Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

SC034969 Unique reference number 3 March 2010 Inspection date Jackie Callaghan Inspector Random Type of 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 7 Inspection Report: SC034969

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to care for six boys and girls aged between 10 and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties, and has one emergency bed. The aim of the home is to provide settled care as an alternative for young people who cannot remain within the family, but for them to return as soon as possible. The home aims to provide a safe and caring environment for vulnerable young people who may display challenging behaviours.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated north of the city centre in a residential area. Local facilities include schools, shops and a GP practice. The building comprises three houses converted into one. Bedrooms are single with adjacent bathrooms and toilet facilities. There are two office areas, lounge, dining area, family room and kitchen.

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Brief description of the service

There are currently five young people living at the home with three being present during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an interim announced inspection. It took place following a suitable person interview of the acting manager of the home. The purpose of this visit was to follow up on actions and recommendations made at the home's last key inspection. This inspection also specifically focused on areas relating to keeping young people safe.

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Summary

This visit found that the home continues to provide a satisfactory standard of care. Good support is given to help young people flourish in their social and emotional development. Staff relationships with young people are caring and very supportive. However, one action and one recommendation are to be repeated in the being healthy and positive contribution outcome areas as they have yet to be comprehensively met. Two new recommendations have been raised in the staying safe outcome area as a result of this visit. 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

At the last inspection six actions and four recommendations were made. These related to the medication processes, staff recruitment checks, the complaint systems, the decoration and upkeep of the garden, and young people's care planning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There are now suitable arrangements for the administration of medication, including the disposal of medicines. However, staff have yet to have any training in the management of medicines and this is therefore repeated at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home and gardens have been refurbished and as a result are more welcoming. This creates a better space for young people to reside in. Complaint records now fully detail the outcome and resolution of issues raised. This shows that staff take seriously and act upon the concerns raised by young people. Staff recruitment checks including those for agency staff now detail all the requirements as laid out in Schedule 2 of the national minimum standards. This ensures young people's welfare is adequately safeguarded. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034969 Young people's care plans are now updated and are reflective of young people's individual needs. However, young people are still not signing these. Therefore, this recommendation is to be repeated again.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are adequately protected by the systems in place for the safe administration, storage and disposal of medication. Records are detailed and well maintained. Auditing processes effectively enable staff to recognise quickly if any mistakes have been made in the administration of any medication. This protects young people's health. However, staff require formal medication training. Such training will help to develop their knowledge and skills further and thus deepen safeguards for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Staff practice demonstrates that they respect the privacy and dignity of young people. Young people’s files and records are held securely and confidentially and young people confirmed that staff knock on their bedroom doors before entering. Staff consider it is most important to listen to young people in order to keep them safe. Policies and procedures provide appropriate guidance for staff in dealing with any issues or concerns. As a result, young people are able to raise issues and concerns with staff and/or the acting manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has detailed policies and procedures for all safeguarding practices in respect of child protection, countering bullying and absence of a child without authority. These are well implemented by staff who respond appropriately to any child protection concerns. The home has consistent practice in respect of the prevention of bullying to protect young people’s well-being. Staff spend time talking to young people about unacceptable language and/or behaviour. They also explore with young people the potential harmful impact this can have upon others. Young people commented that bullying does sometimes happen, however, staff are quick to intervene.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High priority is given to constant supervision of young people to make sure their needs are being met. This reduces the opportunity for young people to be absent without authority. Risk assessments are completed and good communication between staff is encouraged to ensure the safety and protection of young people. There is an established protocol with the local police. This enables the staff and police to take immediate action in respect of vulnerable young people. Consequently, there is a successful reduction in the incidence of young people going missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to behave well, to establish, achieve and maintain levels of behaviour that are socially acceptable and that will sustain them in their communities. However, there have been two occasions where an inappropriate sanction has been given. The acting manager stopped these sanctions quickly and addressed this appropriately with the staff involved. These sanctions, however, have been scribbled through which makes it difficult to read. This looks like they are being hidden instead of demonstrating that genuine mistakes in practice are dealt with openly. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034969 Positive steps are taken to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from fire and other hazards in the home. For example, risk assessments are completed in relation to fire and potential environmental hazards. Frequent checks are undertaken on fire equipment and emergency lighting, and fire drills are regularly undertaken, although these have not taken place at night.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This potentially compromises the ability of staff to keep young people totally safe, as they will not know how these young people will respond to such a drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No new staff have been employed since the last inspection. The acting manager demonstrates that the vetting of staff is taken seriously with further checks being made to contact the referees and noting and verifying any gaps in the employment record of applicants.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people have internal placement plans that set out how the home will meet the assessed needs and the key responsibilities of those involved. However, young people are still not being given the opportunity to sign these. These plans run alongside the necessary up to date looked after children documentation which is on young people's files.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Young people benefit from staying in a comfortable and homely environment. The home provides the right environment to ensure the social and personal needs of each young person are being met. There are appropriate systems in place to recognise maintenance issues, and those with health and safety implications are rectified as a priority.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home provides a wide range of information about its stated aims and purpose. Young people are given a handbook that is in an appropriate format to help them learn about what the home provides. The home has an induction, core training programme and support system in place that helps to provide staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to support and care for young people.

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Organisation

The provider has a clear organisational process in place to monitor and audit the quality of care being provided. Monthly monitoring reports are produced to summarise areas of the home's operation. This provides additional safeguards for young people by appropriately monitoring the home's function and staff's practice.

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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. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034969

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Due date Action Standard

3 May 2010 provide staff with appropriate training in the management of medicines. (Regulation 27 (4) (a))

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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 fire evacuations are held at night and are recorded (NMS 26.8) • ensure that the written records of sanctions are completed as contemporaneously as possible and are readable (24.4) • ensure young people are given the opportunity to sign their care plans. (NMS 2) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034969

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