Children's Home run by Wessex College Limited in Wiltshire

SC037596 Unique reference number 15 December 2009 Inspection date Gaynor Moorey Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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19 December 2008 Date of last 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 8 Inspection Report: SC037596

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Brief description of the service

The home is part of a larger organisation, it is registered to accommodate four young people (currently male) aged between 11 and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is situated in a rural area it is domestic in character and offers single room accommodation to each young person. The home has large gardens and is in a relatively isolated position. Public transport links are limited, however, staff have access to cars provided by the organisation and young people regularly participate in local community events and activities.

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection took place on a week day. The purpose of the inspection was to undertake a full review of all the key National Minimum Standards.

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Summary

An outstanding standard of care is provided with the support of the manager and an experienced staff team. The staff promote the safety of the young people, by following clear and comprehensive guidance, policies and procedures. The staff provide the young people with extremely good support and encourage the young people with their education and interests. Young people enjoy contact with family and friends and are given opportunities to express their opinions and make choices about their lives. The home is maintained to a good level providing a homely environment to live in. The staff are supported by an experienced manager and comprehensive systems that include regular supervision and training. 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

The home received no recommendation or actions at the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Staff encourage young people to eat a healthy diet that includes a wide choice of cultural meals which meets their individual dietary needs. Young people contribute to the choice of meals and participate in the preparation of food. Staff could be seen to be encouraging the young people to follow a healthy eating lifestyle. Young people identified that the staff always try to encourage healthy eating. Staff are given training to run a safe and clean kitchen in order to produce meals for the young people. The young people are clearly given full opportunities to prepare and cook their own meals as part of their independence plan. Information is available for the young people about healthy living and safe cooking practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health and welfare of the young people are carefully considered and actively promoted. Young people identified that they felt very well looked after when they felt ill. The placement and care plans contain excellent and clear comprehensive health information. Staff work very hard to consider the young person's health and welfare needs and adopt an holistic approach when creating care plans. The approach taken includes access to specific services and information linked to young people's specific needs such as benefits, sexual health, substance misuse, alcohol and smoking. The young people's mental and emotional health is seen as a priority and 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037596 as such the creation of a therapeutic and nurturing culture is central to the outstanding operation of the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff manage children's health needs, including medication, in a clear and comprehensive manner, with systems in place to safeguard their needs. All staff are trained in first aid. All medication is kept securely and records are accurate with a robust stock taking system. Clear medication systems are in place for the use of medication. Medical consents are available for emergency treatment, first aid, and the administration of medication

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff ensure that children's confidentiality and privacy is respected and safeguarded, by knocking on bedroom doors and making and receiving telephones calls in private. Confidential information relating to each young person is kept in an appropriate locked facility. All information is contained in the office/sleeping in room. Staff receive guidance on the confidentiality of information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures are in place to safeguard and promote the children's welfare. Due to effective communication, attentive staff, and close supervision, complaints are dealt with effectively and appropriately. Staff enable young people to make a complaints. By the use of one-to-one sessions and resident's meetings, staff are pro-active in seeking out the views and concerns of young people. Young people said they felt safe within the home and that the adults would always listen to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive child protection training within their induction programme and subsequent refresher courses during their employment in order to have clear insight into dealing with such issues. The home has a clear policy when dealing with child protection which includes up to date safeguarding guidance. There have been no child protection incidents since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operates a policy of zero tolerance toward bullying and the young people are made aware of the guidance on admission. If bullying does occur staff at the home deal with issues in a appropriate manner. The young people have behaviour management plans which looks at any potential issues related to bullying behaviour. The home has in place forums for young people talk on a one to one basis or as a group to look at any issues there maybe in the group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a policy and procedure for reporting young people who are absent without authority. Records of absence without authority show no increase in the number incidents since the last inspection. Staff are provided with clear guidance to address such situations with robust risk assessments in place to highlight any concerns the young people may pose to themselves or others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records examined indicated that serious incidents are reported as required by regulation. The manager confirmed that serious incidents are investigated and they also involve other agencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respond positively to acceptable behaviour. All sanctions are recorded in a dedicated book and also in the main file. The sanctions given are permissible and mainly relate to a loss of some pocket money. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037596 All staff receive training in the use of physical restraint. The home has a policy which offers guidance to staff in regard to behaviour management and restraint. The young people have risk assessments in place to look at any risky behaviour, these are contained within their behaviour management plans. Staff encourage acceptable behaviour and restraint records show that staff respond appropriately in managing these situations. Staff support young people with their behaviour through one to one sessions and daily group meetings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Areas of potential risk for the young people are assessed and the young people are safeguarded where possible from harm. The home has documentation related to risk assessing activities, holidays, fire risk and the environment. Records demonstrate that the home's fire alarm system is tested regularly and evacuation exercises carried out. Clear systems are in place and checks could be seen from outside agencies and from the home's monitoring systems.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff records seen at the head office for new staff employed since the last inspection indicate that staff are subject to a comprehensive recruitment process. Such records show that all necessary and required checks are completed prior to staff working with young people. Agency staff are vetted by their agency and details forwarded to the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive considerable individual support, guidance and care. Staff adopt an holistic approach and staff are imaginative and creative when looking at ways of providing nurturing therapeutic care. Very clear placement and care plans are in place, listing comprehensively the needs of each young person. The placement and care planning are built on a therapeutic ethos. Staff encourage and support young people to undertake appointments with outside agencies. The young person observed appeared to be at ease in the company of all the staff on duty.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff actively support children in their education. Young people attend both college and school. The young people's files contain Personal Education Plans. Each young person has clear records on file of their progress at school and the staff provide support to young people with their homework. One young person did say they would like to access the internet in the home as well as at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff facilitate access to activities and clubs within the community. Individual and group activities are specifically geared towards each young person's own choice this does vary according to the age group as the young people generally organise their own free time. Each activity is risk assessed to minimise the risk factor for each young person. Staff organise both trips and holidays for the young people. The home has its own transport that is used to support social and recreational activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The young people's needs are assessed prior to placement. Comprehensive documentation is kept on file to offer historical information on each young person. The young people have excellent placement and care plans that identify their health, physical, social, educational cultural and leisure needs. Staff review the progress of each young person and identify changes to meet individual needs. Documentation show placing authorities operate a reviewing process to chart the progress of the young people. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037596 A written admission procedure aims to help each young person settle in. The young people are provided with a guide on admission. Every effort is made by staff to ensure that arrivals and departures are planned. Staff spoken with indicate that preparation for leaving starts well in advance of an agreed date. Staff try to avoid emergency placements, every effort is made to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

minimise their impact when they do arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff encourage and facilitate young people to have appropriate contact with family and friends to retain ties with family and their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff consult young people on a daily basis and empower them, as far as it is possible, to consider their circumstances, behaviours, relationships and interactions. The young people are provided with forums both formally and informally to discuss any choices and views they may have. This can be with their key workers or with any staff member. Staff strive to create an inclusive, reflective and participatory environment that encourages consultation and discussion. This appears to be effectively balanced by realistic boundaries.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home has clear input into preparing young people for leaving the service. One young person at the home said the staff are helping then learn domestic chores, budgeting and cooking skills.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Records demonstrated that staff liaise closely with local authority After Care teams. Pathway plans were seen on file for the young people. Records demonstrated that transitional planning was implemented well in advance of proposed departures. Staff confirmed that many young people maintain contact with the home on leaving.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is in a very rural location. Records demonstrate that the home is subject to regular health and safety risk assessments and has up to date certification relating to gas, electrical and fire equipment.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is clean and tidy and provides each young person with both communal areas for group living and individualised private areas, such as their bedrooms, where they can spend time alone. Bedrooms are decorated to the young person's choice of colour, furniture and accessories. There are adequate bathroom and toilets facilities some of the bedrooms are en-suite. Sleeping-in staff have their own dedicated accommodation.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is tastefully decorated in a appropriate manner and includes a large lounge/dinning room. A rolling programme of renovation clear shows improvements to the home. The home has a wide range and eclectic mix of facilities and resources for recreational and creative activities. There is a well kept garden for the young people to spend time in. The home offers the young people a positive environment to live in, which is both comfortable and homely.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Staff ensure through practice and guidance that the rights of the young people are met and they do not face racism or discriminatory abuse. The young people have their cultural needs met by individualised care 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037596 planning and review processes which highlight and guide staff to meet the wishes of the young people themselves.

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Organisation

The management of the home is good with the long term manager providing a consistent and comprehensive approach. Young people benefit from having a core team which has remained stable with known staff being promoted. The statement of purpose provides adequate information about the home's services. The young people's guide is in an appropriate format. The young people are provided with a copy of the guide when they arrive at the home. The statement of purpose has been reviewed this year.

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Organisation

The young people benefit from a staff team that is of a mixed gender together with a balance of youth and maturity. The staff are provided with an extensive mix of training including child protection, team teach, health and safety, fire safety, as well as qualifications and training, specifically geared towards those young people placed at the home. A majority of the staff have completed national vocational qualifications. The young people also benefit from a staff team who are supported and supervised.

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Organisation

External monitoring of the home's systems and practices occurs on a monthly basis with reports being kept in hard copy. The manager responds to findings and monitors practices to ensure standards are maintained.

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Organisation

Good systems are in place to monitor the daily lives of the young people living in the home. Young people's files are maintained and organised and kept securely in the staff office.

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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. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037596

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