Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

SC370703 Unique reference number 2 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: SC370703

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Brief description of the service

The home was registered in May 2008 and is a large detached purpose built service, which offers short breaks to a maximum of 22 children and young people aged between five and 18 years. The service is currently registered for 15 children and young people in three apartments (houses).

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Brief description of the service

The service is designed for children and young people with a learning disability and specifically for those on the autistic spectrum, who attend a specialist school, which is located on the same campus. The accommodation at the home is on two floors, accessible by both stairs and a lift and divided into four separate apartments, with each apartment offering services to children within a specific age range. Each apartment has a living room, kitchen-diner, bathroom and toilet facilities and the required number of individual bedrooms, and are appropriately furnished. Communal facilities include a laundry, small garden and transport. The service can access a range of facilities within a local specialist school, including outdoor play areas, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms, soft play areas and the art room. Staff are provided with appropriate facilities including office space, sleeping-in accommodation, separate toilets and a locker room.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection at which the key standards in staying safe and organisation were inspected. Consideration was also given to the action the home have taken in relation to the requirements and recommendation that were made following the last inspection. This is a good home where the individualised care of the young people continues to be commendable. Staff present as knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

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Summary

This inspection has resulted in three actions and three recommendations. The actions relate to the recording of sanctions; testing of portable electrical equipment and staff supervision. The recommendations relate to ensuring staff are familiar with the procedures to follow in the event a young person is absent without permission; carrying out weekly testing of fire alarms; and ensuring at least 80% of staff have achieved a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3. 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

The last inspection resulted in two requirements raised as actions and one recommendation. The requirements related to the updating of the complaints procedure and the safeguarding policy being revised. Both of these have been actioned. The recommendation concerned updating the internal safeguarding policy so that it reflects all types of abuse. This has also been achieved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC370703 ach young person has their own bedroom and they are provided with a key if appropriate. Staff demonstrated a good awareness of the need to maintain the privacy and dignity of each individual young person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It was previously required that the home update the complaints procedure so that it identifies how complaints about the registered person should be made or dealt with. The procedure has been updated and staff are currently in the process of producing a number of different picture versions so as to make it more accessible to all the young people. There have not been any recorded complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Following the last inspection it was required that the home extend its safeguarding policy so that it refers to all kinds of abuse and not just physical abuse. This has been done. Staff stated that they receive regular safeguarding training. There is a whistle blowing policy in place, and staff show an acceptable awareness of what to do if they have concerns, including if they have concerns about the manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are appropriate policies in place regarding countering bullying. There have not been any recorded incidents. There are also appropriate policies in place relating to a child being absent without permission. Not all staff appeared to be familiar with the process to follow if this does occur. Senior staff stated that there had been just once incident recently, where a young person had learned the key code for an external door. Staff were able to catch up with the young person before they had gone very far.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The ethos of the home is to encourage positive reinforcement of good behaviour rather than take punitive action to poor behaviour. Sanctions are rarely imposed, largely because the young people would not fully understand the concept. A sanction log is being kept, however, not one entry referred to restraint and should not have been in this log, albeit it was also, appropriately, recorded in restraint log. The restraint log contained four entries subsequent to the last inspection. Two of these referred to the use of pain stimuli. This was discussed with a senior member of staff who stated that intention was not to cause pain but to cause a distraction. Further clarification was sought and provided, including from the training provider for staff. From that information, it did not appear that staff action was consistent with the training. A requirement has been made to this effect.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety documentation is well organised. Each young person has a variety of risk assessments, including ones for medical risks, environmental risks and general risks. Substances hazardous to health are usually stored in a secure area, however, one incident report indicated that this was not always the case. The incident report itself was insubstantial, and did not state that all appropriate action was taken although staff gave assurances that it was. Staff also commented that senior staff now monitor reports to ensure that they are of a suitable quality and contain all necessary information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's insurance is up to date as is the maintenance of gas appliances, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency lights. Fire drills are carried out regularly. Fire alarms are also tested regularly but not on a weekly basis. Testing of portable electrical equipment is overdue.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment of new staff is robust. Whilst it is largely handled by the authority's human resources department the home nevertheless maintains a file for each member of staff which contains 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC370703 copies of references, the criminal record bureau reference number, a copy of the application form, copies of identification and interview notes. Gaps in employment are explored.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. he promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff are attentive to the specific cultural, dietary, religious and care needs of the young people. Considerable effort is made to support each young person in a way that enables them to feel comfortable and at home.

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Organisation

There is a Statement of Purpose in place, which was examined at the last inspection, and deemed to meet the required standard. No significant changes have been made to it since.

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Organisation

The number of staff with an NVQ level 3 award is below the 80% recommended in the national minimum standards, however, there are 11 staff who are waiting to start the course. There is a structured management system in place. Each of the units has a team leader and seniors who can deputise in the absence of the manager.

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Organisation

Staffing levels are usually at a minimum of three per shift per unit. The levels are adapted to meet the varying needs of the young people. The home is still understaffed in terms of permanent staff and it does rely on bank cover. Recruitment is in progress although this was also the situation at the time of the previous inspection.

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Organisation

Staff commented that the training provided was good. One stated that in their four months in post they had been able to undergo training in safeguarding, equality and diversity, behaviour management and medication. They added that the induction was thorough, but they not received any formal supervision to date.

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Organisation

Regulation 33 visits are carried out, and reports written. Staff confirm that they are able to read the reports and said they see them as a valuable quality assurance tool. The team leader discussed the current focus of the home which is on the quality of recording. All paperwork now has to go via senior staff to be signed off so as to try to ensure consistency and quality.

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Organisation

Thee case file for one young person was examined. It contained good information and was well maintained. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC370703

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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

4 March 2010 ensure that the types of restraint practiced in the home are in keeping with Regulations and the training provided (Regulation 17) 31 March 2010 ensure that the testing of portable electrical equipment is carried out annually (Regulation 23) 31 March 2010 ensure that new staff receive regular formal supervision, and that this can be evidenced. (Regulation 27)

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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 all staff are familiar with the home's policy and procedure relating to children being absent without permission (NMS 19) • ensure fire alarms are tested on a weekly basis (NMS 26) • ensure that at least 80% of staff have obtained a National Vocational Qualification level 3 award. (NMS 29) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC370703

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