Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

SC005066 Unique reference number 12 February 2010 Inspection date Elaine Cray Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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3 November 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 6 Inspection Report: SC005066

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for one young person, of either sex, between the age eight and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private company and is located in a residential area that has easy access to local facilities and public transport.

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Brief description of the service

The house has a lounge, kitchen and dining area on the ground floor. The young person’s bedroom and bathroom is on the first floor, where there is also a staff office. There is a front and rear garden.

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Summary

The home is currently not providing accommodation to children and young people. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes users’ views about the service. As this evidence is not available when there are no children and young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection; the purpose of which is to decide that should an admission be made the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard.

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Summary

The outcome groups relating to being healthy, staying safe and organisation are assessed and judged as satisfactory. The home is being maintained to a satisfactory standard and is ready for young people to move in. 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

The service was asked to provide a central record for the receipt, disposal and administration of medication to young people living at the home and this has been addressed. The service has also improved the recording format for the sanctions book by adding a section to record the names of staff, young people and others present when sanctions are given.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Arrangements to promote the health and meet the medical needs of young people are in place. The acting manager has a good knowledge and awareness of local agencies and health issues relating to the lifestyles of young people. There are clear procedures and recording formats for ascertaining, organising and monitoring young people’s health and medical needs. First aid training is available to staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a well-equipped kitchen and routines in the home for encouraging young people to discuss healthy eating and organise menus in weekly young people’s meetings. The placement care planning format and independence preparation programme in the home provide young people with the opportunity to take responsibility for shopping and cooking their own meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are policies and procedures in place regarding the safe handling and storage of medication with appropriate storage facilities available. There is an individual recording format for each 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005066 young person’s medication and a central record for all medication received, disposed of and administered to young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Arrangements to promote the safety and welfare of young people are in place. There are policies and procedures regarding child protection, complaints, anti-bullying, behaviour management and unauthorised absence. Central records are kept for the recording of complaints, restraints, sanctions and unauthorised absence. The current format for recording in the sanctions book requires the name of the staff issuing a sanction and includes a section for the names of other staff, young people or others present when sanctions are given. The home has clear policies and procedures regarding the recruitment of staff, which are in line with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and national minimum standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Safeguarding children training is provided for staff. The home has a written behaviour management policy and training in behaviour management and physical intervention is available to staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are processes to promote, maintain and monitor health and safety in the home. There are generic risk assessment documents in the home. The acting manager states assessment and management of the risks presented by young people are documented and implemented on admission and regularly reviewed. Whilst there are no young people or staff living or working at the home, weekly visits are made to the home. There are routine fire safety and security checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Locks are fitted on bedroom doors and the bathroom and keys are available to young people in order to promote their privacy. The young people’s guide provides information about their rights to complain and be safe from bullying.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home’s Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide provide accurate information about the home.

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Organisation

The manager states that staffing is arranged according to the needs of the young people and the home's Statement of Purpose. When young people are transferred to the home from another service within the organisation, then staff will transfer with the young person to the home. There are various risk assessments regarding lone working and taking young people on activities in order to facilitate staffing arrangements in the house. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005066 Training is available to staff and an annual training plan is centrally managed by the organisation. There are arrangements to provide staff with induction training and core training such as child protection, first aid and behaviour management.

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Organisation

Monitoring processes for the running of the home and reviewing the quality of care for young people are in place. The acting manager completes monthly Regulation 34 checks and the responsible individual delegates Regulation 33 visits to managers and assistant managers from other homes within the company and these are carried out on a monthly basis. There are secure storage facilities for young people’s files.

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC005066

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