Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

SC367802 Unique reference number 23 March 2010 Inspection date Sarah Oldham 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 6 Inspection Report: SC367802

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Brief description of the service

The home offers care for children and young people aged between five and 17 years with physical and/or learning disabilities. The home forms part of the children's disability service and provides care for children that have been assessed as requiring this service.

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Brief description of the service

The bungalow is a purpose built facility, situated close to a town and provides accommodation for two children of either gender receiving shared or long term care. Bedrooms are single occupancy and there is a wet room with shower, toilet and electronic changing bed. Bathrooms and bedrooms have hoist equipment installed. Other facilities include a lounge with dining area, a fully fitted kitchen which is domestic in style and a conservatory.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated within the community and close to shops, restaurants, sports facilities and other recreational areas. The home has shared use of a minibus.

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Brief description of the service

The home is complemented by a secure, garden with play equipment.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the progress that the home has made in meeting the recommendations of the last inspection. These related to monthly staff meetings and qualifications of staff. In addition to this, the outcome area for staying safe was inspected. The home is providing outstanding outcomes for children and young people. There are effective systems in place for promoting safe working practices. This ensures that young people's safety is not compromised. 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 previous inspection there were two recommendations made in relation to monthly staff meetings and ensuring that 80% of staff holding a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. The management of the home ensure that staff meetings are held each month. Minutes of these meetings demonstrate that they are detailed and evidence that a range of topics are discussed; with the care and the support of the young people remaining a clear overall objective. Staff are trained to meet the specific needs of children well but they do not yet meet the standard relating to the NVQ level 3 training. The home continues to promote this training with 54% of staff having completed this and a further 31% of staff currently undertaking the training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people live in a safe and well managed environment. Staff are aware of the importance of ensuring that the privacy and dignity of the young people is promoted at all times. This includes the safe storage of confidential records and enabling young people to have a right to 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC367802 their privacy. Effective risk assessments are in place to promote this. Policy and procedures in place and the practice of staff in relation to assisting young people with personal care needs ensures that privacy and dignity is maintained. Staff have comprehensive knowledge about safeguarding and understand the complexities of working with vulnerable children and young people. This promotes the safety and well-being of young people. Clear behaviour management plans are in place. These inform staff how to safeguard against a range of behaviours that can present additional risks. The incidence of any physical intervention or sanctions is low. This is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

because staff have appropriate training and knowledge of the children they care for. However, an incident of a sanction made was not clearly recorded. This was identified in the manager's monthly monitoring and appropriate action was taken to address this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff view the young people as individuals and their practice ensures that they include them in all aspects of their needs. This includes clear procedures for a young person missing from home and in the event of a young person being bullied. There has been no incidence of a young person missing from home. Effective supervision by staff ensures that risks are effectively minimised. There has been no reported incidence of bullying. There is a children's charter in place in both pictorial and written format. Staff explain this to the young people and there is also an independent visitor to the home who sees the young people regularly and reports on the practice of staff in relation to advocacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff and children live in a safe environment because all relevant health and safety checks are carried out in a timely manner. The arrangements for the safe management of fire are equally robust. Clear information is provided to young people on what to do if there is a fire. This is in pictorial format and situated clearly within the home. The safe recruitment of staff and management of visitors to the home means that the risk of young people being exposed to unsafe people is reduced.

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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 a record is maintained of any sanction made (NMS 22.9) • ensure 80% of staff are qualified to National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People (NMS 29.5). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC367802

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