Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Shropshire

SC020595 Unique reference number 12 March 2010 Inspection date Susan Mullin Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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8 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: SC020595

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide residential care for up to four young people of either gender, between the ages of 10 and 17 years, who suffer with emotional and behavioural problems.

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Brief description of the service

The home has four single bedrooms for the young people, two with wash basins, one bathroom with a toilet and a shower room with a toilet. There is a very large communal living area which incorporates a sitting area, dining area and a games area with internet access to a computer. There is also an extension which provides extra sleeping accommodation for staff and an arts and craft room. There are extensive grounds, with activity and play areas and a small wooded area to the rear. There are car spaces for several cars. The home is situated in a rural area with access to a town approximately five miles away.

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Brief description of the service

An education service is provided off site but there is a commitment to integrating young people into mainstream educational provision. In addition, the company employs therapists and engages other services which are available to the home and which are aimed at providing a range of services to young people and their families.

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Summary

This unannounced, interim inspection focused on the 'staying safe' outcome, as identified in the 'Every Child Matters' outcome groups. Other outcomes were not assessed during this visit, as they were assessed as 'good' when last inspected and will be the focus of the next visit to the service.

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Summary

At the time of the inspection, three young people were living at the home with one vacancy. There were no young people available to speak to during the inspection as they were either on activities or in education.

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Summary

The home provides a good standard of care for young people. Staff work hard to keep young people safe, with young people's needs being central to work undertaken by staff. The home have received five written compliments from external health professionals since January 2010, all of which praise the staff for their professionalism and support given to young people in their care. 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

At the last inspection, one action was made for the Registered Manager to ensure that records completed following the use of restraint on a young person, are in line with the required standard. New restraint records have been implemented and this action has now been met. One recommendation to refurbish the bathroom and shower has been put on hold until a pitched roof is put on the new extension. Progress on this will be checked on the next inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC020595

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home promotes the right to privacy for young people and maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality. Young people have their own bedrooms and staff are careful with how they communicate any information about young people with parents and other professionals. Staff receive training to fully understand young people’s rights.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All concerns and complaints made by young people living at the home are taken seriously by care staff. This is demonstrated by most concerns being addressed effectively long before they become a complaint. The home has a clear and effective complaint policy and procedure that is summarised in the young person's guide to the home. Young people have access to an independent advocacy service should they require help or support in making their concerns known.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare and safety of young people is actively promoted through robust policies which have been developed to recognise regulatory requirements and good practice, in areas of child protection. The policies cover countering bullying, effective behaviour management and safeguarding children. Staff are fully aware of the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board, including how to recognise signs of abuse. The company provide regular staff development opportunities to ensure that statutory and specialist training equips staff to look after young people safely. Staff are fully aware of the home's procedures for dealing with unauthorised absences, and report that there have been no absences since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management is firmly based on the active encouragement of acceptable behaviour. This is achieved by providing consistent expectations and by praising all positive behaviour. Staff treat the young people with a positive regard and this is generally reflected by good behaviour and a minimal need for the use of sanctions or behavioural controls. Staff receive suitable training in behaviour management, which includes the safe use of physical restraint to ensure that both young people and staff are kept safe. All incidents are evaluated by the home's manager. The views and opinions of young people are sought in this process to improve the safety, transparency and effectiveness of practice alongside the young person’s self-esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management demonstrates an awareness of the potential dangers to looked after children by producing an effective range of risk assessments. These cover all aspects of safety in the living environment, for example, the risk from fire and hazards, or from young people's behaviour. Recreational activities are included and identified in the risk assessment. These are effective because they are reviewed regularly and take into account daily tasks and any changes affecting the home such as staffing levels or changes in routine. Young people living in the home are encouraged to take fire safety seriously and undertake regular fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The Registered Manager provided a verbal summary of the service's recruitment and selection process, confirming that no staff start working at the home before all necessary checks are comprehensively completed. Staff in the home monitor visitors when they are in the home and all visitors have to sign in and out of the building.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC020595

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC020595

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