Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

SC357981 Unique reference number 17 February 2010 Inspection date John Chivers 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: SC357981

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Brief description of the service

The home is located on the sea front of a coastal town. Shops and other amenities are close by and good access to public transport allows opportunities to access other coastal towns. The home provides accommodation for up to four children on the two upper floors of the building, whilst the communal, education and leisure facilities are on the ground and basement floors.

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Summary

The inspection was an 'interim' inspection and unannounced. All of the 'key' standards in the section 'staying safe' of the National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes were inspected. The sections being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation were not assessed on this occasion. The two actions and one recommendation set at the last inspection have now been fully addressed and only one action is made as a result of this inspection. The home is organised and managed to a good standard and affords an equally good standard of care and support to the resident young people. 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 registered manager was asked to ensure door locks of the type required by Standard 25.6 of the National Minimum Standards for Children's Homes are fitted to the home's toilet and bathing facilities, to draw up an annual development plan for the home, and the manager to attend the county council multi-agency safeguarding training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Suitable door locks have now been fitted to the home's toilet and bathing facilities which will afford greater privacy for the young people. An annual development plan for the period 2009-10 has now been prepared which gives a clear account of future development areas. The manager has now attended the county council multi agency safeguarding training which will now further help promote young people's safety and wellbeing in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff treat young people with dignity and respect their privacy having regard for good supervision without this being intrusive. The home has a policy and procedure regarding privacy and confidentiality. Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement upon appointment and receive training in this area during their induction. Confidential records are securely held in locked cabinets and drawers within a locked office. A telephone is available for young people's use without reference to staff and adequate space is provided in the home where young people can receive appropriate visitors in private. Young people have lockable bedroom doors and toilet and bathing facilities afford good privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes complaints seriously and ensures proper recording and investigation of any issues. Young people said they have no complaints about the home or service they receive and 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC357981 appear settled and at ease in their environment. The home has a complaints procedure and a simplified version of the procedure is available for the young people, with complaints information being displayed within the home. Staff receive training on the complaints procedure at induction and this is reinforced periodically at staff team meetings. The home's complaints book shows that complaints are thoroughly investigated and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have full regard for keeping young people safe and are diligent and aware regarding their safety and wellbeing, implementing appropriate levels of supervision. Young people raise no issues in this area. The home has a detailed child protection policy and procedure and staff have access to the county council multi-agency safeguarding procedures. Staff are trained in child protection and safeguarding. Young people learn about aspects of their personal safety via their individual school's curriculum and these areas are reinforced by staff at the home in discussion and key work sessions. The local community police officer also visits the home and advises young people on personal safety and danger awareness. The manager said there are no current or ongoing child protection or safeguarding issues at the home. Any child protection issues are clearly recorded and appropriate notifications made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The homely and friendly atmosphere at the home coupled with the young people's supervision arrangements, helps to ensure harmony within the group and reduce the likelihood of bullying occurring. The home has an anti-bullying policy and procedure and anti-bullying literature is displayed around the home which lists young people's help and advice lines, should anyone wish to report concerns externally. Staff are diligent in this area and act promptly to challenge and address such conduct, though bullying is not currently an issue in the home, with young people raising no concerns in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The school has a policy and procedure regarding missing persons and any unauthorised absences are clearly recorded in the home's register and incident forms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is well managed with young people responding positively to staff requests and instructions. Relationships between staff and young people are sound with appropriate interaction and engagement evident. Young people appear relaxed in their environment and are aware of what is expected of them regarding their conduct. The home has a behaviour management policy and staff follow a recognised behaviour management system in which all staff receive training. Young people have individual behaviour management plans which are monitored and reviewed periodically. The home's sanctions book shows that sanctions administered are clearly recorded and that only permissible sanctions are used. The home's restraint book shows detailed recording, though staff signatures are omitted in a small number of entries made. Any restraint used appears necessary and appropriate in the circumstances described in the records. The manager said all of the young people are within

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the home's remit in terms of behaviour management and control and no significant issues in this area are currently evident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes positive steps to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards and provides a safe and well-maintained environment for young people to live and develop in. The home has a health and safety policy and the Health and Employers' health and safety poster is prominently displayed. The manager undertakes a weekly health and safety audit and an external health and safety company audits the home periodically. The home has a current fire risk assessment and fire evacuation drills and alarm tests occur on a regular basis. Fire fighting equipment is serviced regularly and fire 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC357981 instruction notices are displayed. Staff receive fire awareness training during induction with refresher courses being held. There are there are current utility safety test certificates available. The home has a range of generic risk assessments which are reviewed annually. Standards of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cleanliness and hygiene are good throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed. The home has a current insurance liability certificate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment and vetting arrangements help to ensure only suitable staff are employed to look after the young people. The home has a staff recruitment policy and procedure which has regard equal opportunities in its recruitment process. Staff recruitment and vetting procedures are robust and sound and staff personnel files hold all required information including two written references with verification and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level.

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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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Due date Action Standard

1 March 2010 ensure staff sign the restraint book on all occasions. (Regulation 17)

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC357981

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