Children's Home run by Anderida Adolescent Care Ltd in East Sussex

SC028526 Unique reference number 5 August 2009 Inspection date Liz Driver Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

27 January 2009 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC028526

p.3

Brief description of the service

This setting is registered to accommodate two young people aged between 11 and 18 years of age with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Brief description of the service

This service is two terrace houses that have been joined together. On the ground floor there are two separate front doors allowing young people who live in the home to have their own entrance. Both of the terrace houses have three bedrooms situated on the first floors, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and dining area. There is a large shared garden at the back of the houses.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is owned by an independent organisation.

p.4

Summary

This key inspection was unannounced taking place on a weekday. There was one action and one recommendation resulting from the last inspection that was followed up and found to be met. No actions or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. All key National Minimum Standards were assessed during this inspection.

p.4

Summary

Young people live in a home that is fully committed to ensuring they receive the best possible care. 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 training is organised and very well structured. Young people receive outstanding care across all but one of 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 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.

p.4

Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last unannounced inspection the setting was asked to consult with the fire authority to ensure the fire evacuation plan is safe and appropriate. This has been done and a comprehensive plan is now in place. The setting's child protection and safeguarding policy now includes reference to the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people at the setting enjoy a varied and nutritionally balanced diet that they have a voice in choosing. Flexible arrangements are made to take into account young people's choices. Individual dietary needs are identified in comprehensive health care plans that identify definite goals, relating to nutrition, for each young person. The home prepares young people to live independently and so they are expected to budget for and plan menus on a weekly basis. The company has recently introduced a project regarding 'world foods' where designated days focus 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 on different cultural foods. The newly implemented Ethical policy covers areas relating to food, waste and environmental effects.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Young people's individual health needs are identified and assessed as part of the pre admission process and ongoing throughout their stay at the setting. Health care plans are detailed, organised and reviewed regularly to a high standard. Clear records enable staff to support young people when they access other health related professionals. Health needs that may impact on young people's future are also identified and addressed; for example, physical, emotional and mental health. The setting works very closely with other health related professionals including a Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the local hospital. Feedback from young people and placing authorities, as part of this inspection and the company's own quality assurance systems, is that the home meets the health needs of young people to an excellent standard.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home has an effective medication policy that covers all areas relating to the administration of any medication. It has recently been updated to ensure disposal of medicines' procedures are clearly documented. Staff are trained and competent to administer medication with clear procedures for recording. All records relating to medication administration are very well maintained. Appropriate consents are sought for each young person for the administration of first aid and medication.

p.5

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.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from having access to a robust complaints procedure. 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 of the complaints procedure. Staff receive training in complaints and whistleblowing. Parents, family and other adults are provided with procedures to use if they wish to make a complaint. Recent complaints, minimal in number, from neighbours relating to noise levels have been robustly addressed by the manager.

p.5

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 with some staff having attended advanced child protection training. Young people benefit from in depth work around safeguarding and staying safe that is underpinned by high standard risk assessments. The commitment, communication and awareness shown by the manager and staff in protecting and safeguarding young people is excellent. Young people say they feel safe at the home and staff protect them.

p.5

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 manage young people's interactions very well and work with the young people to raise their awareness of anti bullying. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 The design of the home means that the young people have separate living areas and therefore dynamics can be easily managed by staff.

p.5

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. Close communication with the local police and consistency of staff practice enable the whereabouts of young people to be identified. Incidents of absconding are rigorously monitored by the manager. Staff facilitate discussions with the young people on their return. There has been a decrease in the number of absconding incidents due to good behaviour management.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has a behaviour management plan in place with risk assessments that are regularly reviewed. The behaviour management plans outline what support they need in achieving positive behaviour, what may distress them and what agreed rewards and sanctions are in place. The manager closely monitors practice and records relating to sanctions and physical interventions. The home is committed to promoting restorative justice and reparation work. This has proven to result in good outcomes for young people. The sanction policy now includes permissible and non permissible sanctions. All sanctions are overseen by the manager with excellent records kept. The number of physical interventions has decreased significantly recently. The company has its own members of staff who have been trained as trainers in behaviour management and physical interventions. All staff undertake a two day refresher course in

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

methods of restraint every four months. All new staff receive a four day course within the first three months of their employment.

p.6

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 including fire and activities. Records show that the electrics, gas and fire safety systems are professionally checked at suitable intervals. There are regular fire drills carried out in the home that staff and young people participate in. Internal checks are carried out on a weekly, monthly or three monthly basis. All records relating to checks are of a high standard. The home has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place. The manager monitors all records relating to health and safety to a very high standard.

p.6

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. The company's Human Relations department attend conferences and training to ensure they are up to date with changes in legislation relating to safer recruitment. The vetting of visitors is robust with records kept.

p.6

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 plans and weekly targets. The monthly reports include comments on areas such as diet, behaviour, activities, education, health, and contacts. The detailed care planning enables the staff to ensure that the young people receive high levels of support and that specialist support from external professionals is available when needed. The thorough planning and sensitive support offered to the young people is of an excellent standard.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is clearly valued by the home and young people are given high levels of commitment and support to maintain their placements at educational establishments. Attendance levels are 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 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 company have a registered school that young people can attend where tuition is on a one to one basis. Young people are assessed on their ability and educational needs to ensure a package is implemented which takes into account each individual's ability. Current young people are achieving well and planning, with much support from the staff and with excellent outcomes, to move into further education.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Each young person's preference relating to leisure and activities are known to staff. The young people have numerous opportunities to participate in a good variety of activities that they enjoy. Feedback from young people, staff and placing authorities were all very positive about individual support, education and activities provided.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people have their needs assessed effectively and comprehensively. Each young person has an extremely detailed and comprehensive care plan in place. These plans are reviewed regularly and are of a high standard. All looked after children's paperwork is in place. Young people are encouraged to take part in their reviews and do so pro-actively. Monthly reports by key workers recognise how young people have progressed or in what areas they may need more support. Targets for achievements are identified in care plans. Guidelines and goals for each young person, written under the every child matter outcomes are regularly reviewed and include areas such as addressing negative behaviour, contact with family and friends and maintaining good relationships with staff. All contact details are clearly recorded with restrictions also noted. Staff are fully supportive of facilitating contact arrangements with, if necessary, supervisory

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear written procedure in place which sets out a structure for introductions to the home for new admission. The process is clearly explained in the Statement of Purpose. Visits take place prior to young people moving in.

p.7

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. 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. 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 if appropriate.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

It is clear that young people are encouraged to make decisions of their own, assisted by risk assessments and support from staff. 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.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 Young people are extremely well 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. Young people have pathway plans that inform the areas of assistance they may require to provide life skills they will need as adults. The pathway plans also reflect what the longer term aims are for the young person and how staff can work with them to achieve these aims.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is comfortably furnished and well maintained. The young people are able to choose the décor and can personalise their bedrooms with pictures and posters. The setting's service plan identifies the need for on going redecoration and renewing of furnishings and fittings. The quality of furnishings and fittings is good. Feedback from young people is positive about the setting.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. All staff now complete a level 2 National Vocational Qualification in equality and diversity. Equality and diversity is being addressed at director level in the company to further develop new ways of embracing equality and diversity and of further promoting a diverse staff group. Current policies and procedures also reflect equality and diversity across the company.

p.8

Organisation

The home's Statement of Purpose was reviewed in April 2009. It was updated to correctly reflect the manager's qualifications. The young people have a handbook which they are given on arrival at the home. It makes clear the rights and responsibilities they have and what they can expect from the home. It includes useful telephone numbers of external agencies to whom young people can approach for advice or to whom they can complain.

p.8

Organisation

Staffing is organised and well structured with good numbers, experience and skill mix. Staff are competent and happy to work for the company. All members of staff receive regular training and new members of staff have a thorough induction process which increases their competences in line with the requirements off NVQ level 3 Caring for Children and Young People. There is a clear training schedule for each year with evidence of huge financial investment in training over the last 12 months. Training includes all mandatory areas plus more specialist areas. In house staff are NVQ assessors and are committed and passionate about their role. The impressive training delivered to staff enables the young people to be cared for by staff who are able to meet their needs to a high standard. The introduction of training on equality and diversity, plus the regularity of refresher courses staff undertake evidences the company's commitment

p.8

Organisation

to ensuring high standards are maintained. Staff confirm they are constantly being sent on new and improved training courses with excellent managerial support. Young people are cared for on a one to one basis enabling them to have a high level of support. Staff recruitment procedures enable young people to voice their views about prospective new staff.

p.8

Organisation

There is very strong management of the home. The Registered Manager closely monitories all aspects of the home and is fully up to date with all areas. Feedback from young people and staff regarding the manager; her style and abilities is excellent.

p.8

Organisation

There is clear evidence of very close monitoring of the home and its practices. This is reflected in the Regulation 33 visit reports plus feedback from young people and Local authorities gained 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 by the company and Ofsted. The home has an annual service plan that looks to develop the practice in the home as well as looking at ways to improve the facilities and environment.

p.8

Organisation

Young people's care plans are individual and reflect progress, needs and development. They are regularly reviewed and updated and of a high standard.

p.9

Organisation

The company has recently achieved a bronze status for Investors in People.

p.9

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.

p.9

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526

p.9