Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

SC066277 Unique reference number 8 February 2010 Inspection date Roy Bega 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: SC066277

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Brief description of the service

This respite setting is owned and operated jointly by a National Health Trust and a Local Authority Children's Services Department. It is situated in an urban area of a city close to local transport and amenities.

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Brief description of the service

The setting provides respite care for up to nine children/young people at any one time who have severe learning, sensory and physical disabilities who may also have complex health needs and challenging behaviour.

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Brief description of the service

Accommodation comprises of single bedrooms, specific and shared communal areas including activity and sensory facilities.

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Summary

This is an unannounced interim inspection completed during a period covering an afternoon and early evening. The standards relating to the outcome group Staying Safe are assessed on this occasion. There were no actions or recommendations raised resulting from the previous, or this inspection.

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Summary

Five children were receiving respite care at the time of this visit.

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Summary

Children's privacy and dignity is prioritised within the setting taking into consideration their individual needs and preferences. Management and staff show a good commitment and awareness in ensuring children are safeguarded. 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

No action points or recommendations were raised resulting from the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. This setting provides a respite service. Staff ensure they are conversant with each child's needs before they arrive and make the necessary adaptations and preparation of equipment. Staff protect children's dignity and privacy at all times while providing necessary supervision. Some children require more support with personal care than others. This is provided sensitively and with due regard of minimum disruption and embarrassment to the children. During their stays all children are provided with their own rooms. Staff portray good awareness regarding the importance of confidentiality of information and storing records securely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Prior to agreeing a respite placement for their children, parents are provided with the setting's complaints policy and procedure. Staff clearly understand how each child communicates distress and unhappiness whilst being acutely aware of their responsibility to advocate for them. Any 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066277 concerns expressed by parents are dealt with swiftly and effectively. Complaints received by the setting are extremely low with only one recorded since the previous inspection visit. Clear records show that matters have been amicably concluded. A revised child-friendly complaints procedure is in the process of being compiled in partnership with the schools children attend.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust strategies and procedures are in place to reduce the possibilities of bullying. Staff have excellent knowledge in reading the signs from individuals to act accordingly in preventing potential harm being caused. This is supported by the number of staff on duty at any one time to ensure children are closely supervised. During this visit staff were observed to be proactive in responding to potentially difficult situations between children. There are established procedures and practice within the setting to respond to occasions if children go missing from the home and or leave the supervision of staff. No incidents have occurred since the previous inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is good provision at the unit for ensuring children are well safeguarded from harm. Staff possess a sound understanding of safeguarding and receive appropriate training. Programmes of respite are devised to ensure the compatibility of groups as much as is possible. Appropriate staffing ensures good levels of supervision at all times. Comprehensive risk assessments further promote the safety of children by identifying strategies for managing potential risks. Detailed behaviour support and intervention plans are also used to identify trigger behaviours and preferred strategies for working with each child. These are routinely discussed and agreed with parents. Staff are skilled at working with the children they care for. Incidents of physical interventions and the use of sanctions are at an extremely low level, with records being suitably maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being in a safe and secure physical environment where risk is well managed. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the premises, and for activities undertaken by children, both on and off site. Due to their vulnerability all children are accompanied by staff when they leave the premises. Management ensures all staff have a high awareness of the vulnerability of children in the case of a fire. All staff undertake specific fire safety training and there is a dedicated fire warden on each shift. There is an up to date fire risk assessment in place. Fire drills, checks and tests of fire safety equipment is carried out and recorded as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are appropriately safeguarded by the local authority's robust and stringent recruitment procedures. Good quality internal monitoring and audits of recruitment files are undertaken to ensure that all appropriate checks within Schedule 2 children’s homes national minimum standards and regulations are sought prior to staff commencing employment.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC066277

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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: SC066277

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