are supported to keep in touch with people who are important in their lives, where this appropriate. Telephone and e-mail contact, as well as personal visits, are encouraged.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home provides a pleasant environment for young people which is decorated and furnished to a good standard. There are comfortable communal areas where young people can meet with visitors. Appropriate facilities are provided to support young people's study and homework. The home is kept clean and tidy but use of a shared towel in one bathroom, used by staff and young people, compromises hygiene practice.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are allocated their own bedrooms which they may personalise. It was not possible to view bedrooms on this occasion. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for some domestic chores, such as cleaning their rooms and doing their own laundry. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 There is an attractive garden area for young people to play and relax in. Although generally well maintained, one area of paving has lifted and presents a trip hazard. The home is considering plans to change the use of this area in the near future.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home supports young people to develop skills for future independent living, such as learning how to budget for and prepare meals. Staff work collaboratively with the leaving care team to implement plans to prepare young people for their move to independent living.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

There is a system of providing pocket money and allowances to young people. However, there are conditions attached to receiving some monies and some payments might be withheld, for example, if a young person has been absent from the home without permission. The use of financial penalty other than for reparation impacts on young people's rights. There are positive opportunities for young people to 'earn' extra pocket money through a system of rewards.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The management of the home is currently shared by two deputies. The home plans to review its Statement of Purpose and children's guide when management arrangements are confirmed and there has been a review of what the service intends to provide in the future.

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Organisation

Young people benefit from an established, experienced staff team who are described as 'caring' and 'kind' by visitors to the home. Arrangements are made to ensure all staff have opportunities to meet as a team and share up to date information on young people's needs at the start of shifts.

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Organisation

The permanent staff are supported by agency staff who are regularly employed at the home, so providing continuity for young people and staff.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. Although staff includes both genders, the team does not entirely take into consideration young people's ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Individual programmes of activities, sports and hobbies are drawn up for each young person, taking into account any cultural or religious needs they may have. Menus are drawn up to include young people's likes and dislikes as well as with respect for any cultural or religious needs they may have regarding food.

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Organisation

Staff describe their induction into the home as 'outstanding' and feel the process really helped prepare them for their new role. Following induction, there are training opportunities to ensure staff can develop their skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to young people. There is a programme for staff to achieve appropriate qualifications.

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Organisation

There are systems in place to monitor the performance of the home against its Statement of Purpose and continuously improve the quality of the service. This includes seeking the views of young people and checking records so that anything requiring action can be identified.

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Organisation

A clear history of young people's time in the home is maintained with all required information. Records are stored securely so that information relating to young people is kept confidential. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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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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Due date Action Standard

4 September 2009 ensure financial penalties are not imposed unless by way of reparation (Regulations 14(2) and 17 (5) (g) 18 September 2009 make sure the paved area of the garden is safe for young people to use (Regulation 31) 4 September 2009 ensure clear access from all parts of the building at all times (Regulation 23)

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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): • encourage young people to write or have their views recorded and sign the records if possible, when disciplinary measures or restraint are used (NMS 22) • consider providing a single means of hand drying in bathrooms to promote good hygiene (NMS 25) • ensure that staffing arrangements take into account children's ethnic and cultural backgrounds (NMS 30) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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