Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

SC068046 Unique reference number 17 November 2009 Inspection date Roy Bega 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: SC068046

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Brief description of the service

A private organisation owns and operates this children's home. It is located on the outskirts of the New Forest within close proximity of community services. The organisation also has similar services located in the area.

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Brief description of the service

The setting supports and cares for a maximum of one young person of either sex between the ages of 14 and 18 years who has complex emotional behavioural and educational difficulties. The unit specialises in the care of more vulnerable individuals who may pose a specific risk to the community and/or themselves.

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Brief description of the service

Through various approaches the home seeks to enable young people in recognising and accepting responsibility of their inappropriate behaviours. It then encourages the development of more socially acceptable sustainable behaviours to improve young people's quality of life towards independence.

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Brief description of the service

The organisation has a team of specialist practitioners who provide professional support and guidance for care staff and young people.

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Brief description of the service

The organisation provides an approved behavioural approach to education known as the 'Award Scheme for Development and Accreditation Network' which follows the National Curriculum. Designated facilities are provided and appropriately trained staff are employed to deliver the scheme.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. One young person is currently being accommodated.

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Summary

There were no actions or recommendations raised resulting from the last or this inspection.

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Summary

Only the standards relating to the outcome group staying safe are assessed on this occasion.

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Summary

Young people benefit from the setting's excellent procedural guidance on privacy and confidentiality. Staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and receive annual training. Children and young people are appropriately safeguarded by the organisation's robust and stringent recruitment procedures. Through consistency, continuity and development of positive relationships the home promotes supporting individuals in developing self control and socially acceptable behaviour. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No actions or recommendations were raised resulting from the previous inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC068046

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people benefit from the setting's excellent procedural guidance on privacy and confidentiality. Staff respect children's and young people's privacy and confidentiality as is consistent with good parenting and in accordance with individual needs and requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of young people is effectively promoted within the home. Staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and receive annual training. Parents are provided with appropriate information regarding the setting's safeguarding protocols and procedures. No safeguarding issues have been raised subsequent to the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear culture in the home of staff listening to young people and encouraging them to raise any concerns. Detailed records are kept of complaints, investigations and outcomes. Records and discussions show there have not been any made since the last visit

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through consistency, continuity and development of positive relationships the home supports individuals in developing self control and socially acceptable behaviour. This creates an atmosphere where bullying is known to be unacceptable. Staff are vigilant about their relationships between themselves and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Detailed action plans are in place on how staff are to respond to young people being absent from the home and on trips without authority. When a young person does go missing they are well protected by prompt liaison with the police, parents where necessary and placing authority. Records and discussions show the incidents are minimal in the preceding six months. Specific risk assessments are completed before any external activity is undertaken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Excellent systems are in place for reporting any incident of significant event under regulation 30. These have been minimal over the past six months.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff show professionalism in assisting young people to develop socially acceptable behaviours. Behaviour management plans agreed with the young people, placing authorities and specialist practitioners are in place. Staff have extensive knowledge of the young people's needs and are versatile in supporting them. Weekly one to one sessions with their key worker enables young people opportunities to discuss behaviour related issues and any other matters of their choosing. Staff receive training in the use of acceptable de-escalation and restraint methods and practice on each other within the confines of fortnightly staff meetings. Incidents of unacceptable behaviour that occurred during the visit were managed calmly and effectively by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Specific risk assessments are in place for all activities and aspects of safety of the premises and grounds. There is a high awareness of fire safety among staff and young people. All staff and the young people are given fire safety instructions when they arrive. Fire drills are carried out within the required timescales and at different times of the day and night. Fire safety equipment is checked regularly and a detailed record kept.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are appropriately safeguarded by the organisation's robust and stringent recruitment procedures. Good quality internal monitoring and audits of recruitment files are undertaken to ensure that all appropriate checks within Schedule 2 children’s homes national minimum standards and regulations are sought prior to staff commencing employment. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC068046

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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: SC068046

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