Children's Home run by Anderida Adolescent Care Ltd in East Sussex

SC028536 Unique reference number 11 February 2010 Inspection date Liz Driver Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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3 November 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 7 Inspection Report: SC028536

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Brief description of the service

The setting is registered to accommodate two young people, of either sex, over 11 years of age with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private company. The accommodation consists of a lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. The first floor has a sleeping in room/office, the young people's bathroom and a young person's bedroom. The second floor comprises a sleeping-in room, a meeting room and a young person's bedroom. There is a small garden at the rear of the premises.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection that looked at the one action made at the last inspection plus staying safe and aspects of enjoying and achieving, economic wellbeing and organisation. The setting has addressed the one action made at the last inspection and none were made at this inspection. The manager is effective in her management style and heavily promotes the voice of the child.

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Summary

Since the last inspection the manager is now registered with Ofsted. She has settled in well and has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities and is fully committed to her role. Young people are cared for by staff who are well trained, experienced and sensitive to their needs. Staff are aware of child protection and safe guarding concerns and work very hard to ensure young people are aware of the dangers they put themselves in when missing from the home. Behaviour management, although challenging at times, is consistent with varying levels of improvements seen for each young person. The home is well managed and well maintained with all necessary health and safety checks being carried out. It provides a safe and homely environment for young people who present challenging behaviour. 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 last inspection the setting was asked to ensure all young people accommodated at the home were made aware of the procedures to follow in case of a fire. Records show that all young people and staff have participated in fire drills and are fully aware of the procedures. Checks on this area are now included into the monthly monitoring by the manager and Regulation 33 visitor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy is respected well by staff. There is a policy in place with regards to searching a young person's room and a record is kept if this occurs. Any confidential information kept about the young people is securely stored in locked cabinets in a secure office. Staff handle confidential information sensitively. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028536 Young people are informed of their right to make a complaint on admission to the home. The young person's handbook gives clear guidance to the young people about who they can complain to and their contact details. Staff receive training in complaints and whistle blowing as part of their induction process. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are cared for by staff who receive appropriate training in child protection and safeguarding, including the home's and local authority's protocols in identifying and responding to child protection concerns or incidents. Staff are aware of what they need to do in the event that they have concerns about a young person's welfare and are very well informed of the home's whistle blowing policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a very clear policy in place with regards to managing bullying. It states there is a zero tolerance to bullying behaviour. Young people are informed of the setting's expectations in relation to bullying on admission and throughout their stay via key worker sessions and young people's meetings. There are clear guidelines for staff on how to manage potential bullying behaviour and how to support young people and staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear policy in place for the staff to follow in the event that a young person goes missing. Each young person's care plan clearly records what course of action will be pursued should the young person leave the home without permission or not return to the home at the agreed time. This strategy is also explained to the young people so that they are clear as to what the consequences are if they are missing. The home works very closely with other agencies, including the police, to ensure they have an in-depth understanding of each young person's difficulties and vulnerabilities. Much work is carried out by staff to make young people aware of safety issues if they go missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has a behaviour management plan in place which outlines what support they need to achieve positive behaviour. Triggers for distressed or challenging behaviour are recorded in each young person's behaviour management plan. These plans include comprehensive, imaginative and complex behavioural management strategies. All members of staff receive training in the method of restraint chosen by the organisation which owns the home. Sanctions are recorded and endorsed by the manager as part of the monitoring process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has up to date checks carried out on electric, gas and fire safety systems. Additionally, there are regular fire drills that staff and young people participate in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation operates a robust recruitment process which ensures that all members of staff have the correct checks made on them before commencing work. All visitors are vetted, supervised if appropriate and asked to sign the visitor's book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The staff work very hard to ensure that each young person has the opportunity to attend an appropriate educational placement. Staff liaise with local authority education departments and arrange meetings to prepare individual education plans. Young people can also access education at the organisation's registered school. The staff assist young people in attending their education placement and will incorporate rewards into their behaviour management plan and targets to give an incentive for the young people to attend. The home has an ethos where education is highly valued and young people are encouraged to take advantage of the support and 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028536 opportunities given to them. The Registered Manager has an in-depth knowledge of the educational system and works very closely with local education professionals to ensure young people gain the correct placements.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home provides a good standard of accommodation throughout. It is well lit, heated and ventilated. Some areas, such as the lounge, have been repainted and refurbished since the last inspection. Suitable toilet and bathing facilities are provided. The young people choose the décor in their rooms and are able to personalise them with posters and pictures. There is separate sleeping-in accommodation for the staff. The garden is small and in good order. The home has enough space for the young people to meet visitors in private.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The setting has a Registered Manager who is fully committed to her staff team and the young people. She was registered with Ofsted in January 2010 and has proven to have a positive effect on the home and the young people accommodated there. She is supported by experienced and knowledgeable senior management colleagues. There is a good gender and age mix of staff on duty at all times. Currently two staff to one young person staffing ratios are in place that ensures high levels of support and individual attention for young people. An extensive induction programme is offered to newly recruited staff with continued training after this period, including National Vocational Qualifications. Staff receive regular and a good standard of supervision and feel well supported.

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Organisation

Monitoring of the home and its practices is good with regular visits undertaken by an external manager from within the organisation. These are the subject of reports which ensure that key areas in the home are monitored. They are also submitted to Ofsted on a monthly basis without fail. The Registered Manager also undertakes weekly and monthly checks of records and practices.

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Organisation

The management of the home and systems operated therein, ensure that the staff are well trained and supported. This in turn ensures that the young people are cared for to a good standard and that their needs are promoted and their well-being protected and developed, even during challenging times.

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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. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC028536

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