Children's Home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

SC059717 Unique reference number 8 December 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 7 Inspection Report: SC059717

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Brief description of the service

The home is a family style house situated near to the centre of a small city. It is one of four settings in the area owned and managed by a national child care agency. There are close operational links with the organisation's fostering service and school. The house was originally two semi detached properties that have been converted into one home. The ground floor communal areas include two lounges, a large play/computer room, a laundry area and a kitchen dining room. All the bedrooms are single, and there is an enclosed rear garden.

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Brief description of the service

The home currently accommodates girls only, and provides short term and long term placements. It encourages the development of more socially acceptable sustainable behaviours to improve young people's quality of life towards independence. A registered psychotherapist works closely with the staff team to advise and assist on managing and understanding the young people's emotional well being and behaviours. Five young people currently live in the home and all were present for some of the inspection.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection where all key standards for staying safe are inspected.

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Summary

The one action point and five recommendations raised from the previous inspection are also inspected and assessed as being met. There are no action points or recommendations raised resulting from this inspection.

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Summary

Young people benefit from the setting's procedural guidance on privacy and confidentiality. Staff have good 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. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin and promote good practice in relation to safety within the home. 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

Known risks presented by young people are detailed in placement plans. Staff are provided with guidance and detailed information on how to minimise risks and manage unacceptable behaviour.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The electrical wiring and electrical equipment have been tested. Fire safety equipment is being checked regularly and a detailed record kept.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Ample opportunities are available for young people to engage in leisure activities of their choosing.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people are actively encouraged to make and sustain friendships outside of the home. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059717 Placement plans include sufficient detail regarding young people's needs regarding daily care, health, welfare, education and contact arrangements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people are involved in decisions about the running of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's wish for privacy and confidentiality is respected by staff as is consistent with good parenting. Staff have a high regard for the privacy of young people and ensure information is confidentially handled. Young people confirm staff respect their space and only discuss personal matters in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear culture in the home of listening to young people. Young people benefit from the organisation's complaint procedure, inclusive environment and feel enabled to raise any concerns they may have.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from the organisation's robust safeguarding policy and procedures. Staff have a good understanding of the procedures to be followed and receive annual training. Discussions with young people show they feel safe and are aware of what action to take if they have any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual plans are in place for each young person in the event of them becoming absent without authority. They detail the action to be taken, including time-scales and specific people to notify. Since the last inspection occurrences have been minimal and in the preceding three months prior to this inspection there have not been any.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation provide excellent procedural guidance for staff and information for young people regarding anti bullying. Management and staff are proactive in creating an atmosphere where bullying is known to be unacceptable. During the visit staff de-escalated incidents of unrest amongst the young people in a cohesive and professional approach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home specialises in providing residential care for young people who have severe psychological, emotional and related behaviour disorders. Specialist staff are employed by the organisation to support the home in meeting the needs of the young people. There are also excellent working relationships with external specialist agencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It is the home's policy to assist young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. This was seen to put in practice during the visit. Behaviour management plans agreed with young people and placing authorities are in situ. Known risks presented by young people are detailed in placement plans. Staff are also provided with guidance and detailed information on how to minimise risks and manage unacceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Weekly one to one sessions with key workers provide ongoing opportunities to discuss behaviour related issues. Young people are also encouraged to converse with staff informally during planned activities and free time. Observations discussions and records seen show positive changes in the behaviour and attitudes of the young people. Staff receive annual training in 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059717 the use of acceptable de-escalation and positive handling methods. Since the last inspection there has been a marked decrease in the use of positive handling and none in the preceding three months of this inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a culture within the home where safety is maintained as a high priority. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin and promote good practice in relation to safety. There are established systems for ensuring a safe environment is provided for young people. In meeting a recommendation from the last inspection the electrical wiring and electrical equipment have been tested. All staff receive health and safety training. Young people are given practical advice in relation to safety. Risk assessments for the environment and activities are reviewed and revised as necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a high awareness of fire safety among staff and young people. All staff and 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.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Ample opportunities are available for young people to engage in leisure activities of their choosing and they are encouraged to make and sustain friendships outside the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Placement plans include sufficient detail regarding young peoples needs regarding daily care, health, welfare, education and contact arrangements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are involved in decisions about the running of the home. Prompt action is taken to address any appropriate requests they make about possible changes within the home.

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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. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059717

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059717

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