Children's Home run by Action for Children in Surrey

SC013743 Unique reference number 4 February 2010 Inspection date Cheryl Carter 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: SC013743

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Brief description of the service

This is a home offering placements to 19 children, 15 children with learning disabilities between the ages of five years and 18 years of age, and up to four places for children with a physical disability. It is split into four separate units, three of which offer residential services and one provides three places for respite care.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located in a quiet village, it has an extensive playground for use by the children and security gates are fitted to the rear of the site. Limited parking is available.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection is to look at a number of standards under Staying Safe and Organisation outcomes. Being Healthy, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution and Economic Wellbeing outcomes are not assessed on this occasion. Three children were present in the home during the inspection.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good standard of care to children. There are positive relationships between staff and children. Staff work positively to encourage children to be as independent as possible.

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Summary

As there are no significant changes to the service and not all standards are inspected, the overall rating of good remains. No actions have been raised as a result of this interim 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

At the previous inspection the manager was asked to ensure that there was sufficient staff at the home that were suitably qualified and to ensure that the home was monitored against the statement of purpose. The service has acted upon these actions. These steps help to raise the standards and continuity of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The privacy and confidentiality of the children is respected by the staff. For example information about children is securely stored and only shared with others on a need to know basis. Children have their own bedroom and staff always knock on doors before they enter.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is clear information for children and their families about how to make a complaint. The information is accessible to children and their families so that they know how to raise concerns and know that their complaint will be addressed and confident of a timely response.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained and competent in safeguarding matters and help to make sure that children's safety and wellbeing is promoted. There are good links to other agencies, such as the placing 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC013743 authorities and other health professionals and this leads to a good level of interagency and multi disciplinary working. An updated safeguarding workshop for all staff is planned for next week.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a strong commitment to the prevention of bullying and the home has a comprehensive policy on bullying that all staff are aware of. Staff respond positively to acceptable behaviour. The system of rewards and sanctions is clear and these are monitored by the manager to help ensure consistency. All incidents where a child has had to be restrained is recorded and this is also monitored by the manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall children, staff and visitors are kept safe through the robust attention paid to health and safety matters. For example, any required maintenance of the building is carried out promptly and attention is paid to ensuring the arrangements in the event of a fire are effective. The staff recruitment process is robust and no member of staff commences work until all statutory checks are satisfactorily completed. Visitors to the home are required to show valid ID and to sign in and out of the building.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The statement of purpose and the children's guide to the home is up to date. Staff have access to training opportunities to help them develop general skills and knowledge, such as first aid, health and safety, behaviour management and safeguarding. Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding and have read the home's policy.

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Organisation

Children are looked after by competent, trained staff. A number of staff have now completed their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 and at least three more staff have started the NVQ training. Sufficient staff are employed to ensure children have a consistent team caring for them who can get to know their individual needs. Staffing arrangements take into consideration children's ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Male and female staff are employed so that children may form relationships with staff of both genders. There are positive relationships between children and staff in a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Staff work hard to help children make progress and feel settled.

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Organisation

Regular visits are carried out on behalf of the organisation to monitor what happens in the home and reports are sent to Ofsted. The manager of the home now has a system in place to monitor the home against the statement of purpose and this process is recorded.

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Organisation

Clear records of children's personal information are kept, so that there is a chronology of their time in the home and a record of their progress. Risk assessments for individual children are used to plan how staff will meet children's needs and reduce risk in their daily routines. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC013743

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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: SC013743

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