Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

SC059221 Unique reference number 27 January 2010 Inspection date Maire Atherton 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 6 Inspection Report: SC059221

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Brief description of the service

The home is a four bedroom detached property situated in a quiet location. Public transport is accessible. The home is well situated for all amenities as well as local schools.

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Brief description of the service

The home's Statement of Purpose notes that, 'The home provides care and accommodation for three young people aged 12 years to 16 years for either short or long-term placements. The aim is to provide a safe, secure environment where young people can feel safe and secure whilst respecting each other and those working with them'.

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Brief description of the service

The home has a comprehensive Statement of Purpose whilst a well presented young person's guide is given to each young person on admission to the home.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection focussed on the requirements made in the last report and the key standards under staying safe. In addition some of the key standards in positive contribution were inspected. At the time of this visit two young people are living in the home, one of whom spoke with the inspector.

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Summary

Young people are kept safe by a committed staff team. Young people benefit from a consistent approach to behaviour management. This is based on good relationships between staff and young people, who have a clear understanding of the circumstances in which different measures of control may be used.

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Summary

The two requirements and one recommendation in this report relate to records about care planning, the admission and discharge register and a policy on room searches.

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Summary

One young person described the home as 'probably the best place I've lived in'. 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 two requirements made as a result of the last inspection. The staff record contains the information required and the current staff group is easily identifiable. There are now individual care plans drawn up by the home in place and this is further commented on in the positive contribution section of this report.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people say 'staff respect privacy'. Staff achieve this by ensuring information is stored confidentially and discussions are held in private. There is a policy on room searches but this is not always adhered to, for example a room search may be undertaken when a young person is not present on the basis of a risk assessment. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC059221 Young people say that staff respond to low level issues as they arise so there has not been a reason to make a formal complaint. There are clear systems in place for young people to make a formal complaint if they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safeguarded by an experienced team with a good knowledge of child protection procedures. This is underpinned by regular and effective communication with placing authorities, highlighting concerns and identifying any action required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good awareness of the potential difficulties of the interactions between the young people. These are risk assessments in place in respect of bullying and interactions are well monitored to minimise the opportunities for bullying to occur. Any instances of bullying are managed appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff are in the process of reviewing their policy about young people who are absent from the home without consent. The review is taking into account new information received from the police authority. There are robust systems in place for monitoring absence, with clear distinction made between a young person being missing and absent without consent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff endeavour to manage the behaviour of the young people through the development of good relationships. Positive behaviour is also encouraged through an incentive scheme that gives a financial reward for targets achieved. Sanctions are also used in the home and young people report that these are fair and proportionate. There has been a significant increase in challenging behaviour in the home. This has been appropriately notified. When physical intervention is necessary staff use a recognised technique that they have received training in. The manager is unclear about the refresher training requirements of this technique. Young people say that restraint is only used to prevent injury and that staff 'always use words first'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety is well managed both on an individual basis through detailed and specific risk assessments and environmentally. Risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly, with action taken when required. Staff are trained in fire safety awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no new staff appointments since the last inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Staff are clear about the plans for each young person and describe the work that they are doing in support of these plans. Since the last inspection the manager has developed written in-house care plans for each young person. These have been written under the five Every Child Matters outcome headings. These plans describe what the aim is but not how the staff and young person are to work together to achieve the aim. There is no evidence that the young people have been involved in developing the care plan. The home accommodates young people on an emergency basis and there is not a local authority care plan in place for each young person. The written plans do not contain the detailed, specific and up to date knowledge that staff outline verbally. The admission and discharge book is not up to date and does not contain all the information required by the regulations. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC059221

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people say that they are well supported in maintaining contact with family and friends in accordance with their plans. One young person said 'they let us do things that normal teenagers do' and 'probably the best place I've lived in'

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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 staff receive refresher training on the physical intervention model used in the home as required (Children's Homes Regulations 2001 Regulation 27(4)(a)) 31 March 2010 ensure that the admission and discharge book contains all the information required and is kept up to date (Children's Homes Regulations 2001 Regulation 29(1) Schedule (4) (1))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the policy on room searches is comprehensive and reflects practice in the home (NMS 9.8) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC059221

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