Children's Home run by Anderida Adolescent Care Ltd in East Sussex

SC028526 Unique reference number 15 December 2009 Inspection date Liz Driver 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: SC028526

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Brief description of the service

This setting is registered to accommodate two young people aged between 11 and 18 years of age with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

This service is two terrace houses that have been joined together. On the ground floor there are two separate front doors allowing young people who live in the home to have their own entrance. Both of the terrace houses have three bedrooms situated on the first floors, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and dining area. There is a large shared garden at the back of the houses.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by an independent organisation.

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Summary

This interim inspection was unannounced taking place on a weekday. The one recommendation resulting from the last inspection was followed up and found to be met. No actions or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. Staying safe was addressed plus other national minimum standards in enjoying and achieving, economic wellbeing and organisation.

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Summary

Young people live in a home that is fully committed to ensuring they receive the best possible care. Robust policies and procedures support the day to day practice that is of a high standard. The Registered Manager is clearly effective and fully supported by the staff team. Clear boundaries are in place for the challenging behaviour that young people exhibit. An experienced and committed staff team ensures consistency of care for young people. Outcomes for young people are positive with real improvements seen, especially in behaviour management and education. Young people feel safe at the setting and fully protected by staff. The setting is currently undergoing redecoration and has had sound proofing installed to lessen the noise disturbance for neighbours. The management of the home continues to be proactive, consistent and positive. 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 the setting was asked to update their child protection and safe guarding policy to include reference to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and also the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA); this has been addressed.

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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 in the office. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028526 The young people are able to voice their opinions about the way they are treated and how they think the home is run. There is a clear complaints process which the young people are made aware of when they first come to the home. Any complaint made is acknowledged and a record kept on how it is resolved. Recent complaints made by neighbours regarding noise and anti social behaviour have been addressed quickly, effectively and with increasingly positive outcomes for the neighbours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All members of staff have attended training in child protection and are aware of what they need to do in the event that they have concerns about a young person's welfare. The organisation's child protection policy and procedure includes the role of the LADO and the role of the ISA. The staff work very hard to ensure that any child protection issues are resolved and maintain excellent levels of contact with other professionals to ensure that the young people are kept up to date with any developments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear policy in place with regards to bullying. The young people are made aware of this when they come to the home and any incidents between young people are discussed with them and if appropriate in a house meeting. The staff are very aware of group dynamics in the home and provide very high levels of support and supervision to ensure that the young people are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a very clear policy in place with regards to young people going missing. Individualised protocols ensure that the correct agencies are informed if a young person goes missing. Evidence shows that close contact is kept with other agencies, such as the police, and that the staff work very hard to support young people who may abscond. The home's monitoring and response to individual young people is excellent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has an extremely comprehensive behaviour management plan (BMP) in place which outlines what support they need and what may trigger distressed and challenging behaviour. Additionally, sanctions are also outlined in the BMP and these are known by the young people. Sanctions are clearly recorded and appropriate. The manager endorses the record to verify its accuracy and to ensure that the sanctions imposed are appropriate. All the staff have received training in the method of restraint used by the organisation which operates the home. Staff work very hard to engage young people in addressing their individual behaviours which have caused some distress to the local community. There has recently been an improvement in community relationships and young peoples behaviour. A recent decrease in the number of physical restraints carried out is evidence of the hard work put in and the level of engagement with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has updated risk assessments for all aspects of safety of the premises including fire and activities. There are regular fire drills carried out in the home that staff and young people participate in. Internal checks are carried out on a weekly, monthly or three monthly basis. The home has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation which owns the home has a robust recruitment process which ensures that all members of staff have the necessary checks carried out on them prior to commencing employment. This includes a criminal records bureau check.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028526 Education is clearly valued by the home and young people are given high levels of commitment and support to engage and maintain their placements at educational establishments. Attendance levels are very good with staff working hard to ensure all young people have access to appropriate educational establishments that will meet their needs. Daily school or college attendance is an established part of daily life at the home. The company have a registered school that young people can attend where tuition is on a one to one basis. Young people are assessed on their ability and educational needs to ensure a package is implemented which takes into account each individual's ability. Attendance levels are very good considering the poor levels achieved prior to arriving at the setting, in some cases long periods of non attendance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Extremely comprehensive care plans for young people address how support will be provided. The emphasis is on the individual needs of each young person. The monthly reports include comments on areas such as diet, behaviour, activities, education, health, and contacts. The detailed care planning enables the staff to ensure that the young people receive high levels of support and that specialist support from external professionals is available when needed. The thorough planning and sensitive support offered to the young people is of an excellent standard.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is comfortably furnished with clear signs of on going redecoration. The setting has recently installed sound proofing to communal areas and bedroom walls in response to concerns raised by neighbours around noise levels. The young people are able to choose the décor and can personalise their bedrooms with pictures and posters.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. There is very strong management of the home. The Registered Manager closely monitors all aspects of the home and is fully up to date with all areas. Feedback from young people and staff regarding the manager, her style and abilities, is excellent.

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Organisation

There are regular monitoring visits carried out by external managers. The reports are thorough and include comments on how the home is functioning and what needs to be improved. The manager maintains a written record of how she has responded to any recommendations made as a result of these visits. These reports are submitted to Ofsted without fail. It is clear that the management and oversight of the home is achieved to a very good standard.

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Organisation

The staff group are of a good gender and age mix. Staff are experienced, fully committed to the young people and receive excellent levels of support from the manager.

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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: SC028526

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028526

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