Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

SC037454 Unique reference number 24 November 2009 Inspection date Paul Taylor 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 7 Inspection Report: SC037454

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Brief description of the service

This service is a five bedded mixed gender children's home. The service is currently aimed at young people between the ages of 12 and under 17 years old who have difficulty living within a family environment.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in a residential area close to all the amenities a town can offer. The house provides a comfortable living environment and is purpose built. The home is situated in a large residential estate which has a population which is multicultural. On the ground floor the home has communal rooms, a kitchen, offices and a games room. The first floor rooms consist of bedrooms and bathrooms.

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Summary

At this unannounced inspection the key standards in the areas of Staying Safe and Organisation were assessed. The home continues to provide an excellent standard of care to the young people. It is clear that the staff team values and encourages the young people to have a voice in how their home is run. The young people themselves feel that the staff treat them with respect and patience and are always willing to listen to them. The manager and staff team work well together and evaluate their practice to ensure that high standards are maintained.

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Summary

No actions or recommendations were made during this inspection. 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

At the last inspection it was recommended that a record be maintained of the date when complaints have been resolved. This practice is now in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The home has suitable policies and procedures in place relating to confidentiality. All confidential information is kept securely stored. A record is made when room searches occur and the young people are aware that this may happen if circumstances suggest it is necessary to protect their wellbeing. Telephone calls to social workers, family and friends can be made in private and the young people regularly receive credit for their mobile telephones.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The right of a young person to complain about their care in the home is made very clear to them on an ongoing basis. The young person's handbook gives clear guidance to the young people about who they can complain to and their contact details. Young people are confident to voice their opinions about any issues and have the opportunity to do this during house meetings, key work sessions and on an informal basis to the staff working on shift or to the manager. The young people feel very strongly that the staff listen to them and value their opinions. Complaints are addressed promptly and the results of any complaints thoroughly 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037454 recorded, including whether the complaint was founded, if the complainant was satisfied by the outcome, and the time taken to resolve the complaint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All members of staff receive child protection training. They have access to local safeguarding procedures and the organisation's child protection policy. They are clear as to their obligations in the event that they have concerns about a young person's wellbeing. Detailed records are maintained on any child protection concerns and how they have been pursued and resolved. The home's approach with regards to ensuring that any child protection matters are addressed is rigorous and involves close liaison with all agencies. The members of staff are very aware of the young people's vulnerability and their need to have a high level of alertness to ensure they have their safety and wellbeing protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team are very aware of dynamics within the home and any areas of conflict or tension between the young people. A clear message is imparted that bullying is not tolerated and staff will address any incidents promptly, giving the young people an opportunity to meet and resolve any incidents or issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear policy in place for the staff to follow in the event that a young person goes missing. Each young person has it clearly recorded in their care plan 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 strategy is also explained to the young people so that they understand what the consequences will be if they are absent without permission. The staff liaise with the police especially when there are young people who may persistently abscond or who are at risk if they are missing. Detailed records are kept whenever a young person who has been missing, has returned to the home. These include a 'debriefing' to discuss the reasons leading to the incident. The home's approach to managing this issue is robust and has resulted in a lessening of incidents of young people going missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a system whereby any significant incidents are reported to the relevant agencies promptly and efficiently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The behavioural needs of the young people living at the home are responded to in an individual, well planned and sensitive manner. All young people have detailed behaviour management plans, individual to their particular issues, which are tailored to address their personal anxieties, fears and frustrations. Staff respond appropriately to challenging and aggressive behaviour in a calm and measured fashion, clearly understanding the behaviour of the young people in their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Incidents of physical restraint are rare and reports written when physical control has been imposed meet the standard required. The record is checked by the manager and external monitoring manager, to ensure that the use of physical intervention is appropriate. All members of staff are trained in the method of restraint used in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Where sanctions are imposed, they are clearly recorded and endorsed by the manager. The young people report that the use of sanctions are fair and that they understand the consequences to any negative behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are completed relating to the premises and activities in which the young people partake. They are regularly reviewed and updated. Individual risk assessments are in 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037454 place with regards to their behaviour and potential vulnerability in certain situations, such as going missing, alcohol or drug misuse, or potential to be bullied.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular checks of the premises and safety equipment, such as fire alarms, are carried out. The fire risk assessment is reviewed regularly. Fire drills also occur on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation has a robust recruitment process which ensures that any prospective member of staff does not start work until all necessary checks have been completed. The young people have the opportunity to interview prospective members of staff, choosing their own questions and are then able to feedback their opinions to recruiting managers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The systems operated by the home combined with the alertness and commitment of the staff team ensures that the young people's safety and well-being is protected and promoted to an excellent standard.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The home's Statement of Purpose is up to date and accurately reflects what the home intends to achieve. There is a children's handbook, which explains what it is like to live in the home. The documents are checked on a regular basis.

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Organisation

All members of staff receive regular supervision and appraisals. Supervision is valued and the manager works very hard to ensure that all members of staff are appropriately supervised and supported. Additionally there are regular, well attended team meetings to discuss the running of the home and the young people's behaviour and progress. Policies and procedures are readily available to all members of staff.

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Organisation

Regular, relevant and varied training opportunities are given to the staff team. There is a rolling training program for National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. There is a thorough induction process which ensures that new members of staff are prepared for working in the home. The committed staff team has enough experience, qualifications and skills to offer excellent levels of support to the young people.

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Organisation

Aside from the manager's monitoring process of care provision the organisation ensures that the monthly Regulation 33 inspections are completed. Such inspection visits are carried out by an external manager and provide a clear and objective review of the standard of care. Where issues are identified a timescale of action is recorded with any matters being actively reviewed at the next inspection. Records of compliments and comments received from care professionals and other interested parties, such as social workers, teachers and young people themselves are 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037454 maintained. These records provide a very useful quality assurance format which is used to inform practice and team learning.

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Organisation

Records seen clearly evidence the progress and development of each young person placed at the setting. Young people's files are regularly audited and updated to ensure that they are useful and relevant working documents. All information is securely stored.

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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. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037454

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