Children's Home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Kent

SC063689 Unique reference number 24 August 2009 Inspection date Caroline Wilson Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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10 December 2008 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 8 Inspection Report: SC063689

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in a suburban area. It is a large detached property offering good sized rooms throughout and a garden area to the rear. The children have access to local buses, a mainline train station and a company car by arrangement to enable them to use the local leisure facilities. The home is registered to provide care for up to six children, aged between 10 and 18, who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Summary

This unannounced inspection looked at the key standards in relation to the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. Young people and staff were spoken to and relevant documentation was perused in order to inform this inspection report.

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Summary

A number of improvements have been made to this home. A stronger management structure is in place. The new manager is supported by the deputy manager to ensure that staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting young people's welfare. Staff are particularly good at communicating and consulting young people on decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. Staff are also good at treating young people as individuals and respecting their diverse needs.

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Summary

Improvements are needed in areas such as recording, for instance ensuring that staff record all key work sessions that they have with young people. The home also needs to ensure that policies and procedures provide staff with correct information on how to promote young people's welfare. 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

Improvements have been made in relation to all the actions set at the last inspection. Suitable arrangements are now in place for the handling of medication. A restraints book is now in place. Staff now receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisals, and visits to monitor the performance of the home are now undertaken.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people's health is promoted. A balanced diet is provided. Young people with specialist or diverse dietary needs are catered for. Young people have the opportunity to plan what they want to eat. No young person is assumed to be unable to communicate their views.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are registered with general health care services and are supported to access specialist provision according to need. Young people's health needs are promoted. The home has good relationships with primary and specialist health care professionals, according to the needs of the young person. Young people's needs relating to their sexuality are satisfactorily met. Specialist services are put in place, however, not all staff provide young people with consistent advice regarding their sexuality. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC063689 Medication systems are in place which ensure that young people's welfare is safeguarded by the home's policies for the administering of medicines and providing treatment. Suitable arrangements are in place for the handling, safekeeping and storage of medication.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are able to make complaints in relation to the home. They are provided with the opportunity to voice their concerns during weekly residents meetings. However, although young people's complaints are addressed within relevant timescales, the action taken is not immediately clear. This is because the outcome is not recorded in the complaints book, but in other documentation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Where there is a suspicion of abuse or neglect the home works to keep young people safe in cooperation and partnership with the other relevant agencies. Robust action is taken where necessary to counter risks and unacceptable practice. Staff receive regular training in relation to safeguarding matters. Policies and procedures were recently revised, however, these provide staff with misinformation in relation to correct procedures. Staff have not been inducted to these procedures. The organisation is in the process of revising policies and procedures to enable staff to promote the welfare of young people in its care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected. Each young person has their own bedroom which they can lock. Bathroom and toilet facilities offer adequate levels of privacy. Staff are sensitive to privacy issues when dealing with the opposite sex. Young people have use of telephones in order for them to make personal or private telephone calls. Usage of this is consistent with good parenting and the need to protect the young person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff recruitment processes satisfactorily ensures that only suitable people are employed to work with young people in the home. Staff have the required number of references and proof of identification. Where CRB checks have not been returned, POCA checks and risk assessments are undertaken to ensure that staff do not work on a one-to-one basis with young people. In addition, not all gaps in staff employment histories are accounted for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying. The home's position in relation to bullying is clear and known by young people and staff; written policy and guidance informs practice. All new staff receive induction training to enable them to identify the various forms of abuse and what remedial action can be taken to promote young people's wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety and welfare of young people that are missing is promoted. Where there is an identified risk, measures to reduce and counter this are agreed on and included in placement plans and support. Staff are aware of, and do not exceed, the measures they can take to prevent a young person leaving without permission.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour through encouragement of acceptable behaviour and an immediate staff response to inappropriate behaviour. Any inappropriate behaviour is discussed with the young person at the time of the incident to enable them to understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Care plans and risk assessments set out the support to be provided to young people in relation to promoting positive behaviour and encouraging acceptable behaviour. Behaviour is also discussed on a regular basis in key working sessions. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC063689 Young people live in a home that provides physical safety and security. Gas and electrical safety checks are carried out at recommended intervals. Fire safety systems are installed and maintained. Food storage and preparation areas are clean.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people receive individual support when they need it and are able to approach and discuss issues with staff or with their key workers on a one-to-one basis. However, documentation of key work sessions are remiss and not a true reflection of the good work undertaken by staff with young people. Young people are treated as individuals and their choices are respected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is actively promoted as valuable in itself and as part of preparation for adulthood. Staff routinely liaise with and attend events and meetings at schools to support young people's development and progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are able to pursue their particular interests, develop confidence in their skills and are supported and encouraged by staff to engage in leisure activities. Opportunities to participate in a range of activities in and away from the home are available. Daily notes and team meetings minutes indicate staff have worked hard to engage young people in constructive activities with some success.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people have their needs assessed, and written placement plans outline how these needs will be met. Young people are consulted with regarding the content of placement plans. Each placement plan is monitored by a key worker within the home who ensures that the requirements of the plan are implemented.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged to make decisions about the way that the home is run. Records evidence that young people are involved in regular, group discussions, where their decisions are sought over key decisions that affect their daily lives. Young people also participate in minute taking. Staff cannot alter what young people have written so it is a true record of what has been discussed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's needs and development are reviewed regularly in the light of their care and progress at the home. Placement plans are reviewed on a three monthly basis and statutory reviews are held within relevant timescales. The home makes an effective contribution to each young person's placement plan and care review, and encourages young people's participation as far as is feasible in the process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain constructive contact with their families and friends in accordance with plans made by the placing authority.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Placement plans cover the promotion of independent living skills. Young people are encouraged to learn independence skills in line with their aptitude and abilities. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC063689 Young people enjoy homely accommodation, decorated, furnished and maintained to a good standard, providing adequate facilities for their use. Young people are able and encouraged to personalise their bedrooms. The home is kept clean.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. A manager is in place, although at present, relevant checks have not been undertaken to enable them to undertake their role independently. In addition the acting manager has not yet submitted their application to Ofsted to become a Registered Manager. There are good arrangements for deputising in the absence of the manager, who is supported in their role by a deputy manager. The young people are cared for and looked after by staff that are trained and supported to do so. The registered person is ensuring that training and supervision is provided and the frequency of supervision meets minimum standards.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The home provides accurate and up-to-date information about the services it provides in the Statement of Purpose and in the Young Person's Guide. The Young Person's Guide is appropriate to the age, understanding and communication needs of the young people placed.

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Organisation

The home is monitored and continually adapted in light of information about how it is operating. Regulation 33 visits are undertaken within timescales. These are read by staff during team meetings, who sign them off to say that they have read and understood them.

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Organisation

Each young person has a permanent and secure record of their history and progress, which can, in compliant with legal requirements, be seen by the young person and their parents as appropriate.

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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

30 November 2009 ensure that the consequences of the use of any restraint are recorded. (Reg 17 (4) (f) ) 31 December 2009 ensure that young people are provided with consistent guidance relating to their sexuality, appropriate to their needs. (Reg 20 (2) (d) ) 31 October 2009 ensure that the outcome of any complaint is documented in the complaints book. (Reg 24 (5) ) 31 December 2009 ensure that written policies relating to safeguarding safeguard young people living at the home. (Reg 16 (1) (a) ) 31 December 2009 ensure that full and satisfactory information is available for staff before they start working at the home. (Reg 26 (3) (d) ) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC063689 30 November 2009 ensure that records of all key work sessions are written up. (Reg 29 (1) )

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC063689

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