Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

SC363268 Unique reference number 5 January 2010 Inspection date Roy Bega Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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12 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: SC363268

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Brief description of the service

A private company owns and operates this children's home. It is located in a village within close proximity of community services. The organisation also has similar services in the area.

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Brief description of the service

The setting accommodates a maximum of two young people of either sex between the ages of 12 and 17 years who have complex emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Through various approaches, the home seeks to enable young people with recognising and accepting responsibility for their inappropriate behaviours. It then encourages the development of more socially acceptable sustainable behaviours to improve young people's quality of life towards independence.

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Brief description of the service

The organisation employs a range of professional specialist staff in meeting young people's assessed needs and has well-established links with external supporting agencies.

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Brief description of the service

Young people have their own bedroom and designated bathroom facilities. Communal space comprises two lounges, a dining area and a spacious kitchen. The garden is mainly laid to lawn with seating areas.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection. Only the key standards relating to the outcome group staying safe are assessed on this occasion. There were no actions or recommendations raised resulting from the previous, or this, inspection.

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Summary

The home provides an excellent standard of care for young people who have complex needs. The staff team work very hard to ensure that care and support are delivered in a detailed and sensitive manner. The staff team are very well managed and systems operated in the home ensure that monitoring assesses the standard of care on a regular basis. 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

No actions or recommendations were raised resulting from the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people say staff respect them and value their rights to privacy and confidentiality. Young people's information is only discussed with them, and no other young person is allowed access to any details of their private lives. Staff knock on young people's doors before entering their rooms and contact with friends and family can be conducted in private. Staff are aware of the need to ensure young people have appropriate privacy and strive to achieve this. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC363268 Robust procedures are in place to address any complaint or representation made by a young person. All staff receive training in this important area and are aware of the need for detailed recording of any incident. Procedures are in place to ensure the complainant is kept informed of the process and conclusion of any concern. Young people are aware of their rights to make complaints and to seek external support if they wish. Weekly key worker and house meetings

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

provide both a private and an open forum for young people to express concerns. Young people say that they typically make a verbal complaint and see little reason to make a written record. Also if the matter was more important or a concern to them, they would make the complaint in writing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Well-managed safeguarding procedures are in place in this home. Practice is of a high standard and records are well maintained. The home’s safeguarding policies and guidance mirror that of the local authority and the home has a named safeguarding co-ordinator. In addition, the organisation maintains a call out service and out of hours team that can be called upon for advice and support. All staff receive mandatory and annual refresher training in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust anti-bullying procedures are in place to counter any discrimination or victimisation. Young people say bullying within the home is not a problem. If it does occur, staff are quick to deal with it. There is also the opportunity to talk things through with key workers and during weekly house meetings. The manager ensures staff maintain vigilance within the home and the topic forms part of open discussion in staff meetings. Any incidents are recorded and reported separately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who go missing or leave the home without permission are supported by well planned and effective responses. Procedures for staff include the searching, reporting, and recovery of any missing young person. Upon a young person's return, staff try and ascertain why the young person went missing and consider methods to counter any reoccurrence. Current young people say they have not felt the need to become absent without authority. If they did, they believe that staff will meet with them, sit down and talk things through.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Specialist staff employed by the organisation support the home in meeting the behavioural and emotional needs of young people. There are also excellent working relationships with external agencies. When young people behave in a negative manner, staff use agreed methods of behaviour management which may include approved sanctions. Recording of such events includes a consideration of the effectiveness of any control or sanction used. The manager oversees all methods of behaviour control, which are discussed in staff meetings. Young people say although they may not like the sanctions, they are fair and reasonable. Young people say they are always advised when their behaviour is unacceptable and given an opportunity to modify their conduct.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures are in place, of which staff have sound knowledge. Fire safety is robustly maintained in the home. Regular fire drills and evacuation take place. Risk assessments are comprehensive and in place for all key areas of the home. In addition, staff consider how young people’s known behaviour may impact on such risk. All checks on appliances and electrical installations are maintained within their statutory timescales. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC363268 Staff appointment records are well managed. In ensuring young people are appropriately safeguarded, required checks are completed prior to individuals commencing work. All visitors to the home are strictly monitored and required to sign in and out of the building.

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC363268

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