Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

SC039683 Unique reference number 27 January 2010 Inspection date Monica Farrimond 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: SC039683

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large, two storey, detached property, situated in a residential housing estate. The home has a small garden area and car parking area at the front and a larger garden area to the rear. The ground floor of the home consists of a large communal lounge, small conservatory area with games facilities, dining room, fully fitted kitchen, utilities room, staff office, Registered Manager's office, toilet facilities and a meeting room. The upper floor contains six single bedrooms for young people, two staff sleeping-in rooms with en-suite facilities and three bathrooms with bath, shower and toilet facilities. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that authority. The home can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender.

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Summary

This interim unannounced inspection looked at the progress the home has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to safeguarding training and the frequency of staff supervision. The manager has taken appropriate steps to meet the recommendations. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving and positive contribution were not looked at.

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Summary

The organisation and management of care at the home is good. Safeguarding the welfare of the young people is a high priority and staff work positively as a team. Young people enjoy living at the home and they are confident that staff will keep them safe. A notable feature is that unauthorised absences, and physical interventions are not a regular occurrence and this is a reflection on the positive caring environment evident at the home. 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 manager was asked to ensure that all staff received appropriate levels of formal supervision, and that safeguarding training be provided for all staff including ancillary staff. These two issues have been addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There are sound procedures and good care practices, which keeps young people safe in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving the dignity and privacy of young people and they have a very good understanding of safeguarding issues, which ensures that young people are protected from abuse. Training for staff is kept up to date and detailed policies and procedures guide them in their work. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC039683 The service has a well-developed complaints procedure and all complaints are responded to promptly. Young people know the complaints procedure and they are confident that any complaint will be taken seriously. There are complaints raised by the young people in their meetings and these are followed up appropriately by the manager and staff. This ensures that young people feel that their concerns and opinions are valued.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are quick to intervene, should a bullying situation arise and any issues relating to bullying are handled well, ensuring young people feel safe. Good staffing levels ensure that young people are well supervised. Individual risk assessments and placement plans allow staff to manage any concerns that might arise between young people. There is a clear protocol for staff to follow, in the event of an unauthorised absence, which ensures that young people are properly protected. Currently, there are no issues of young people being absent from the home without authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Relationships between young people and staff are good. Staff have a positive view of the young people they work with. They promote and reward positive behaviour and support young people well, so that they are protected from incidents developing into episodes of challenging behaviour. All staff are properly trained to diffuse difficult situations. Individual risk management and behaviour support plans clearly show how staff will work to promote behaviour that is positive and to lessen the risk of behaviour becoming challenging. Incidents of challenging behaviour are handled well. Restraints are only ever used as a last resort and in very clearly defined situations. The infrequency of such incidents indicates that the strategies that staff use work well and that young people benefit from the way in which they are cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are managed well, so that young people benefit from being cared for in an environment that is safe. Risk assessments on the environment and on activities, as well as on individual young people, are comprehensive and regularly reviewed so that information is kept up to date and accurate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's procedures for the recruitment and selection of staff are robust. All staff are thoroughly vetted before they are appointed, to ensure that they are safe to work with vulnerable children and young people.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is a positive commitment to ensure that all care staff are appropriately supervised in order to competently carry out their duties. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC039683

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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: SC039683

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