Children's Home run by Island Choices Ltd in Isle of Wight

SC399866 Unique reference number 21 December 2009 Inspection date David Coulter Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 September 2009 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 6 Inspection Report: SC399866

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Brief description of the service

Island Choices Ltd is a children's home registered for up to four young people, including those with learning difficulties. The home is situated in a coastal location on the Isle of Wight. The home is within walking distance of a range of amenities including shops, sports and leisure facilities. The aim of the service is to provide individualised care, within a homely environment. During their placements young people are helped to develop a range of social and life skills. All children are provided with their own rooms and can access a number of communal areas. The home has a pleasant secure garden at the rear of the property.

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Summary

The unannounced random inspection took place in the week during the Christmas holiday period. The focus of the inspection was to determine the outcomes for young people relating to staying safe. Only the national minimum standards relating to staying safe were examined. During the course of the inspection it was possible to meet with both staff and young people and to examine a range of records and documents.

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Summary

From the evidence obtained it is clear that staff have developed a range of strategies to ensure young people are kept safe. Young people were observed to be relaxed in their surroundings and at ease in the company of staff. Young people had no concerns or complaints about their care and spoke in positive terms about their lives within the home and the number of opportunities afforded them. 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

This was the first inspection of the home since the appointment of the new registered manager. The manager has made a number of significant changes to the way the home operates including the creation of a new post of deputy manager. A number of policies and procedures have been reviewed and updated and administrative systems improved. Staff have updated their training in a number of areas including child protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. While the home operates as a communal unit, each young person is treated as an individual with their own specific physical, social and emotional needs. The home accommodates three vulnerable young people who can, through their actions, put themselves at risk both within the home and the local community. Staff use risk assessments to identify areas of potential concern relating to each individual and develop strategies to address them. Staffing levels are adjusted in line with the changing needs of each young person. Staff receive regular training on child protection issues and are aware of their individual responsibilities in reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC399866 Staff aim to ensure that young people reside in a safe and secure environment. The home's fire alarm system is tested regularly and evacuation exercises carried out. Access to the building

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and garden is restricted and all visitors have to report to staff on admission, produce identity and sign in. It was noted that the home's water supply has not been subject to a safety test.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

One of the aims of the home is to help young people maximise their potential and acquire a range of knowledge and skills that will help them function more effectively in an adult world. There is a clear acknowledgement on the part of staff that young people need to develop the ability to risk assess situations themselves. Rather than avoid areas of potential risk, young people are provided with support and guidance in order to assist them. Staff encourage young people to think through the possible consequences of their actions. This approach has proved very successful and one of the current residents has acquired the self-confidence to travel independently using public transport. Staff aim to minimise risk by maintaining phone contact with young people if they are engaged in activities away from the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has developed appropriate policies and procedures for reporting young people who are absent without authority. Young people are made aware of the potential risks they could face if they leave the home without the knowledge or permission of staff. Staff have developed pen pictures and physical descriptions of each young person that can be relayed to police in the event of them not returning as arranged. There have been no incidents of young people absconding since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are accommodated in their own rooms that can be personalised. Both staff and young people are expected to respect each other's personal space. Confidential information relating to each young person is kept in a secure facility and all personal issues are discussed in private. Young people are afforded privacy when making and receiving personal phone calls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff aim to provide young people with clear and consistent boundaries about what are and are not acceptable social behaviours. Staff work closely with each young person to provide them with an insight into their behaviour and its possible impact on others. There is an expectation that young people will learn to assess their own behaviour. Staff reinforce positive behaviour by both praise and rewards, such as an increase in privileges. Staff use sanctions sparingly and young people are offered some form of reparation to make up for their misdemeanours. The home operate a policy of zero tolerance toward bullying and all young people are made aware of it on admission. Staff confirmed that bullying within the home is not a problem, however, all are aware of the vulnerability of the young people and how they could be subject to bullying in other settings. Risk assessments are widely used for activities outside

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of the home and staff often accompany young people if it is felt they could be vulnerable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are continuing to develop and refine their approach to managing challenging behaviour and have developed a range of diversionary techniques that can be used with specific individuals. While all staff have undertaken training in the use of physical interventions, they are only used if a young person is putting themselves or others at risk. There has only been one incident of physical intervention in the home's history. All incidents of challenging behaviour are analysed by staff and discussed with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people spoken with confirmed their views are regularly sought about all aspects of their lives within the home. Issues raised at weekly house meetings and through informal discussions are taken forward for consideration at staff meetings. This approach has proved successful in 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC399866 addressing the concerns of individual's before they develop into complaints. No complaints have been registered since the last inspection. The home has established good lines of communication with parents and placing authority social workers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home recruits staff through a well established recruitment process. This process requires all prospective staff to undertake a criminal records bureau check, provide references and undertake an interview. All new employees have to successfully complete a probationary period before assuming their full responsibilities. No new staff have been appointed sine the last inspection.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the home's water supply is subject to a water safety test. (NMS 26.1) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC399866

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