Children's Home run by McRae Residential Care Services Limited in Croydon

SC025813 Unique reference number 15 January 2010 Inspection date Caroline Wilson Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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1 October 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 6 Inspection Report: SC025813

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Brief description of the service

This home provides a service for young males from all communities who are in the process of preparing to move on to semi-independence, with a specific emphasis on providing culturally sensitive care to young black males. The service can cater for up to a maximum of eight young people, who each have their own bedroom and share the other communal facilities of the house. The service is located in an area that provides easy access to leisure, community and transport facilities. The managing company also operates a registered school, which is in an adjacent property, and a fostering unit. The younger people placed at the unit may have access to these additional services. This children’s unit also now provides an education resource at the unit called the Nurture Group.

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Summary

The was an interim unannounced inspection that focused on assessing whether the actions set at the last inspection were met as well as looking at key standards in the area of staying safe.

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Summary

Young people's files and other relevant documentation, including policies and procedures, were looked at in order to inform this inspection report. Young people did not take part, as they were at school.

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Summary

New staff have been employed since the last inspection. This is in order to ensure that there are sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of young people. The Registered Manager is now able to devote their time and energy to the overall management of the home to ensure its smooth running. In addition, there is a programme of works in place to improve the physical environment in which young people live. Staff have received intensive training in safeguarding by a reputable child protection organisation to enable them to respond appropriately to allegations or suspicions of abuse. 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

Improvements have been made in all the areas where actions were set at the last inspection. For instance, risk assessments are being or have been completed for all young people placed. Health care plans are now available and the complaints policy has been amended and includes the details of external organisations that young people may contact should they choose to do so.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Written health care plans are available which identify the physical, emotional and health needs of each young person. Appropriate action is taken to secure health services that are needed to meet these needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people enjoy healthy and nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs. Young people's wishes and feelings about meals provided are regularly sought. Meals provided take into account the individual, cultural needs of young people. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025813

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Checks are in place to ensure that there is careful vetting of staff to ensure that young people are prevented from being exposed to potential abusers. The recruitment process is excellent, and ensures that staff have the aptitude to competently safeguard and promote the welfare of young people. Although risks, where relevant, have been considered, written records of these are not available. Vetting procedures evidence that background checks have been undertaken to ensure that full and satisfactory information is available for staff. However, there was one instance where a full employment history was not available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have the opportunity to complain if they are unhappy about any aspect of living at the home. There are a number of forums in which this can take place. The Registered Manager has an open door policy in which young people can make comments or suggestions about the service provided; however, these are not recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Instances of young people going missing are rare. However, policies and procedures are in place which ensure that young people who are absent without authority or missing are protected in accordance with the relevant safeguarding reporting procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive high quality training in safeguarding which ensures that they respond appropriately to any allegations or suspicions of abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home creates an atmosphere where bullying is known to be unacceptable. Any reported incidences are dealt with appropriately and effectively and in accordance with policies and procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home which provides physical safety and security. Fire safety is taken seriously. Fire drills are conducted at least monthly and include a de-briefing session which provides the home with the opportunity to make any necessary improvements to this process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sanctions imposed are reasonable and usually relate to the loss or delay of a financial bonus, activity or pocket money. Sanctions are reviewed by the staff to monitor their effectiveness and to ensure that they are imposed in accordance with regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected by staff. The arrangements for them to make private telephone calls are convenient and practical.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Young people have their needs effectively and comprehensively assessed prior to and during their stay at the home. Care is taken to ensure that young people are appropriately placed having due regard to the admissions criteria and current group of young people. Young people have or are in the processing of having their risk assessments updated to ensure that the objectives of their placement plans are implemented on a daily basis. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025813

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Young people live in a well-designed home that has sufficient space to meet their needs. The home is in the process of going through some improvements to ensure that it provides young people with homely accommodation to meet their needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The young person's guide is produced in a format that is appropriate to the age and understanding of young people placed. This provides them with information about how the home operates and includes up-to-date details of how to make a complaint to Ofsted.

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Organisation

Good processes are in place to ensure that all relevant documentation is on file in which young people's needs and development are recorded to reflect their individuality.

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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

31 March 2010 ensure that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to all staff (Reg 26 (1) ) 31 March 2010 ensure that a written record is made of any complaints. (Reg 24 (5) )

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025813

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