Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

SC044259 Unique reference number 3 November 2009 Inspection date Paul Taylor Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

9 December 2008 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC044259

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is an established children's home which can accommodate up to five young people aged between eight and 17 years old of both genders. The home's ethos is based on providing a caring and consistent environment, in which young people feel safe and secure. The home is a large detached house based in a residential area.

p.4

Summary

At this unannounced inspection all the key standards were assessed. The home has a new acting manager who has been appointed shortly before this inspection. The staff team work hard to ensure that the young people are provided with opportunities to participate in positive activities and in education. It is clear that they work hard to ensure that the young people feel cared for, respected and supported.

p.4

Summary

The home has been through a period of not having an established manager and this has affected some of the monitoring of systems which has led to some shortfalls in meeting regulations. Six actions and two recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection of this service three actions were made. Two relating to the recording and passing on of significant events to relevant agencies and ensuring the regularity of monitoring visits, have been responded to and met.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

One action relating to the monitoring of records under Schedule 6 has not yet been fully addressed. The new acting manager has instigated a system for this to occur.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made at the previous inspection. One was for the home to update the policy on physical intervention. This has been achieved. The other recommendation relates to achieving a ratio of 80% of the staff team to achieve National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Working With Children and Young People. The staff team is still actively working towards achieving this ratio.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are encouraged to pursue healthy lifestyles which include eating balanced diets and taking regular exercise. They are involved in menu planning and are made aware of the importance of eating healthily. Opportunities are provided for young people to develop their culinary skills, especially those preparing for independence. Young people spoke in positive terms about the quality of food on offer.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Staff closely monitor the health and wellbeing of each young person and every individual has a personal health plan that identifies their specific medical, dental or optical needs. Guidance, advice and support is provided in relation to health and social issues, including substance misuse, sexual health and smoking. The home has good contacts with the local Looked After 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259 Children Nurse and she provides guidance and advice where needed. Individual health needs that require specialist input and support are identified and put into place.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The arrangements for the storage and administration of medication are good. Medication is stored in an appropriate locked facility and dispensed by staff who have completed specific training.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The health needs of the young people are all known, met and promoted to a good standard by the staff.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. All confidential information relating to young people is stored securely in the office. Young people have their privacy respected. A clear protocol is in place with regard to room searches. Records are kept of when a room search is carried out. Staff knock before entering a young person's room.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff regularly seek out the views of young people on all aspects of their lives within the home so they can address any concerns and avoid them developing into complaints. The home has a written complaints policy and all young people are aware of it. Young people are confident in expressing their opinions. No complaints have been made since the last inspection.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All members of staff receive child protection training to ensure that they are up to date with child protection procedures. Additionally, they have access to local safeguarding procedures and the organisation's child protection policy, which are kept in the office. All members of staff are clear as to their obligations in the event that they have concerns about a young person's wellbeing.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clearly aware of the propensity of some young people to bully each other and as a consequence operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to bullying. Whilst bullying is not an issue in the home, members of staff are aware of when dynamics in the home are volatile or tense and ensure there is adequate supervision and support for the young people. All incidents are taken seriously and the young people concerned are supported in resolving their difficulties.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear procedure in place for the staff to follow in the event that a young person goes missing. Each young person has it recorded in their care plan as to what course of action will be pursued should they leave the home without permission or not return to the home at the agreed time. This protocol is also explained to the young people so that they understand what the consequences will be if they go missing.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a system in place which ensures that all relevant agencies are informed of events or incidents promptly.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people each have an individual behaviour support plan in place. Positive behaviour is encouraged and rewarded and there are consequences for negative behaviour. All sanctions are recorded appropriately in a book maintained for this purpose. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259 All members of staff are trained in the method of restraint used in the home. Records of restraint are on the whole, of a good standard and include an opportunity for the young people to debrief and discuss the incident.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear policy in place with regards to locking of doors to communal areas. This policy is not followed on a consistent basis by members of staff.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home aims to provide a safe and secure environment that is domestic rather than institutional in character. Risk assessments for both the home and activities are used to ensure the safety of all young people and staff. The fire alarm system is tested and evacuation exercises are carried out. The testing of some fire equipment and the reviewing of the fire risk assessment is not always completed in accordance with the home's policy. Access to the building is limited and all visitors have to report to staff on admission, produce identification and sign in.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation has a thorough recruitment process. This ensues that all the necessary checks required by regulation are carried out prior to a member of staff starting work.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The systems in place ensure that the safety of the young people is protected to a satisfactory standard.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The small size of the home means that all members of staff have a very good knowledge of each young person's needs. The physical, social and emotional needs of each individual are identified within their placement plans. The level of individual support given to the young people is of a good standard.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education for young people is given a high priority within the home. It is clear that education is highly valued by the staff team and a lot of effort is made to assist the young people in experiencing education as a positive part of their lives. The home strives to ensure that young people have access to appropriate education and training. The home's staff and teacher from the organisation's school liaise closely with teaching staff to support educational placements.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A varied range of activities are offered to the young people and these reflect their individual choices and preferences. Activities include football, fishing, swimming, bowling and shopping. Holidays are organised for the young people every year.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each young person has a detailed care plan. The care plans outline the aims of the placement and how each young person will be cared for on a daily basis. Any particular needs are identified as part of the assessment and review process. Care plans are reviewed and audited and reports record each young person's progress.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Reviews are held and attended by social workers, family members and the home's staff. Young people are encouraged to attend their reviews. The outcomes and recommendations arising out of reviews are incorporated in the care planning process. Not all recommendations from looked after children reviews are responded to promptly. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259 Contact arrangements with families and friends are clearly recorded in the young people's care plans. Any restrictions on contact are also known and recorded. The young people are able to visit friends and families. Good written records are maintained of any contacts and the staff collate this information and share it with others such as placing officers and social workers.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear written procedure in place which sets out a structure for introductions to the home in the event of a new admission. The process is explained in the home's Statement of Purpose. Young people are introduced to the staff before coming to the home and are provided with a handbook explaining what the home intends to provide for them. Visits then take place prior to a young person moving in. Young people are offered a good level of support when preparing to leave the home, especially those that are preparing for independence.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's views and opinions are encouraged by the staff. They have numerous opportunities to voice their feelings and opinions in both formal and informal settings. For example, each young person has sessions with their key worker and they have the opportunity to attend house meetings. They can also meet with the acting manager and have the opportunity to meet with senior members of staff from the organisation when they visit the home. The staff value and encourage the young people to have an input into the running of the home. The young people are afforded good opportunities to voice their opinions on matters, such as activities, menus, holidays and décor.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The interaction between the members of staff and young people is relaxed and warm. Young people feel they are listened to, respected and treated fairly.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home has a policy and guidance in place for the staff to follow when supporting young people to move on to independence or another placement. Staff are knowledgeable and sensitive to the fact that most young people will find the process of transition an anxious time and are aware that they will need increased support when this occurs. They assist young people as they approach adulthood and encourage them to engage in life skills programmes and take age appropriate responsibilities. Young people nearing the age of 16 are expected to engage in programmes aimed at equipping them for more independent living. This can include practical matters such as laundry, cooking and travelling on public transport, to more social issues such as relationships and peer group pressure.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The interior of the home is comfortably furnished. The young people are able to personalise their bedrooms with pictures and posters and their choice of soft furnishings. Some carpets in the young people rooms are in a poor condition. Damage to furniture and a cupboard door has not been repaired in one room. Overall the home is spacious and comfortable.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home has a Statement of Purpose which describes what it intends to achieve. The young people have access to a handbook which describes what they can expect when they live at the home. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259 Supervision of staff is not achieved on a regular basis. Members of staff report good teamwork and that the new acting manager is approachable and supportive.

p.7

Organisation

An extensive list of policies and procedures are available in the office. Job descriptions are in place and the members of staff receive them before they enter employment. Staff meetings occur and are used as an opportunity to discuss the welfare of the young people and any issues which are affecting them.

p.8

Organisation

Members of staff are offered a variety of training and this includes training in key areas such as child protection, behaviour management, first aid, food handling and health and safety. All members of staff have enrolled in National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Working With Children and Young People. The staff team have not reached a ratio of having 80% who have achieved this qualification. The staffing structure ensures that there are enough experienced members of staff to support and guide less experienced team members as well as temporary agency staff, to care for and support the young people.

p.8

Organisation

The home is monitored regularly by visits on a monthly basis by a senior manager from within the organisation. Reports are written as a result of these visits and they contain comments and recommendations for improvements. The new acting manager has started a system whereby issues identified under Schedule 6, such as restraints, complaints, accidents and incidents are monitored on a regular basis. This process has not been in place or followed rigorously prior to the acting manager's very recent appointment.

p.8

Organisation

The new acting manager is an experienced qualified manager who has previously been a registered manager at another children's home. She has yet to apply to Ofsted to become the registered manager of this home.

p.8

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. Most of the individual needs of the young people are understood by the staff team. Specific training especially with regard to meeting the needs of some minority groups, such as those from the travelling community, has not yet been provided.

p.8

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.

p.8

Due date Action Standard

31 December 2009 ensure that the home reponds to recommendations made at statutory reviews (Regualtion 12 (4) (b) (1)) 30 November 2009 ensure that the locking of doors to communal areas only occurs when it is needed to ensure the safety and well being of the young people and the practice reflects the organisation's policy in this matter (Regulation 17 (1)) 31 December 2009 ensure that all areas of the home are well maintained and in good repair (Regulation 32 (d) and (e)) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259 30 November 2009 ensure that all members of staff receive regular supervision (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 29 January 2010 ensure that a manager is appointed to manage the home (Regulation 8 (1) ) 30 November 2009 ensure that the matters outlined in Schedule 6 are monitored on a regular basis. (Regulation 34 (1))

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the checking of fire equipment is carried out in line with the home's policy on this matter (NMS 26) • continue with progress already made to ensure that 80% of all care staff complete the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 award in Caring for Children. (NMS 29) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC044259

p.9