Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

SC043994 Unique reference number 28 January 2010 Inspection date Paula Eaton 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: SC043994

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Brief description of the service

This service is a residential special school for young people with severe learning disabilities and is run by a large independent organisation. The school accommodates up to 40 secondary school age young people of either sex, usually on a 52 week placement basis. Due to the length of the young people's stay at the school it is required to be registered and regulated as a children's home under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Brief description of the service

The school is located in a small village. Although there are limited resources available close to the school, the school has access to a range of vehicles for transporting young people.

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Brief description of the service

The accommodation is provided in seven separate houses on the edge of the school site and each young person has their own bedroom. Each house has an office, kitchen, lounge/dining area and activity room as well as outdoor space for young people. There are also sufficient numbers of suitable bathroom facilities for young people.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection. All key national minimum standards under the outcome heading staying safe were examined during this inspection.

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Summary

Robust systems are in place for promoting and protecting the welfare of young people. Sound policies and procedures are in place to safeguard the young people who use the service and staff are clear about their responsibilities with regard to reporting concerns.

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Summary

Difficult behaviour is managed in a constructive and consistent manner in the best interests of young people. The health and safety of staff and young people is promoted and protected and robust staff recruitment procedures are in place and adhered to. 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 for improvement set at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The privacy and dignity of young people is respected and comprehensive guidelines are in place for supporting young people with personal care and moving and handling. Appropriate confidentiality policies and procedures are also in place and records are stored securely to prevent unauthorised access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints are dealt with promptly and satisfactorily within the service and the complaints procedure is produced in suitable formats for its intended audience. For example, the complaints procedure is produced in a suitable format for young people using pictures and symbols and 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC043994 is prominently displayed where young people can see it. There are low levels of complaints received about the service.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The Head of Care is the designated Safeguarding Officer for the service. The service continues to have a good working relationship with the local authority and safeguarding policies and procedures are robust. Staff are required to read and sign guidance that gives clear definitions of safeguarding issues and specifically outlines expectations with regard to reporting concerns. Comprehensive records are maintained for any safeguarding concerns reported and subsequent investigations that take place. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and this training is included as part of the induction programme for new staff. The Registered Manager maintains a central log of any safeguarding issues and monitors the progress of any investigation that is taking place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an appropriate anti-bullying policy in place and relationships between young people are closely monitored. Bullying is uncommon within the service and any difficulties that occur between young people are usually as a result of challenging behaviour and not as a result of bullying. Staffing levels are high and young people are supervised at all times which also limits opportunities for bullying. Staff receive anti-bullying training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Satisfactory systems are in place to minimise the likelihood of young people going missing and procedures are in place to ensure that prompt action is taken should a young person abscond. There are very few incidents of young people absconding as they are closely supervised as a result of their complex needs. Risk assessments are completed for individuals where there is a potential risk of a young person absconding and measures are put in place to minimise this risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive behaviour management support plans are developed for young people. These documents are written in a positive and constructive way and provide very clear guidance for staff on strategies

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to minimise difficult behaviour and how to appropriately respond to unacceptable behaviour. This is to ensure a consistent approach to behaviour management across the service that meets the individual needs of young people. There is a behaviour support team which liaises with support staff and monitors behaviour management records including those in relation to any physical intervention that is used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear policies and procedures in place to guide staff and training to enable safe physical intervention when a young person's behaviour poses a risk to themselves or others. Physical intervention training is provided for all staff as part of their induction programme prior to them working with young people. Sanctions are rarely imposed and if they are it is usually to diffuse a situation where a young person is exhibiting difficult behaviour and records for this are maintained in each house. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort to prevent harm. Appropriate incident records are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety policies and procedures are in place and available to staff. Checks relating to fire safety occur on a regular basis and separate records for these are maintained in each house. There are also detailed individual fire risk assessments in place for young people outlining any issues with regard to evacuation. However, fire drills are not always taking place on a regular 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC043994 basis within individual houses. Systems are in place to monitor health and safety throughout the service and identified issues are addressed promptly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust recruitment policies and procedures are in place to safeguard young people who use the service. All required checks take place prior to a new employee commencing work within the service. Employee records are kept in good order.

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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

26 February 2010 ensure that fire drills take place on a regular basis (Regulation 32(1)(e))

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC043994

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