Children's Home run by BREAK in Norfolk

SC060743 Unique reference number 10 March 2010 Inspection date David Martin 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 6 Inspection Report: SC060743

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a registered charity. It provides long-term accommodation for four children and young people, of either gender. They can stay at the home until they reach 18 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a six-bedroom, three-storey house rented from a local housing association. It is set in a small seaside town and is only a few miles from a busy holiday centre with all its additional attractions and amenities. The house is indistinguishable from others in the area.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against national minimum standards in the staying safe outcome area. A check was also made regarding compliance with actions and recommendations contained in the last inspection report.

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Summary

Overall, the home is providing children and young people with a safe environment and has measures in place to ensure that they are protected from harm. Since the last inspection the fire protection has been enhanced. The home is working well to ensure that the children and young people are not engaged in anti-social behaviour. There are shortfalls in the way that an anti-bullying culture is promoted within the home. 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

The home has replaced a number of fire doors in the home which ensures that the premises are safe. Guidance has been issued to staff on the administration of household remedies to ensure that all medicines are administered safely. Review decisions are now routinely held on file ensuring that care planning is as up to date as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Since the last inspection the home has introduced comprehensive policies and procedures in relation to medicines kept in the home. This includes guidance on the administration of household remedies. This contributes to the overall safety and well-being of children and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The privacy and dignity of children and young people is promoted. The children and young people have keys to their bedrooms and bathroom doors are lockable. They are expected to be appropriately dressed in communal areas of the home. All records are held securely and staff have a good understanding of issues of confidentiality. This contributes to the safety of the children and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There has been one formal complaint since the last inspection. This was resolved appropriately. Publicity material about raising concerns and complaints is available in the children and young 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC060743 people's guide to the home. They have information about external agencies including details of the regulatory authority. This ensures that children and young people's views are taken seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no safeguarding referrals in the period since the last inspection. Staff have completed child protection training and refresher training is booked. They are confident about reporting their concerns and understand issues relating to the need to share information. Whilst there are no current concerns about bullying in the home, the children and young people do not have access to information which promotes an anti-bullying culture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have completed training in managing challenging behaviour and have a range of skills and techniques to avoid confrontation. There have been no incidents requiring the use of physical intervention since the last inspection. Sanctions, when used, are applied appropriately. The home actively encourages children and young people to avoid anti-social behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

On the whole, the premises are safely maintained ensuring that children and young people are not exposed to environmental risks. New fire doors have been fitted and the work has been approved by the local fire safety officer. Fire equipment is well maintained. Fire drills are held regularly but the record does not accurately reflect this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are only employed following robust vetting including Criminal Records Bureau checks. This contributes to the overall safety and well-being of children and young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Since the last inspection the home has ensured that it has received copies of review minutes for each child or young person. This ensures that care planning is up to date and that review decisions are known to staff.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that an anti-bullying culture is actively promoted (NMS 18.1) • ensure that the record of fire drills held in the home includes the time of day. (NMS 26.8) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC060743

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