Children's Home run by Evolution Children Services Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

SC382595 Unique reference number 11 January 2010 Inspection date Leonard Hird 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: SC382595

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is a large, three-storey, double-fronted terraced property located in a quiet residential area of a major city. The home is registered to provide residential care services for up to five young people from 11 years old up to 17 years old. The main purpose of the home is to provide long-term care for young people and to help them prepare for independent living.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. It assessed the key national minimum standards in the outcome area of staying safe for young people as well as the action and recommendation made at the last inspection. Details of the home's responses to the action and recommendation made at the last inspection are included in the improvement section of this report.

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Summary

As this was an interim inspection, it did not assess all of the key national minimum standards. Consequently, there was not enough evidence to assess or amend the overall outcome judgement made at the previous inspection.

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Summary

There are good procedures and working practices in place at the home to ensure young people are well protected and kept safe at the home. Good systems of support are in place for young people to raise any concerns or issues they may have about their lives while living in the home. The privacy and dignity of young people is well respected by management and staff. Staff are well trained and supported by the management team at the home in all of these processes and the home is providing a good service. The overall quality rating is good. 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 the registered person was asked to take action in relation to aspects of staying safe and organisation. These included improving the methods of how staff recorded and monitored room searches as well as ensuring that over 80% of the staff team had the National Vocational Qualification or its equivalent for working with young people in a children's home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home's manager is ensuring all of the processes required regarding room searches by staff is being fully documented and recorded. Over 90% of the staff working at the home now have the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home’s policies, procedures and care practices ensure that members of staff fully respect the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the young people. All information relating to a young person's care plans and files is securely kept in the home’s office. Young people can access private telephones and rooms in the home if they wish to speak to people privately. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC382595 Information on how to complain is readily available in a variety of formats for young people to use at the home. Two complaints have been made since the last inspection and with the full involvement of the young people concerned they have been fully addressed. The home is ensuring that information is freely available for young people on how to access external advocacy and interpreting services in case they need the support of an independent person in making a complaint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the home's own safeguarding policy and procedure is in place and accessible to staff. Members of staff receive regular training in safeguarding and are fully aware of the relevant policy and reporting procedures. The manager liaises closely with the local authority and other agencies on any safeguarding issues involving the young people. The staff team confirmed that they are fully committed to protecting the young people from any form of abuse where ever it might occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are easily accessed countering of bullying and behavioural policies and procedures available for staff use. All of the staff receive regular training on how to counter bullying as well as behaviour management. Members of staff confirmed that they were very vigilant in their approach to addressing safeguarding, the countering of bullying and the behaviour of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has in place an appropriate policy and procedure regarding the absence of any young person without authority. The procedure is followed and absences recorded which helps to safeguard young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear expectations regarding standards of behaviour and in general, young people are responding positively to these. There are separate restraints and sanction books in place. The standard of recording is generally good; however, occasionally some entries in the sanctions book are inconsistent in content with staff failing to fully complete them, for example not signing the sanction book when entering a sanction into the book.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All members of staff, prior to working at the home, are subject to a robust recruitment and selection process undertaken by the company. This recruitment process is in accordance with the relevant regulations for people working with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular recorded fire, security and safety checks are undertaken in the home to ensure the safety of the young people. These checks are undertaken by a designated member of staff and in line with the home’s health and safety policy and procedures. Regular fire training and drills are taking place and young people with the assistance of the trained staff know what to do in case of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors to the home are required to provide evidence of identity and to sign the visitors’ book on arrival and departure. There are good systems in place to ensure the safety and well-being of young people living at the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC382595

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Members of staff are provided with good opportunities for training in caring for children and young people. Over 90% of the staff have achieved the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People award. Members of staff undertake regular core training in areas such as first aid, behaviour management and fire safety. Members of staff spoken with confirmed that they were receiving regular training and recorded supervision which provides them with support and professional guidance.

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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

31 March 2010 ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose.(regulation 17 (4))

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC382595

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