Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

SC040638 Unique reference number 12 January 2010 Inspection date Diane Thackrah 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: SC040638

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of eight local authority children's homes and caters for eight young people of either gender. The home supports children and young people whose main need is their emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The house is set in a residential area and is in easy walking distance of the local town centre and its amenities, which include a shopping centre, park and library. There are bus links near the home and there is a train station nearby.

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Brief description of the service

Six young people currently live in the home and two were spoken with during this inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection were all national minimum standards under the outcome area for staying safe were assessed.

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Summary

This is a home where in the main, there are good policies and procedures for ensuring that young people are safe. Privacy and confidentiality are respected, complaints are taken seriously, there is good behaviour management and safe staff recruitment practices. Health and safety is generally well managed however, the current system for checking the fire safety equipment does not fully promote the well-being of young people and staff. 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

No actions were made at the last inspection of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people have their privacy respected and information about them is handled confidentially. Staff are aware of the home's policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality and privacy and follow good practice in these areas. Young people may have a key to their bedroom. They have a responsibility to keep this safe. All bathrooms and toilets have locks and young people say that staff respect their privacy when entering bedrooms. There are suitable policies and procedures in place for dealing with complaints. No complaints have been made since the home was last inspected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of young people is promoted and they are protected from abuse. Staff are made aware of the home's policies and procedures for dealing with child protection in order to ensure that any allegation or suspicion of abuse is handled appropriately. All staff members receive training in child protection as part of their induction to the home. On-going training in child protection occurs for staff members and the young people are provided with advise and support 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC040638 regarding keeping themselves safe. Staff challenge any bullying that occurs in the home and aim to create an atmosphere where young people feel safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who are absent without authority are protected by the home's policies and procedures in this area. Staff members are clear about their responsibilities for reporting young people to the police and local authority should they not return to the home as agreed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is good behaviour management in the home with staff members supporting young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. There are clear care and behaviour management plans in place for young people which ensure that staff members understand the needs of young people and can respond to them appropriately. Young people think that they are generally treated fairly and listened to. There are regular house meetings which are facilitated in order to let young people have a say in how the home is run. Sanctions are used sparingly and fairly, as is restraint which is only used as a 'last option'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety is generally taken seriously to ensure that young people live in a home that provides them with physical security. Environmental risk assessments have taken place and these are kept up to date. Checks occur on the gas and electrical installations and on portable electrical appliances. There are regular fire drills that include staff members and young people. A company is contracted to carryout regular safety tests on the fire alarm, however, regular in-house fire alarm checks do not occur. This practice does not fully promote the well-being of young people and staff. There are good policies and procedures for staff recruitment that go some way to promoting the safety of young people. No new staff members have been employed to work in the home since the last inspection.

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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

12 February 2010 ensure that there are regular tests of the fire alarm. (Regulation 32 (1)(c)(iv)) 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC040638

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC040638

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