Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

SC037281 Unique reference number 10 March 2010 Inspection date Sean White Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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25 September 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 6 Inspection Report: SC037281

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to seven children aged between eight and 14 years of age who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is situated in a quiet residential area and the accommodation comprises of a dining room, lounge, play room and study room. The children each have their own bedroom. A bathroom and a shower room are on the first floor. There is a garden to the rear of the building which has a grassed area and is used by the children for playing games. There is space at the front of the house for parking cars. There are currently seven children living in the home, some of whom were present during parts of the inspection and contributed to the inspection process.

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Summary

The manager and staff of this home demonstrate a clear understanding of the need to provide a caring, safe experience for the resident children.

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Summary

The practices in the home are child-focused and are aimed at meeting their needs as determined by care plans and assessments of risk. Good behaviour is achieved through caring relationships and with an emphasis on rewards. Clear recording demonstrates an understanding of the need to encourage children's positive development, although there are some minor shortfalls in the detail and timing in one instance. 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

The manager has taken seriously the issues raised following the last inspection and has put in place measures to address the actions raised. The medication and additional measures of control records are now well maintained. The premises are imminently due for a major refurbishment throughout.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There have been improvements made to the recording of medicines following actions raised at the previous inspection demonstrating the manager's commitment to promoting the health of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. This home has a committed and conscientious approach to working with younger children; it endeavours to give them a positive experience, keep them safe and provide a caring, encouraging environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have a clear understanding of children's needs, including their need for privacy and confidentiality. Their bedrooms are their own space, which they are encouraged and enabled to maintain, and there is a trusting acknowledgement in respect of individual privacy and dignity. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037281 There is a focused approach to ensuring children are safe. Placement plans and risk assessments determine the levels of freedom children can be allowed and staff are careful to ensure that lifestyles and choices are carefully monitored to ensure that welfare is protected. Training and cooperative working with the safeguarding workers ensures staff are fully informed about practice and procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying has not been a feature in this home for some time; children are fully aware of the negative consequences of bullying and discuss these issues in their meetings. There have been no unauthorised absences in recent times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good behaviour is encouraged through establishing caring relationships between staff and children, with the emphasis on rewards and encouragement and prizes being given for improved behaviour. Sanctions are used mainly to recompense for wilful damage. Careful recording of incidents demonstrates a clear understanding of encouraging socially acceptable behaviour. However, on occasions the recording of restraint has not been suitably detailed or written contemporaneously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises, although due for extensive refurbishment in the near future, are kept safe through careful and thorough monitoring of all risks, including fire precautions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff recruitment and selection procedures are thorough which ensures that only suitable people are employed.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. There are well-advanced plans in place to undertake a major refurbishment of the premises in the very near future that will provide a comfortable, safe and pleasant environment within which children can live. There has been a major garden project undertaken that has provided a range of play facilities and equipment for the children to enjoy; the children have been fully involved in this, providing them with the opportunity to own the finished results.

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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): • record full details of incidents of restraint as soon after the event as possible (NMS 22.9) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037281

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