Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Birmingham

SC396463 Unique reference number 30 March 2010 Inspection date Jacqui Gosling Inspector Key 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 9 Inspection Report: SC396463

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is located within walking distance of various bus links which provide easy access to the city centre with its range of amenities and facilities, such as cinemas, theatres, art galleries, museums, swimming pools, bowling alleys and football clubs. The city has excellent rail links that can help promote contact. The home offers access to a range of centres for different religions.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a modern detached four bedroomed property set on a corner plot. It is well decorated in a neutral style awaiting personalisation. It is comfortably furnished and contains all amenities associated with modern living such as central heating, fitted kitchen with fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, toilets on both floors and good bathing and shower facilities adjacent to children's bedrooms. The home has a comfortable communal lounge and separate dining room. There is a television, music system and internet linked personal computer. Young people have their own comfortable bedrooms. Currently two young people are living at the home

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Summary

This is the first key inspection since the home was registered in June 2009. This unannounced inspection concentrates on key national minimum standards focusing on all outcome areas. How staffing and management arrangements support the operation of the home are also considered.

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Summary

This is a satisfactory service with good aspects. The medical and health needs of young people are well managed. Education and individual support for young people are good. The home works closely with a variety of agencies in order to meet the full range of young people's needs.

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Summary

There are a few shortfalls that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of its service for young people. For example, to ensure the complex needs of the young people are fully met, the staff team require further training. 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

Not applicable. This is the first inspection since registration.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are consistently provided with a well-balanced diet. The available choices mean they receive the range of nutrients required for healthy growth and nutrition. Staff are keen to promote healthy eating and encourage young people to try new foods at mealtimes. Mealtimes are very social occasions where staff and young people sit together and enjoy each other's company.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are receiving a good range of advice and guidance from staff and external professionals about what matters in regard to their health. The promotion of young people's 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463 health is taken seriously by the home. Staff know about young people's medical needs and have the skills necessary to ensure they safely manage the administration of medication and first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health and care needs of young people are identified and updated regularly. A clear plan for each young person details how their specific and general health issues are to be addressed. All young people are registered with the required health professionals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The organisation's procedures and practices ensure the health needs of all young people can be met. Staff ensure signed medical consent forms from the person with parental responsibility are obtained for vaccinations, preventative inoculations, the administration of household medication and first aid. The well-being of young people is further promoted by staff undertaking training in first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home has very effective policies, procedures and care practices, which ensure that young people are cared for safely. For example, robust individual risk assessments and support plans ensure that staff have appropriate strategies in place to protect young people. Young people are protected from abuse because staff are properly trained and have a good understanding of the home's procedures for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information held on behalf of all young people is appropriately stored. Staff are aware of their responsibilities to promote privacy and confidentiality. The home has appropriate policies in respect of staff entering young people's bedrooms and for conducting searches of their rooms when it is necessary to do so. When room searches occur, appropriate records are kept.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints from the young people or neighbours are managed well. There is a clear complaints procedure which is made known to young people when they come to live in the home. Young people understand how to make a formal complaint and the records show that they feel confident about letting staff know if they are unhappy with any aspect of their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of young people is protected because staff receive training in child protection. The procedures in the home fully comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Their safety is further promoted when their whereabouts are unknown as staff follow the agreed reporting procedures for these circumstances. This results in practices that are consistent with wider police protocols for reporting young people who go missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop appropriate behaviour through the encouragement of acceptable behaviour and constructive staff responses to inappropriate behaviour. Behaviour management policies and strategies have, as their prime objective, the creation of a safe, supportive environment. However, on a few occasions the monetary rewards young people have earned for their positive behaviour have been inappropriately sanctioned to pay reparation for damage they have done in the home. Staff have completed the required training to ensure if physical intervention is necessary it is consistent with guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff appear very comfortable with their role, and observation and records show they clearly understand the need for boundaries while maintaining a high quality relationship between themselves and young people. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463 Young people live in a home that provides for their physical safety and security. There are appropriate risk assessments for all aspects of the safety of the premises and grounds. This includes serious incident planning, the behaviour of the young people, and their activities, all of which are updated as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust procedures are in place to protect young people from fire. There are records to show that all the fire systems are regularly tested. Staff and young people undertake fire drills in excess of requirements. Relevant certificates show that regular servicing and maintenance are completed on all gas and electrical equipment. Visitors to the home are shown the fire exits. This is good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The company operates effective staff vetting procedures. All the necessary checks including an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure are undertaken before staff are employed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All visitors to the home are monitored by being asked to show proof of their identity and to sign in the visitors' book. These procedures ensure all young people living here are protected from any potential risks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The progress and development of young people are well documented in their files and show how young people are supported throughout their stay. For example, young people are provided with regular opportunities to spend individual time with their key worker. The home's records show that these sessions provide young people with the opportunity to talk about particular issues relevant to them as individuals and to receive support and guidance consistent with their needs. Staff know the young people well and are able to respond to them in a way that considers and respects them as individuals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Written plans and monitoring systems are used to guide young people's educational progress and to help them reflect on their learning. These plans are regularly reviewed and evaluated in order to ensure the environment is tailored to further all young people's steps in learning. The staff liaise with young people's schools and are proactive in ensuring young people's education is fully supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All young people are supported and encouraged to participate in hobbies and activities of their choice within and outside of the home. Staff ensure there is a correct balance between supervised and unsupervised time. This is risk assessed and takes into consideration the age, gender, abilities and interests of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives. They are actively encouraged to communicate their views in regular discussions with their key carers, during group meetings and on an informal basis every day. In discussion, staff clearly demonstrate that they value the views and opinions of young people. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463 Staff respect and value equality and diversity. It is clear throughout the young people's placement plans that their individual needs are identified. Staff have a proactive approach to working with external agencies, social workers and other professionals to address these needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, following emergency placements, some local authority social workers fail to provide the required looked-after-child paperwork in a timely way. Observation confirms staff make telephone contact with the social worker to request this paperwork is provided. However, paperwork is still not provided promptly as requested. The review meeting to discuss the placement needs of young people is required to take place within 72 hours. However, there are occasions when it is not held due to social workers being unavailable. This does not promote prompt effective care planning for the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

In accordance with their care plans all young people are encouraged to maintain contact with members of their families. Staff clearly understand how important communication and contact with their family are for the young people and support their contact arrangements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The regional manager currently makes decisions about admissions to the home based on the referral information presented to him and with reference to the needs of the young people already living in the home. However, none of this information is kept in the home and it is, therefore, not available for external inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff take time to build relationships between themselves and the young people. They have clear expectations of appropriate behaviour and young people are observed to initiate interaction and seek help from the various staff members on duty.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is located in a residential area and the young people have good access to transport, education facilities, health care provision and leisure activities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a child-friendly comfortable home that is decorated and furnished to an appropriate standard. Photographs of the young people and collages of their trips and activities are displayed throughout the home and this creates a pleasant domestic-style environment, which also provides ample space for the number, age and gender of the young people living here.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The design, layout and use of the accommodation allow young people to receive individual care and privacy. All young people have their own bedrooms where they keep their personal belongings.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The interior and exterior of the home are maintained in a good state of structural and decorative repair with an ongoing maintenance programme in place. The garden provides ample outdoor space for activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Young people, parents, staff and placing authorities have access to a Statement of Purpose and young people's guide, which outline the principles, practice and the services that they can expect from the home. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463 The home is currently without a Registered Manager, following her resignation. Ofsted have been appropriately informed and the company is in the process of recruiting a new manager. Until this occurs, there is a clear staffing structure with clear lines of accountability in the home. The acting manager is appropriately qualified, skilled and experienced to provide leadership to the staff team and young people. She is actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the home and has clear expectations that the staff team will achieve the best possible outcomes for all young people in their care. The home has clear deputising arrangements in her absence.

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Organisation

Staff duty rotas and the manner in which staff are deployed confirm that the home keeps sufficient staff on the duty rota at all times. Senior members of staff lead the shifts. However, only one member of staff has completed their National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People training. The home takes young people with complex needs but none of the staff group have undertaken any specific training to assist them meet these needs.

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Organisation

Staff meetings and supervision occur regularly. This provides young people with a staff group, who are themselves supported and appropriately guided in promoting their welfare needs.

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Organisation

There are appropriate systems in place to monitor the daily lives of the young people currently living in the home. Regulation 33 visits are undertaken monthly to monitor the overall care and welfare of the young people. The acting manager undertakes monitoring of all the files and records as required.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The individual files of the young people are comprehensive; their health, welfare and educational needs, development and progress are recorded to reflect their individuality. They contain a range of information about young people's history and progress, which matches the requirements set out in Schedule 3 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001.

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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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Due date Action Standard

28 June 2010 ensure before providing accommodation for a young person, or if that is not reasonably practicable as soon as possible, that a written plan is prepared in consultation with the young person's placing authority and obtain looked after child documentation (Regulation 12(1)(a-c)) 28 June 2010 promote and make proper provision for the welfare of young people accommodated (Regulation 11(1)(a)) 28 June 2010 ensure all staff receive appropriate training, specifically appropriate to the work they perform. (Regulation 27 (4)(a)) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463

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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 measures of control and disciplinary measures are based on establishing positive relationships with young people; are designed to help the young people; such measures should be fair and consistently applied, specifically any positive reward monies earned by the young people should not be used to make reparation or restitution. (NMS 22.3) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC396463

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