Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Suffolk

SC062651 Unique reference number 18 March 2010 Inspection date Gwen Buckley 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: SC062651

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties, aged between 10 and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached bungalow. The accommodation includes a lounge, an open-plan kitchen, dining area and single bedrooms for young people. The home provides education and a separate school building is located in the grounds. There is a garden for the young people to use at the rear of the house. The home is situated in a village in a rural area, approximately six miles from the nearest town. A village shop is within walking distance of the home.

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Brief description of the service

Four young people are currently living in the home and three of them participated in this inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection to review the previous recommendations and the staying safe outcome group in particular. There was nothing in this inspection that would indicate that the service delivery or provision had deteriorated since the last inspection. The remaining outcome groups were not inspected and only reflect the progress made in relation to any recommendations previously made.

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Summary

The practice in the home is child-focused, young people enjoy supportive relationships with staff, they spoke very well of the care received and feel safe. No actions or recommendations have been raised at this inspection. 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

Three recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. At the last inspection a recommendation was made to ensure a record is maintained of any changes to the food served from that on the menu. A system is now in place to ensure a record is kept of these changes should they occur. Mealtimes are social occasions with staff and young people sitting together and talking about the day so far and plans for the evening.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There is a good awareness of rights of young people to privacy and confidentiality. Good systems are in place to ensure records are securely stored and confidentially maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a good process in place to ensure young people have access to an adult who will advocate on their behalf. Young people stated they know how to complain, but do not feel they need to use the complaints system. Young people are confident their key worker and other staff will listen to them and address any issues they have. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062651 Staff are aware of their duties and responsibilities; there is a good level of working together with relevant professionals in the local authority child protection team and local police services to keep young people safe. Good systems are in place to report any unauthorised absence from the home. Records of unauthorised absence and other notifications are all monitored by the external regulation 33 visitor. At the last inspection the home was asked to improve the recording of actions staff take when young people go missing. Records are now maintained in sufficient

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staffing levels provide effective supervision and support to individual young people. Young people do not report bullying and say they feel safe and cared for and staff keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management emphasises the caring nurturing approach taken by the home and the focus is on praising and rewarding young people for achievement both in school and in the home. Young people are familiar with the schemes and how they operate, they were seen to be proud of themselves when praised at the time of the inspection. A particular strength of the home is the relationships between young people and staff and the emphasis on praising positive behaviour which enables staff to guide a young person in a positive manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Relationships between staff and young people was seen to be positive and professional, and the staff use good interpersonal skills, good humour and sensitivity to persuade young people to good effect. Young people are supported and helped to engage and interact effectively, building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Excellent systems are in place for evaluating and monitoring incidents and the use of sanctions. The manager is committed to ensuring the use of sanctions support young people to engage with staff and to help them tackle any inappropriate behaviour. The manager looks at trends and patterns to develop practice and ensure sanctions used are meaningful and effective for individual young people. Young people stated ‘I do not always like the sanctions but they are fair’ and they confirm restraint is only used to keep them safe or to stop excessive damage to property.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children live in a home that is clean and well decorated whilst providing physical safety and security. Risk assessments are in place regarding the building and individual young people’s wellbeing. The previous inspection highlighted the need for a night time fire drill to take place. Fire drills now take place during the day and at night time and young people spoken with were confident they knew what to do in the case of a fire alarm going of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is careful selection and vetting of new staff and a good level of checking and awareness of the whereabouts of visitors which helps towards keeping young people safe.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC062651

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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: SC062651

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