Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

SC068076 Unique reference number 30 March 2010 Inspection date Jane Rushby Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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4 December 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 6 Inspection Report: SC068076

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is run is by a local authority; it provides short-term placements. It is a semi-detached property in a small village and is registered for two young people aged 11 to 17 years. It has a living room, dining room, conservatory and kitchen on the ground floor. On the first floor there are two bedrooms for young people, a bathroom and two bedrooms for staff. A shower room for staff is situated on the ground floor together with domestic style laundry facilities.

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Summary

At this unannounced interim inspection, all key standards in staying safe were inspected. The other outcomes had all been judged as good at the previous key inspection in December 2009.This is a good service. Young people benefit from practices which promote their welfare and ensure their safety. There is one recommendation arising from this inspection. Two young people currently live at the home, both were present and one 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

The registered person was asked to address a number of shortfalls following the previous visit. With one exception these have been addressed and have been commented on under being healthy, staying safe and positive contribution.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. At the previous visit the registered person was asked to ensure that there is at all times at least one person on duty at the children's home who has a suitable first aid qualification. This has been carried out in full.

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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. A young person said 'staff leave us alone in our rooms when we want time on our own'. Where room searches are carried out young people are involved as appropriate given the particular circumstances.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from an effective complaints process which investigates concerns thoroughly. A young person said 'I know how to make a complaint, I haven't needed to, I would tell staff'. There have been six complaints received since the previous visit which have been investigated and the complainants informed of the outcome. Full information is recorded which cross references accurately with other records. Young people have positive relationships with staff at this home and feel listened to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from good management of child protection concerns. Staff receive regular training, respond appropriately to allegations and disclosures and liaise effectively with relevant 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC068076 external agencies. A young person said 'I feel safe here, I can talk to staff if I'm upset'. Young people did not raise concerns about bullying behaviour, however, staff recognise the potential for this within the context of the group dynamics and clear strategies are in place to protect young people from bullying. Young people who may go missing are protected by clear protocols and effective liaison with local police. A recommendation arising from the previous visit to ensure that written records are made of the circumstances of all incidents of absconding has been partially carried out, however, there is a shortfall in that the date of the event has not always been recorded which hampers monitoring of these incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from clear and consistent expectations of behaviour. An action arising from the previous visit, that the responsible person ensure that all staff are trained in the use of physical restraint, has been carried out. Young people feel that rules and expectations are fair. One said 'I recommend this home, it's really good, staff here really care'. Where sanctions and physical interventions are carried out, these are an appropriate response to the young people's behaviour, fully recorded and monitored by senior staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by sound health and safety procedures which are monitored regularly. Young people are familiar with evacuation procedures. A risk assessment process addresses the needs of the individual in addition to an analysis of group dynamics and staff are aware of the risks arising from the needs and behaviour of the young people. Risk assessments are monitored and updated regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors to the home are vetted to ensure the safety of young people. Young people benefit from an effective staff recruitment process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. At the previous visit the Registered Manager was asked to ensure that health needs are set out in placement plans for young people and also that young people know the content of their care and placement plans. These recommendations have been carried out in full. Young people have 24 hour management plans which summarise key points required for staff who care for them. These plans are discussed with young people and signed by them.

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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. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC068076

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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 written records are made of the circumstances of all incidents of absconding and in particular that the date of the event is clearly recorded in the record. (National Minimum Standard 19.6) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC068076

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