Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

SC040628 Unique reference number 27 August 2009 Inspection date Peter Daniel Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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20 February 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 8 Inspection Report: SC040628

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is a substantial Victorian detached building that was formerly a home for children with disabilities. It has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and has a very large garden which is well laid out. The home accommodates up to seven children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Placements are medium to long-term. The home accepts children of both sexes between 10 and 18 years but 10 to 14 years on admission. Seven children are currently placed.

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Brief description of the service

The premises are decorated in a bright and modern style and furnished to a high standard. There are excellent facilities including an art room, computer room, soft play area and library. The communal rooms are very large and there is a quiet room for young people. The home is about two miles from the town centre and is easily accessible by public transport.

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Summary

This was an unannounced key inspection. The home has positive leadership from a very experienced and qualified management team. There is a stable and trained staff group. The staff are child-centred and there are positive relationships between staff and the young people. The home has excellent safeguarding systems in place. The management group places emphasis on providing training opportunities on behalf of the staff. The culture within the home suggests that staff are motivated to reflect upon and evaluate their practice and the subsequent outcomes for the children. The staff are promoting equality and diversity. Staff give priority to ascertaining the wishes and feelings of the children. Children and young people reported that they feel looked after and that staff attend to their welfare. There are no breaches of regulations and no actions or recommendations are raised. The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following a recommendation from last inspection, the staff have completed safeguarding refresher training. Staff have learnt additional skills in helping young people prepare for independent living. A learning group has been set up for senior residential workers. The evidence throughout, is that this is a progressive home that is continually wanting to do better.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The home successfully promotes the health needs of the young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people undergo annual medical checks and attend general practitioner, dental and optician's checks as appropriate. Young people with mental health issues are referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). A Consultant Child Psychiatrist from CAMHS regularly attends staff meetings and offers advice and support about the care of the children. The home is able to access individual and play therapy for children, via local services.

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Helping children to be healthy

All staff have received training in first aid and handling of medication training. The shift leader administers prescribed medication. Medication records are in good order. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC040628 Senior staff have additional responsibilities for the management of day to day health and safety matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home provides healthy, balanced meals including fresh fruit and vegetables. Young people generally appreciate the food provided by the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are offered advice on healthy living. A Looked After nurse visits the home and talks to young people about alcohol and drug misuse and sexual health. The home has a 'no smoking policy' that applies to children, staff and visitors. Young people have the opportunity to take part in outdoor activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Overall, staff demonstrate individualised care and support to the children and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The home effectively safeguards the welfare of children. There are procedures for child protection, bullying, unauthorised absence, sanctions, restraint, notifications and complaints. There is also guidance on how staff should respond to suspected abuse or mistreatment of a child. Staff are familiar with the safeguarding procedures and know what to do and how to report concerns if they are concerned about the welfare of a child. All staff have recently done refresher training on safeguarding and understand their responsibilities in relation to protecting children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operates robust recruitment procedures. New applicants undergo an intensive interview process. Criminal Record Bureau checks are up to date. The head office will remind the home when CRB checks are due for renewal. Staff files are in good order and contain supervision records, appraisals, references and details of training and qualifications. The managers have recently attended a one day course on safer recruitment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is fully staffed. Staff provide consistent care and control and assist young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff, based on trust, openness, honesty and respect.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has effective systems for managing and safeguarding children's behaviour. These include the management and monitoring of significant incidents, sanctions, restraints, unauthorised absences and complaints. The home uses sanctions sparingly. Sanctions mostly involve delaying pocket money and early bedtimes. The home uses restraint minimally. The home records significant incidents. There have been no Schedule 5 notifications regarding significant incidents and no formal complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assessed for potential risk including an assessment of their emotional needs. The assessments are updated every three months and are reviewed by the staff team.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home ensures that positive steps are taken to keep young people safe from risk within the building. Monthly health and safety checks and weekly maintenance checks are carried out. A fire risk assessment has been completed and fire drills are carried out at regular intervals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, safeguarding is seen as a priority and is embedded in the culture of the home's practice. Staff take the opportunity to reflect on and improve practice through supervision, staff meetings, 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC040628 small group discussions and training. There are also various monitoring systems in place as detailed under organisation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The home actively promotes the education of children. Four children are in mainstream education and three in special schools. The home has an Exclusion Policy where children excluded from school are expected to engage in school work. When children are excluded for more than five days, the school has the responsibility to send home work. Tutors in Maths, English, History and Science attend the home weekly. All the children receive half an hour of tutoring. Some children have homework and staff ensure checks of homework diaries. The home has space for children to do homework. Staff have links with schools and attend Personal Education Planning meetings and keep close contact with tutors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children and young people take part in recreational activities - including cinema, gym, girl guides, swimming, biking, visits to theme parks, camping and dance. In house activities include TV, Play Station, DVD's and games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has a family day room, a computer and homework room, a television lounge, an art room, a soft play room and a playroom.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Overall, the children are able to pursue their particular interests and are supported by staff to engage in education and leisure across a range of subjects and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The home provides opportunities for young people to make their views known about the way the home is run. The children attend communal mealtimes and during meals are invited to give feed back about how their day has been and to give their views about matters concerning the day to day running of the home. The home also aims to have house meetings monthly but children seem to prefer the less formal discussion at mealtimes. The children are supported by two link workers with whom they are encouraged and supported to communicate their views. They see their link worker weekly. There is also a lot of informal contact between children and staff. The children attend their Looked After review meetings when their needs are assessed and reviewed regularly in the light of their care and progress at the home. Children are able to maintain constructive contact with their families. The staff offer outreach work, including work

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Helping children make a positive contribution

with parents and family sessions. Young people know how to complain and feel able to complain. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Overall, children's views are integral to the running of the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. The home actively supports young people in preparation for independent living and adulthood. Young people learn skills such as laundry, cooking, shopping, handling money and budgeting. The home has independent living accommodation available for one young person post 16 years, 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC040628 as long as they have been resident at this home for at least three years. The young person must be in full time education or employment. The young people undertake the Pathway Plan in preparation for leaving care. They are referred for advice on benefits and employment. Young people also attend work experience.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The staff also ensure post-placement support. Staff liaise with local authority children's teams and the transitions team.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children and young people enjoy homely accommodation. The home is decorated, furnished and maintained to a high standard with good facilities. Each young person has his/her own room which is suitably furnished. The garden offers a recreation area. The building has been risk managed and work is currently being done to repair the roof and replace the windows.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The home has a Statement of Purpose and relevant procedures. A working group is being set up to revise procedures under the 'Every Child Matters' outcomes.

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Organisation

The home currently has seven children in placement. The home has a full compliment of trained and experienced staff. The staff group is stable. The composition of staff is evenly balanced in terms of gender. There are four staff from ethnic minorities.

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Organisation

There are appropriate ratios of staff to children. A minimum of two staff are always on shift. Staff receive supervision monthly. The supervision agenda includes discussion on link working with the child, care planning and recording. Staff have undergone appraisals and have been set individual targets.

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Organisation

The managers have completed supervision training and senior residential workers are about to undertake training in supervision.

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Organisation

The home places a high priority on the training and development of its staff. Senior management have completed training in therapeutic child care. All staff are well trained and have completed or are completing NVQ level 3 training or a higher award.

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Organisation

Established staff members receive at least ten days external training annually, in addition to internal team training. External training has included attendance at seminars at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. The home recently completed refresher training in safeguarding. Other training has included life story work, managing challenging interactions, loss and bereavement, attachment and child observation. The seniors group has set up a learning group to develop practice. Staff have also developed their skills in working with young people regarding independent living skills. One staff member has done training on the emotional needs of care leavers.

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Organisation

The home convenes regular management meetings and staff meetings. Staff are supported by management and there is good morale.

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Organisation

The home aims to match the placement to the child's needs. There is a clear referral protocol. Admissions are always planned and include an introductory period. A referral is first made to the Local Authority's placement panel. The home undertakes an initial placement plan and an 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC040628 emotional needs and risk assessment. The internal placement plans are reviewed and updated by the link worker and supervisor.

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Organisation

Children's files are in good order and include current placement plans, risk assessments, care plans and review of arrangements. All records are securely maintained.

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Organisation

The home seeks feedback on its performance from children, parents, social work teams, Independent Reviewing Officers, Regulation 33 reports and monthly member's visits.

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Organisation

The home has equal opportunities and anti discriminatory practice policies. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Staff strive to implement equality and provide a child-centred approach.

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Organisation

The staff strive for further improvement and are motivated to evaluate and reflect on the home's organisation and practice as has been described in the safeguarding section of this report.

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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. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC040628

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