Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Whinfell School Limited in Westmorland and Furness

SC066821 Unique reference number 24 November 2009 Inspection date Mick Earl Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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26 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: SC066821

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Brief description of the service

The school is an independent residential school registered with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) for nine boys between the ages of 11 and 19 years old. It is also registered as a children's home. It provides education and care for boys with autistic spectrum disorder and behavioural difficulties associated with language and communication. The school offers both 52 week and 38 week placements.

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Brief description of the service

The residential accommodation is on two sites. The main school is sited in a large Victorian semi detached house. The accommodation provided on this site has been registered as a children’s home to accommodate a total of five young people. It provides accommodation for young people in single bedrooms, all with hand washing facilities. There are separate bathing and showering facilities. The large dining room doubles up as a games room and can accommodate a pool table.

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Brief description of the service

A separate house on the other side of Kendal, provides accommodation for four young people aged between 16 and 18 years old.

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Brief description of the service

The school is situated on the edge of the town centre and young people on both sites have access to all the facilities this presents.

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Summary

At this full inspection all the key standards were inspected. The inspection also looked at the progress the service has made with the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. The inspection was unannounced.

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Summary

National minimum standards were sampled in all of the outcome areas and identified the home has good strengths. These are in supporting young people's health care and nutrition, providing individual support, providing a physically safe home, privacy and confidentiality for young people and providing clear individual planning.

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Summary

There are areas for improvement and these include staff training, provision of staff supervision, the development of an in-house safeguarding procedure, a risk assessment of the times, places and circumstances when bullying may occur and frequency of fire alarm tests. 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

There were no actions at the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The home has good policies and procedures in place to provide health care to young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

The records show that young people's health needs are well met and when appropriate they are given advice, guidance and support on a range of health matters. This helps the young people to stay healthy. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC066821 Health planning to meet young people's assessed health needs is good. Young people's records show health plans and health assessments are in place and record how basic health care needs have been met such as doctors, dental and opticians appointments. Information is available to young people when appropriate, on matters such as healthy eating, the dangers and risks associated with smoking, alcohol and substance misuse and sexual health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff have received training in the safe administration of medication, first aid training and specialist training in connection with young people's individual needs is available as required so young people are better protected if they have an accident or are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Systems for safe handling and administration of medication are in place. The systems work effectively and the records are able to be audited to check that the right amounts of medication are still available in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's information is kept securely in the home and they have access to a telephone to make and receive private calls. Young people are treated with dignity and respect and the home provides young people and others with information on how to complain if they are not happy with the service.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has access to an up to date copy of the Local Children's Safeguarding Board procedures and the members of staff know what their responsibilities are and how to protect young people. However there is not an up-to-date safeguarding procedure in place that has been sent to the Local Safeguarding Children Board for comment. Members of staff are trained in safeguarding procedures and know how to manage issues to do with bullying. This helps to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The behaviour of young people is managed well. Staff encourage and support young people to maintain socially acceptable behaviour and give positive messages to reinforce this. There are clear procedures and guidance for members of staff regarding how they should manage the behaviour of young people and they have received training in the safe restraint and holding of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records show that the weekly fire alarm tests are not always carried out at the right times. Checks on fire equipment and fire drills are carried out at the right times helping to keep young people safe from the risk of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has good recruitment and selection processes in place. Criminal Records Bureau checks are carried out on prospective staff, before they work in the home. Each member of staff is asked to provide references from previous employers or those that know them and proof of their identity. One staff file did not hold a reference from the previous employer. All checks need to be completed to help to show that young people are looked after by suitable members of staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC066821 Young people receive the individual guidance and support that they need. Each young person is allocated an individual worker, who takes responsibility for making sure that their identified needs are met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All of the young people living at the home, have placement in the school or local college and members of staff actively support, encourage and promote their achievements. This helps to promote the self esteem and life chances of young people. The individual needs of the young people living at the home are well met, by staff who provide high levels of individual support. Young people have access to educational materials, both at the home and via local community facilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home provides a range of equipment, books and toys and the young people are involved in regular trips, outings and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from having clear placement plans that set out how the home will meet their assessed needs. Staff encourage young people to give their views and their plans are updated regularly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each young person's key worker reviews their progress on a regular basis and statutory reviews take place at the right times. Young people's contact with friends and family is agreed at the start of the placement and monitored at their review. This helps to promote their social well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are clear procedures covering how staff should support young people when they move into, and out of the home. Staff make sure young people feel welcome and know what to expect. Young people are also encouraged to bring appropriate personal possessions with them so that they can personalise their rooms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff are good at encouraging the young people to give their views about how the home is run, and helping them to make decisions on matters that affect them. Staff take the views and opinions of young people seriously, and where possible and appropriate act upon them.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Staff are good at assisting young people to prepare for adulthood and they are actively involved in the planning, organisation and support of the young people's transition into adult care. Young people are encouraged to be involved with decisions about their lives and to help with the practical running of the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The young people receive appropriate allowances for personal items and clothing. Staff are good at encouraging the young people to plan their spending which helps them to develop budgeting skills.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The young people benefit from living in comfortable and homely accommodation. The general standard of repair, décor and furnishing is very good. Each young person has their own bedroom which they can personalise. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC066821

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The young people receive an individual service, designed to meet their personal needs and preferences. Staff have a good knowledge of the young people and they work hard to make sure their needs are being met at all times.

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Organisation

The home has an appropriate statement of purpose that provides information about how it operates. There is a young people’s guide that provides a useful introduction to the home. The home operates in line with its statement of purpose.

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Organisation

Young people receive the care and services they need from competent staff. The majority of members of staff are trained to a minimum National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People and they can also access short courses that cover specific needs of young people. The training records on some staff files could not confirm that they received at least six training days per year.

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Organisation

There are sufficient staff working in the home to provide a good quality of care to the young people and staff rotas have designated handover periods built into them. The records could not confirm that members of staff receive the right amount of formal supervision each month or that new staff were receiving fortnightly supervision. Also the registered manager of the home does not receive any formal professional supervision. This is needed, to confirm that the work of staff members is being monitored appropriately and that staff are looking after young people in a safe way.

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Organisation

The arrangements for the internal and external monitoring of the home and the care and welfare of the young people are good. The Registered Manager also monitors, compiles and discusses with directors the home’s records and statistics, to identify any patterns or issues requiring action. The management monthly visits and the reports are of a good quality however they do not fully record discussions with young people and staff that take place. There is a very good quality annual development plan for the home detailing the progress of the home and the plans for the future.

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Organisation

Young people’s case files are properly kept and the records of their needs, development and progress, reflects each young person’s individuality.

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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

7 December 2009 ensure tests of the fire alarm system occur at weekly intervals (Regulation 32) 21 December 2009 ensure that all staff, including new staff receive one to one formal supervision at the correct intervals (Regulation 27) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC066821 4 January 2010 ensure that suitable arrangements exist for the professional supervision of the Registered Manager (Regulation 27).

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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 there is an in-house safeguarding procedure specific to the home that has been sent to LSCB for comment (NMS 17) • ensure that there is a risk assessment in place of the times, places and circumstances when bullying may occur (NMS 18) • ensure that one night time fire drill is carried out in a 12 month period (NMS26) • ensure that all staff receive six paid days of training per year (NMS 31) • ensure that the reports for Regulation 33 visits include evidence of discussion with young people and staff members (NMS 32) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC066821

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