Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Kent LLP in Kent

SC385631 Unique reference number 5 March 2010 Inspection date Margaret Lynes 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 7 Inspection Report: SC385631

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is a newly built detached house in a semi-rural area. There is off-road parking in front of the home, and a garden to the rear. The home is registered to care for three young people from eight years to 17 years. There is single room accommodation for young people. The home is located close to local shops, a main line train station, and bus services.

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Summary

This was an interim inspection where the key standards in staying safe and organisation were inspected. Standards 12 and 13 in being healthy were also examined to the extent that compliance with previously made actions and recommendations was assessed. In this respect only, being healthy was judged to be good. The overall outcome of the inspection is satisfactory.

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Summary

This inspection has resulted in five requirements and one recommendation. The latter refers to staff supervision. The requirements relate to: the recording of restraint; to the sanctions policy; to health and safety; to staff recruitment; and to reports of Regulation 33 visits.

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Summary

All of the young people in residence contributed to the inspection. Comments from them were positive and included "this is the best place I have been in: I feel loved". The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous inspection resulted in three requirements and six recommendations. The former related to record keeping, medication and complaints. Action has been taken to rectify the shortfalls identified. The recommendations related to fire drills, staff recruitment, the involvement of the young people in their care plans, the statement of purpose, neighbourhood parking issues and health documentation. Again, the home has taken action to resolve these matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Each young person has a clear written health plan. In line with the previous recommendation, information received from placing authorities is now added to these plans. The young person's file examined was well presented and contained comprehensive information including signed parental agreement to emergency treatment; a good matrix showing when appointments are due such as those relating to looked after children medicals; dentist and optician appointments; and health reviews.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people's welfare is safeguarded by the home's policies and procedures for administering medication. It was identified at the last inspection that staff were not referring a young person back to their general practitioner if they persisted in refusing medication. Staff now take appropriate action in the event that a young person chooses not to take medication that is prescribed for them. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385631

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young peoples' privacy is respected and information about them is confidentially handled. Each young person has their own bedroom to which they have a key.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people said that they knew how to complain if they needed to, and that staff would usually deal with their complaints quickly. It was previously required that staff follow the complaints policy and keep appropriate written records. The complaints log was examined on this visit. It contained five entries since the last inspection. They were adequately recorded, with staff logging the complaint, the initial action, further action and the outcome.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are systems in place to promote the safety and welfare of the young people. The manager commented that there had not been any safeguarding incidents since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clear that bullying is unacceptable and that prompt steps will be taken to address it should it occur. Records showed that there had been a number of incidents, which staff had dealt with appropriately. Young people who are absent without authority are protected in accordance with written guidance. Staff stated that there have not been any such incidents since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been a notably high number of recorded restraints since the last inspection. The restraint log showed that a wide variety of descriptions had been used to record the restraints used, and there was a lack of clarity as to what method of intervention was actually in place in the home. Staff described the good progress they had made with a number of young people and how the level of restraint has significantly dropped over the past ten months. There was limited evidence demonstrating this, but the frequency of physical intervention remains surprisingly high.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The sanctions log is being satisfactorily maintained. One of the sanctions imposed since the start of the year was an inappropriate fine. The manager had noted this and drawn it to the attention of the member of staff concerned. The home's policy and procedure relating to appropriate sanctions wrongly states that a monetary sanction can be imposed in the event of serious misconduct.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people are enabled to live in a home which provides physical safety and security. Fire safety checks are up to date, as are checks of portable electrical equipment. Regular fire drills are carried out and risk assessments are in place. Evidence could not be provided to demonstrate that gas appliances are regularly checked or maintained. It was previously recommended that staff record the duration of fire drills: This is now being done.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It was previously recommended that the manager ensures recruitment records fully confirm the suitability of staff to work in the home. Three staff files were examined and with a few exceptions they contained all the required information. It could not be evidenced that all references were verified and the employment history on one file was incomplete. It was noted that all three of these staff had started work before the criminal record bureau checks had been returned. The manager said that they commenced their induction but did not start to work in the home until the checks had been received. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385631

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The young people are guided through what they can expect from the home through the information in the statement of purpose. This has been amended since the last inspection to include reference to the use of bedroom door alarms at night.

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Organisation

There are clear arrangements for staff to deputise in the absence of the manager. There is a deputy manager in post and four shift leaders. New staff are supported and receive regular supervision, albeit not fortnightly as stated in the national minimum standards.

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Organisation

Staff are sufficient in number to meet the needs of the young people. Staffing levels are good, the manager stated that there is always at least one member of staff for each young person, sometimes more depending on the needs of the young people. New staff stated that they felt supported, and that they received a thorough induction. They were expecting to commence some of the provider's 'core' training courses in the near future, including training in safeguarding, restraint, first aid and health and safety.

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Organisation

The care of the young people accommodated is monitored monthly through the Regulation 33 visitor. Reports of most of these visits are being sent to Ofsted. They are comprehensive and list areas of concern and for improvement.

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Organisation

The young people's needs', development and progress are recorded. The young person's file examined was well organised and contained detailed information. It was previously recommended that staff evidence that the young people are involved in their care planning. This has been complied with.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. The manager commented that they try to provide individualised care taking into account each young person's needs' regarding religion, culture and heritage. Where necessary, advice and input will be sought from young peoples parents, church seniors or other relevant sources.

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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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Due date Action Standard

6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385631 5 March 2010 ensure that staff accurately record any episodes of restraint (Regulation 17) 31 March 2010 ensure that the home's sanctions include only permissible consequences (Regulation 17) 31 March 2010 ensure that gas appliances are regularly maintained and certification of it retained (Regulation 23) 31 March 2010 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information required for safe recruitment (Regulation 26) 31 March 2010 ensure a copy of each monthly Regulation 33 visit report is sent to Ofsted. (Regulation 33)

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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 new staff receive formal supervision every two weeks during the first six months of employment. (NMS 28) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC385631

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