Children's Home run by 4d Care Ltd in Cambridgeshire

SC064557 Unique reference number 7 January 2010 Inspection date Joanne Vyas Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 August 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 7 Inspection Report: SC064557

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Brief description of the service

This home is a large detached property located in a small village. It is registered to accommodate up to six young people aged between 12 and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is fully equipped for all aspects of daily living and provides sufficient space for group and separate activities. All young people have their own bedroom. There are two small classrooms in a building on the home’s grounds for the exclusive use of young people living in the home.

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Brief description of the service

Four young people currently live in this home, of which two were present.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection focussed on the progress the service has made with the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection as well as reviewing all the key standards under the outcome area of staying safe. Actions and recommendations related to improvements to medication, health and safety, placement planning, records of sanctions, staff training and monitoring of the home. The outcome areas; enjoying and achieving and economic wellbeing were not looked at during this inspection.

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Summary

Young people live in a homely environment, with high quality furnishings. Staff are concerned about keeping them safe and there are good health and safety procedures in place. Placement planning is comprehensive ensuring all staff have an in-depth knowledge of the young people and how to meet their needs and aspirations. There still remains some minor shortfalls. These relate to monitoring of the service by the Registered Manager and the regulation 33 visitor and the recording of sanctions in the central log. 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

There has been a significant drive towards improvement in order to meet the actions and recommendations from the previous inspection. Health and safety procedures have improved substantially. Young people are now protected by the safe handling and storage of food, robust fire procedures and the safe storage of cleaning chemicals. Any first aid treatment given to young people is now recorded. Placement plans for young people have been much improved and now clearly set out their assessed needs specifically with regard to their cultural, religious and dietary needs. The Registered Manager now completes a monitoring report every three months but does not sign the home's records at least monthly. The home has an independent visitor to complete regulation 33 monthly visits. However the report does not clearly reflect discussions with children, young people and staff to form an assessment of the standard of

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Improvements since the last inspection

care provided. The report also does not clarify whether daily logs, events and complaints are reviewed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The safe handling of medication is well managed in this home. Staff receive internal training on the home's procedures in the safe handling of medication. Currently none of the young people have any prescribed medication but homely remedies are used as necessary. Medication, 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC064557 when given, is accurately recorded, received and disposed of appropriately. The medication cupboard is secure. All accidents are recorded and first aid is given as appropriate. All staff are trained in first aid and renew their training as appropriate to ensure young people receive the appropriate treatment when they require it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The safety and rights of both staff and young people are protected. Staff are concerned about keeping young people safe and are competent in their knowledge of protecting them. Young people said they feel safe living at this home. Staff receive training on safeguarding children as part of their induction and then at regular intervals. All bullying is taken seriously and dealt with effectively. Young people said there is very little bullying and everyone is aware of the consequences for bullying and these take effect immediately. Staff vigilance and working practices adopted by the home go some way to reducing opportunities for bullying to occur. For example, staff work with young people to develop their understanding of the diversity of their community and the importance of tolerance of others. Discussion with young people supported this work takes place. The home has a written procedure for action when young

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

people are absent without authority. There are few incidents of absconding from the home. Young people are enabled by the procedures to return to the safety of the home in a supported manner. The privacy of young people is respected by staff. The living arrangements provide space where they can relax and easily find privacy away from others if they wish. Young people said staff knock on bedroom doors before entering. All records are kept confidentially. Young people's issues are not discussed openly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no concerns raised by parents and young people. However, opportunities exist for young people to air their concerns within the weekly house meetings or daily keyworker meetings as well as informally through daily contact with staff. Young people are fully aware of the complaints procedure and feel that staff listen to them and take them seriously. A member of staff has taken on the role of advocate for the young people to ensure they get a good service from external agencies and to support them at meetings such as reviews.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff view young people positively and there is a family atmosphere in the home. Staff are given training during their induction, which includes de-escalation techniques as well as physical intervention. Regular refreshers are provided for staff. Physical intervention is used as a last resort. There is a minimal amount of physical intervention carried out in this home as staff prefer to try to distract the young person, remove them from the situation and talk to them about what is upsetting them. Sanctions are applied fairly and appropriately. Young people believe the rules are fair. Staff effectively manage challenging behaviour in a calm and professional manner to ensure the safety of the young people who live in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by good vetting procedures for staff. Safety checks are completed and staff only commence employment when they have a satisfactory criminal records bureau (CRB) disclosure and two satisfactory references. Young people provide their views about all candidates who come for interview.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has comprehensive risk assessments for all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds including fire and young people’s behaviour and activities. These assessments have taken into account the daily activities in and outside the home. Fire drills are carried out as required and fire safety equipment is checked regularly and a detailed record kept. All visitors 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC064557 sign into the building and must show identification. Young people are protected by robust health and safety procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Staff are able to provide a high standard of care to young people and meet their individual needs with the knowledge and understanding they have of them. A new comprehensive placement plan has been introduced for each young person which provides an excellent overview of the short-term and long-term needs and aspirations of the young people living in the home. Any changes to the plans are effectively communicated to the team.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The majority of staff do not currently hold a National Vocational Qualification but they have been booked on a course due to commence in January 2010. This will ensure that young people are cared for by a qualified team of staff.

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Organisation

The monitoring of the home by the manager is not evidenced by regular signing of records although he does complete a report on the functions and practice of the home every three months. It is recognised, however, that the organisation employs an independent person to visit at least once a month to check how the home is run. However, this visitor does not clearly report on all the aspects mentioned in regulation 33. Although the impact on young people is presently minimal, the lack of such monitoring may adversely affect the safety and wellbeing of young people in the future.

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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

28 February 2010 ensure the person carrying out the visit under Regulation 33 interviews the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided, inspects the premises of the children's home, its daily log of events and records of any complaints and prepares a report on the conduct of the home. (Regulation 33) 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC064557

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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 the effectiveness of any sanction is recorded (NMS 22.10) • ensure there are systems in place to sign the home's records, as set out in schedule 6, at least once a month, to identify any patterns or issues requiring action. (NMS 33.1) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC064557

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