Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Southampton

SC389180 Unique reference number 12 January 2010 Inspection date David Coulter Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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18 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 7 Inspection Report: SC389180

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people aged 9 to 17 years with multiple disabilities that can include a learning disability, a physical disability and in some cases a sensory impairment. The home provides long-term placements. While the home consists of an older property, it has been extensively renovated and extended to meet the specialised needs of its residents, including those with mobility difficulties. All the young people are accommodated in single rooms on the ground floor. Other facilities include a specially designed garden/play area at the rear of the property. The home is situated in a residential area of the city and is well served by public transport. It is also accessible to a range of local amenities and services including a number of special schools.

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Summary

The focus of this unannounced inspection was to examine how the health needs of young people were being met and to determine if they were being kept safe. During the inspection evidence was obtained from undertaking discussions with a number of staff and an examination of a range of documents and records. A tour of the premises also provided an opportunity to assess the quality of the environment. It was also possible to observe young on their return from school and their interactions with staff.

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Summary

Staff promote the concept of 'healthy living' and young people are encouraged to eat healthily and opportunities are provided for regular exercise. The health and well-being of each young person is closely monitored on an on-going basis. The specific physical, social and emotional needs of each young person are clearly identified and clear guidance produced for staff on how best they can be met. There are well developed protocols for all health related tasks and staff have completed appropriate training. Arrangements for the storage and administration of medication are good and staff have completed a certified training course on the management of medication.

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Summary

Staff have developed a range of effective policies, procedures and working practices to keep young people safe. Risk assessments are extensively used to identify areas of potential concern. The views of young people are regularly sought about all aspects of their care. Staff liaise effectively with families and placing authorities and any concerns raised are dealt with immediately. Staff receive training in child protection issues and are aware of their personal responsibilities in keeping young people safe.

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Summary

Young people are accommodated within a comfortable domestic setting that is structurally sound in very good decorative order. All young people are provided with their own rooms that are specifically furnished to meet their needs and have access to equipment to increase their mobility. Individual differences are recognised and staff try to ensure that young people's cultural needs are appropriately addressed.

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Summary

Evidence indicates that the home is being efficiently managed and that the complex care needs of the current residents are being met by a group of experienced and well motivated staff. No actions or recommendations were identified during the inspection. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC389180

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff have completed a certified training course on the management of medication. A new system has been established to ensure that staff supervision is taking place at appropriate intervals.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The policies procedures and working practices relating to the administration of medication have been reviewed and updated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people continue to make progress and comments have been received from teaching staff who acknowledge the positive contribution residential care is making to individual's personal development.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The home accommodates many young people with complex health needs that require constant monitoring by staff. The health needs of each young person are clearly identified prior to admission. From the information obtained strategies are developed to ensure each individual's needs can be met during their placement. Staff receive training on medical interventions from health professionals. Protocols for all health related tasks are drawn up in respect of each individual. Due to the nature of their disabilities all the current residents require varying degrees of assistance to complete personal care tasks. Staff carry out such tasks sensitively. Consents for medical interventions are obtained from parents and when appropriate social workers. Young people are encouraged to remain fit and active by undertaking regular exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Over the last year the policies procedures and working practices relating to the administration of medication have been reviewed and updated. In the light of this a number of significant changes have been made including the introduction of a certified training course for all staff on the management of medication. There are good systems in place to ensure that medicines are stored and dispensed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff promote the concept of 'healthy living' and encourage young people to eat healthily. Fresh fruit and healthy snacks are available between meals. As young people are at school during the day, the homes main meal is in the evening. Evening meals are produced on the premises by a dedicated cook who uses fresh ingredients. Though the home operates a rolling menu it incorporates individual's personal preferences and special dietary needs. Young people can exercise choice over what they can eat. Evidence indicates that young people are provided with nutritious food of appropriate quantity and quality. A number of young people require assistance with eating and staff try to ensure that all assistance is given sensitively. Meals are social occasions and staff and young people eat together in a communal dining room. Young people are introduced to a range of foods from different cultures both in the home and in the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff aim to provide a warm and stimulating environment, in which young people can grow and develop, while ensuring they remain safe. The home operates within a risk management framework and is subject to regular checks and an annual health and safety audit. Risk 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC389180 assessments are extensively used to ensure the safety of young people and staff both within the home and while undertaking activities in the local community. All risk assessments are subject to regular review and updated in response to any incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a child protection policy and there are clear guidelines for staff on the reporting of any concerns to the area safeguarding team. All staff are introduced to the home's policies and procedures during their induction and undertake specific child protection training. Staff spoken with were aware of their personal responsibilities in regard to reporting any child protection concerns. The home has a well established policy and procedure for the recording and reporting of incidents. A written record is made of all serious incidents and all appropriate authorities, such as Ofsted and social services notified. No serious incidents have occurred since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

As the young people experience communication difficulties, staff deploy a range of techniques, including pictorial cards, to seek out their views of on all aspects of their lives within the home. Staff keep in regular contact with parents and placing authority social workers and are pro-active in addressing any worries before they develop into major concerns. The home has a written complaints policy and all young people, their parents and placing social workers are made aware of it on admission. No complaints have been made since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Given the complex physical, social and health needs of the current residents staffing levels are kept high. Each young person is provided with their own room that is designated as their 'personal space'. Young people can access their rooms at any time. Staff aim to strike a balance between providing appropriate privacy while making regular observations as non-intrusive as possible. Young people requiring assistance with personal care are treated dignity and respect. Such tasks are always carried out behind closed doors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management plans are used to provide for staff with guidance on how each individual can be helped to develop socially acceptable behaviour. There is a clear recognition on the part of staff that, due to their disabilities, many of the young people experience cognition difficulties. Staff use a range of communication techniques to ensure young people gain an understanding of what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A senior member of staff explained that none of the current residents display bullying behaviour. However, due to their complex disabilities a number of the young people experience involuntary actions that could result in another being hit. Staff are clearly aware of this and use risk assessments to identify any potential areas of concern. Staff reported that the interaction between young people is often inhibited due to their disabilities, communication difficulties and autistic traits. Though none of the current residents is capable of leaving the home unaccompanied the home has developed a detailed policy and procedure in the event of an individual going missing. All staff are made aware of the procedures during their induction training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide many opportunities for young people to develop new social and life skills by undertaking activities in a variety of settings including the local community. Meals out are particularly popular. Staff reinforce positive behaviour at every opportunity. Regular liaison with parents and teaching staff aims to ensure that there is a consistency in approach to behaviour management. While a number of sanctions exist, they are only used if it is felt a young person can comprehend the reason. Restraints are rarely used but staff will intervene 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC389180 to ensure young people do not hurt themselves or others. Each young person has an allocated key and co-worker that closely monitor their behaviour. The home does not hold residents meetings, however, the views of young people are regularly sought via one-to-one sessions. The behaviour and progress of each young person is discussed within staff meetings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is currently operating with a stable team of experienced and well motivated staff. New staff are recruited via a well established recruitment process that requires them to undertake an interview, agree to a series of checks and complete an initial training programme to determine their suitability for care work. They are only recruited if they complete the programme successfully. Many permanent staff have been recruited after working for some time as bank staff and are familiar with working practises within the home. Staff are recruited from across all sections of the community. All new staff have to complete a detailed induction programme and demonstrate their competence before assuming their full responsibilities.

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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. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC389180

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