Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

SC358638 Unique reference number 11 February 2010 Inspection date Susan Mullin Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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14 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 6 Inspection Report: SC358638

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is part of a small organisation operated by a private company. The home is registered to care for one young person from the age of eight up to 17-years-old on admission, who suffers with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers opportunities for the young person to develop socially acceptable skills and gain an understanding of independence. The home is a semi-detached house in a residential area and close to local amenities. To the rear of the building is a small mature garden and there is limited parking spaces at the front.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. The outcome areas of being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation were not looked at during this inspection. Standards in relation to staying safe were inspected. At the time of the inspection one young person was living at the home.

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Summary

The home provides a good standard of care for young people. Staff work hard to keep young people safe, with young people's needs being central to work undertaken by staff.

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Summary

This judgement will be reviewed at the home's next full inspection when all key national minimum standards will be re-assessed. 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

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people live in a home where staff understand their role and responsibilities for keeping young people safe. Safeguarding procedures are in place, staff are trained and are aware of what to do if they are concerned about a young person's safety or protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected, as the home has clear guidelines on privacy and confidentiality, which are known and followed by staff. Staff do not enter young people's rooms without permission. Information held in respect of young people is stored in lockable facilities, which are only accessible to staff. There is guidance regarding the circumstances under which room searches can be carried out. Young people have access to a telephone, which allows private conversation when this is an agreed part of their placement plan.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to make a complaint if they have any concerns about their care and they are confident that the manager and staff listen to them and take appropriate action when necessary. Young people are able to seek support from an independent advocate if they 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC358638 require. Information regarding making a complaint is included in the children's guide. This indicates that the home take young people's concerns seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a caring and safe environment. Young people's welfare is protected by good staff awareness of safeguarding, anti-bullying and unauthorised absence procedures. The home has clear procedures for responding to child protection concerns and the staff have initial training in child protection, which is regularly updated. Staff take all appropriate action to keep young people safe, this includes increased supervision where it is believed that young people are vulnerable to harm. Staff work actively in the home to ensure that bullying does not happen. Young people are well educated about the detrimental effects bullying behaviours have. Unauthorised absences are well recorded with staff having clear protocols about informing the appropriate authorities. Staff have prepared profiles of the young people to share with the police to assist in locating young people if they are missing from the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home develops clear plans as to how to protect each young person. This is supported by risk assessment and behaviour management plans. Staff have received training in respect of managing young people's challenging behaviour and are able to diffuse difficult situations where necessary. Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour through discussions with staff on an individual basis and being provided with clear details of the home's rules and expectations of them when they are admitted to the home. A range of appropriate rewards and sanctions are used to reinforce positive behaviours. Sanctions, rewards and consequences are age and needs appropriate and reparation is encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home that provides physical safety and security with risks from young people's behaviour and environmental factors being well managed. Testing of emergency lighting, fire alarms and fire fighting equipment is taking place within appropriate timescales. Fire drills have taken place within the frequency required, including a night time evacuation.

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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: SC358638

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