Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

SC034900 Unique reference number 18 March 2010 Inspection date Dawn Taylor Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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21 January 2010 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: SC034900

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Brief description of the service

This service provides residential short stay care to young people with learning and physical disabilities aged eight to 19 years old.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to the city centre which is fully accessible to the young people. The home has two units, one for young people with learning disabilities and the other for young people with physical disabilities or able-bodied young people who require a quieter environment.

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Summary

This inspection was an announced interim visit. The inspection focused on the arrangements for keeping young people safe and previous actions and recommendations.

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Summary

The overall quality rating for this setting remains good, with a good outcome judgement for staying safe. Young people live in a home that proactively safeguards and protects their welfare. The staff team continue to meet a complex range of needs using strategies that meet each individual's aims and objectives in partnership with parents. 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

One action was made at the last inspection and this is in the process of being met. The home was asked to ensure that staff have access to a programme of continuing training appropriate to the work they perform. Since the last inspection all staff have attended refresher fire awareness and safeguarding training. Staff requiring food hygiene training have been identified and they have either attended training or are booked in to attend training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff continue to promote young people's welfare and keep them safe. There are established policies and procedures and a staff training programme that addresses safeguarding, promoting appropriate behaviour and health and safety. This ensures staff practice is underpinned by theory that informs the local authority's values and ethos.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and confidentiality is respected and promoted, with all records stored securely and children's rights promoted. Staff continue to convey respect that preserves young people's rights to dignity and personal autonomy. Staff are sensitive to how they support and provide intimate and personal care to young people. For example, residential action plans give good emphasis about the kind of support which is needed and its frequency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints and concerns are investigated and young people and parents are responded to. Complaints are clearly recorded and include the nature of the complaint, the actions taken and the outcome. These records are regularly monitored independently from the staff at the home. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034900 Anti bullying and behaviour management is taken seriously and discussed between staff and young people on a regular basis. Practical arrangements with regards to short breaks for young people who do not get on with each other are considered as part of the matching process. Staff are also mindful of the vulnerability of young people with disabilities who require assistance to move when with physically able children. Risk assessments provide a comprehensive overview of the risk of young people either being the victim of bullying or a young person with a behaviour that could affect others. Relationships between staff and young people are respectful and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

incidents are rare but when they do occur they are sensitively managed in partnership with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are established procedures with regard to children going missing without authority. Due to the nature of the young people staying at this home, any young person who is absent without the staff being aware, is of significant concern. Staffing levels are high and there have been no incidents but staff are clear about the process of notifying parents and other agencies in such circumstances.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The short breaks service continues to adhere to Nottingham City Council's health and safety procedures. Staff are trained in safe moving and handling. Overhead hoists, electric beds and access to a manual hoist allow staff to adhere to safe moving and handling practices. There is a maintenance and inspection process for gas, electricity and water installations. Electrical testing is carried out annually and a record is kept. The maintenance of equipment, electric beds and hoisting equipment is also carried out annually. All fire safety checks and drills are carried out at appropriate intervals. However, fire drills do not take place at night. This potentially puts staff and young people at risk as procedures are not being tested and risk assessments are not being reviewed with the insight gained through actual experience.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff vetting records were not examined during this inspection, however, at the previous key inspection they were found to be robust, well organised and clearly demonstrated all the necessary checks being completed prior to employment.

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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: SC034900

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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 at least four fire drills, including evacuation of staff and children from the building and fire drills held at night, take place in a 12 month period, and are recorded. (NMS 26.8) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC034900

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