Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Shropshire

SC372652 Unique reference number 20 January 2010 Inspection date Julian Parker Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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30 January 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: SC372652

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Brief description of the service

This service is a single occupancy children’s home specifically developed to offer accommodation and care to a young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties being prepared for independence. The semi-detached family style home is unobtrusively located on a residential estate in a large rural community. The home affords easy access to all major amenities, education and recreational facilities.

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Summary

This children's home is currently not providing accommodation or services to children and young people. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes users' views about the service. As this evidence is not fully available when there are no children and young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection, the purpose of which is to decide that should an admission be made, the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard. 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

On the previous inspection one recommendation only was made asking the Registered Manager to ensure that the home's Statement Of Purpose accurately represents the service being delivered by the children’s home. This has been achieved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. This home has established policies and procedures in place that would ensure that a young person is effectively safeguarded following their admission. Staffing levels are reviewed to ensure that they adequately address the needs of young people. The home is maintained in a safe condition by conducting regular checks on health and safety matters including fire precautionary measures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment follows sound company practice to ensure that staff are appropriately vetted and safe to work with children, although checks on staff files were not carried out on this inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All admissions to the home are planned and young people are met and consulted with as a part of this process. The likes and dislikes of young people are ascertained and the information gathered used to prepare their accommodation for initial visits and moving in. Staff are well 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC372652 briefed prior to a young person's admission by the Registered Manager to ensure that the process is child friendly and sensitive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The revised Statement of Purpose for the home includes the information prescribed by schedule 1 of the Children's Homes Regulations. Both the Statement of Purpose and the children's guide for the home have been updated with information about what how the home will provide care for young people.

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Organisation

The home provides an environment where young people can be practically supported with every aspect of their daily living by the home's team of competent and qualified staff. The experienced Registered Manager supports staff by providing regular supervision and access to professional training. Staff have attended all statutory training, have attained or are embarked upon National Vocational Training to help them provide care required to meet young people's identified care needs.

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Organisation

The home recognises the importance or promoting equality and diversity. This is identified by a continued improvement in the way the specific difficulties of former residents have been assessed and acted upon. The needs of children from different backgrounds and with minor disabilities have been successfully accommodated.

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Organisation

The complement of residential support staff, as identified by the home's Statement of Purpose can provide individualised care on a 2:1 ratio to young people. Identified shortfalls on the rota are covered by house staff or known staff from other homes in the organisation to reduce the potential for any disruption to the young person's care routine or levels of support.

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Organisation

The Registered Manager has established a clear process to regularly monitor the operational efficiency and quality of care being provided by the home. The content of the in-house monitoring is good even when the home is temporarily unoccupied. Monthly monitoring takes place through the use of a regulation 33 visitor to confirm that the home is operating within the scope of its Statement of Purpose. When resident, young people's feedback contributes to the content of the quality monitoring systems and practically influences many aspects of the service being provided. The ongoing and future operational needs of the home are outlined by an annual development plan that reflects the strong interplay between the needs of the resident young person and the organisation of the home.

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Organisation

The case files of resident young people are safely stored and easily accessible to the staff team. There are effective policies that promote the security and confidentiality of all personal records. Young people are made aware of the contents of their files and can request to read them. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC372652

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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: SC372652

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