Children's Home run by Adeza Care Homes Limited in Waltham Forest

SC032468 Unique reference number 16 February 2010 Inspection date Sharon Lewis Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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25 August 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: SC032468

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Brief description of the service

The organisation owns two children's homes within the locality. This home caters for an older age range with an emphasis on semi-independent living. The home is registered to provide support and accommodation to four children of either gender. These young people may have emotional, behavioural or learning disability needs or a mild mental disorder.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located in a residential area close to local shops and amenities. The property blends into the neighbourhood and is not identifiable as a children's home. Young people have their own lockable room with a fridge. Communal facilities include a conservatory lounge area and a garden. The home is able to meet the needs of young people of diverse cultures and faiths.

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Brief description of the service

The home is currently full. One young man was at home during the inspection. He expressed his satisfaction with the care provided.

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Summary

This interim inspection focused on the Staying Safe outcome area. Compliance with the action and recommendations from the last inspection was also examined. The home aims to care with excellence. Young people continue to benefit from a consistently good service. The home works exceptionally well with young people who present with challenging needs. The stable, professional, experienced staff team are able to build constructive relationships with young people, the aim being to raise their self esteem and encourage individual growth. Safety practices in the home are good. Staff undertake daily checks of the building. A recommendation is made to further improve practice. This relates to updating the fire risk assessment. 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 home was required to address one action. It was also suggested the home considers two recommendations, to further improve practice. The home has addressed all areas. The premises has been redecorated although the home was only required to repaint chipped doors and skirting boards. This provides a more pleasant environment for young people. Recommendations related to the service development plan and fire drill records. The whole staff team is currently contributing to the service development plan. Fire records are now more robust and consistently include the evacuation times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is not judged. This outcome area was judged to be good at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people live in a home that promotes their safety. The home succeeds in providing a secure and supportive environment. The organisation's principles of care includes preserving the dignity and celebrating the individuality of young people. The home operates on a 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032468 semi-independence model, therefore young people have good levels of privacy. Young people have keys for their rooms and their own telephone booth upstairs. Staff maintain confidentiality and securely store personal information. If staff have to search their rooms, appropriate guidelines are available. Young people state everything is 'fine' and appreciate having a stable base.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive encouragement to express any concerns in relation to their care. The home has an effective complaints procedure. Staff respond promptly to any grievances. If necessary they involve other professionals to resolve highlighted matters. The complaint procedure also offers young people a list of other individuals and agencies who can assist them. The home does not tolerate any form of bullying. There is a proactive approach to countering bullying. This includes discussing the topic at house meetings and on an individual basis. Posters are also on display in the home. Staff treat any incidents very seriously. Young people benefit from this cohesive approach, that promotes their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from the safeguarding arrangements. The home has strong links with the local authority. This relationship enables them to access safeguarding training, attend specific events and receive updates on good practice. Staff training is ongoing. There is regular child protection training and discussion of issues in team meetings. The induction programme also includes safeguarding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home works exceptionally well with young people. The home has a good reputation for meeting the needs of young people who have previously exhausted other provisions. The aim is to provide an environment that helps to stabilise the young person's behaviour. There is a culture of researching effective methods of managing challenging behaviours. The home rarely use sanctions or restraints. Staff focus on negotiating and discussing issues with young people. The aim is to guide and empower young people into making positive life choices. Currently there are no concerns regarding anti-social behaviour. Although young people may have unauthorised absences, staff follow an appropriate protocol and liaise with the necessary agencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live within a safe environment. Risk assessments highlight hazards relating to the fire safety and individual young people. The home has current certificates for the electric installation, gas safety, fire equipment, portable appliances and relevant insurance. Staff undertake weekly fire alarm and extinguisher tests. Young people participate in regular fire drills. Fire records are more robust. Staff now consistently record the time taken for each evacuation. The only issue relates to the fire risk assessment. It has not been reviewed. Staff, however, ensure the safety of the building by undertaking daily checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from a very experienced, professional staff team. Staff demonstrate a sincere commitment to the company and providing a high standard of care. The majority having worked at the home for approximately ten years. There has been no new staff appointments although there is a comprehensive recruitment procedure. On entering the home, all visitors sign a designated book. There are good arrangements to ensure the appropriate monitoring of all visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is not judged. This outcome area was judged to be good at the last inspection. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032468

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is not judged. This outcome area was judged to be good at the last inspection.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people live within a clean, comfortable environment. At the last inspection, this outcome area was satisfactory. The only concern related to the internal decoration. The refurbishment of the building is ongoing. Young people benefit from the redecoration programme. This includes repainting the walls, skirting boards, refilling of holes and covering graffiti.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. At the last inspection, this outcome area was judged to be good. To further improve practice a recommendation was made regarding the service development plan. This is currently in progress. Staff are collating information to discuss at the forthcoming away day. This event provides an opportunity to formally review the service and identify changes to improve their quality of care. This contributes to an evolving service which focuses on meeting the needs of young people.

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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): • review the fire risk assessment. (NMS 26.2) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC032468

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