SC 040491

SC040132 Unique reference number 3 February 2010 Inspection date Chris Passmore Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 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 5 Inspection Report: SC040132

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Brief description of the service

This registered children's home provides respite care for children with autism. At any one time it provides regular, short-break care facilities for a maximum of four children, aged between five and 17 years. The service supports approximately 25 to 30 children in total. Children stay for varying lengths of time and frequency depending on their assessed needs. Most visit weekly, arriving after school and staying the night, before returning to their family after school the next day. Some stays are longer and can be at weekends or during the school holidays. Visits are regular so that children are familiar with the service and feel safe and secure.

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Summary

This was a short-notice interim inspection of the service against the key national minimum standards for staying safe and some of the key standards for organisation. The overall arrangements for the delivery of care continue to be good, providing children with individual care patterns and maintaining their safety whilst receiving respite care. The organisation and management of the home is good, providing staff with the support and guidance required to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people cared for. 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 three recommendations made in the last inspection report. These all related to recording practice. All have been acted on by the service and are considered to be fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The service continues to promote the welfare of children and safeguards them whilst in respite care. Children's needs are well known to staff who provide individually tailored approaches to respite care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff work together with parents, schools and other professionals to protect children and promote welfare. They are experienced in caring for children with complex individual needs and use praise to encourage positive behaviour. Responses to inappropriate behaviour are appropriate and usually low key.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sanctions are used infrequently and with the agreement of parents and there have been no instances requiring the use of physical restraints. Child protection and wider safeguarding issues are covered by appropriate policy and positive practice. Staff are vigilant concerning children's whereabouts whenever they are in the house or especially on trips away from the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The physical environment in which the service operates is well maintained and there are good arrangements in place for the safe recruitment of staff through the central recruitment team 4 of 5 Inspection Report: SC040132 and by the Registered Manager. A new boiler has been installed in the past year and is now due for an annual service.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has made improvements to identified areas of procedure resulting in clearer arrangements for staff supervision and internal monitoring. A new deputy manager is now in post and will be sharing some of the management responsibility for supervision and monitoring.

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Organisation

Staff continue to provide opportunities for children and young people to have new experiences, encourage them to enjoy their time in respite and ensure that all children have equal opportunities.

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Organisation

Samples of the children's personal records showed them to be appropriate to the type of care being received and to reflect the respite nature of their stays. Communication between the home, parents, schools and other professionals remains good and contributes to the continuity of care received and the identification of any changes to individual needs.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure new boiler is serviced annually (NMS 26.4) 5 of 5 Inspection Report: SC040132

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