Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

SC037282 Unique reference number 1 March 2010 Inspection date John Chivers Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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20 August 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: SC037282

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by the county council and provides respite care for children and young people aged between five and 18 years, who have learning difficulties, physical disabilities and other associated complex needs. Over 100 children and young people stay at the unit on an occasional or regular basis; access to the service is through referral and is funded by the local authority. The number of staff or children and young people in the unit is based on a dependency assessment of care needs and a maximum of seven children and young people can be accommodated at any one time. A team of nurses funded by the Primary Care Trust and care staff funded by the local authority care for the children and young people. Staff are supported with specific training to meet the children and young people's needs.

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Brief description of the service

The unit provides a range of facilities including office space, a kitchen, communal areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, a sensory room and soft play areas. A separate facility upstairs can also provide the opportunity for the children and young people to develop some independence and learn life skills. Outside there is a sensory garden and a large grassed area where there are swings, a play house and an adventure area on a safe surface. Off-road parking is available in front of the complex and the unit has its own adapted transport, enabling the children and young people to access activities and education in the local community.

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Brief description of the service

Copies of the Statement of Purpose are available from the unit for parents and social workers. A children and young people's guide is given to new children and young people entering the service that details the unit, the staff and the daily routine.

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Summary

The inspection was an interim inspection and unannounced. All of the key standards in the outcome of Staying Safe and standards 13.5, 2.2, 28.7 of the national minimum standards for Children's Homes were inspected. The outcomes relating to Enjoying and Achieving and Economic Wellbeing were not inspected on this occasion. All of the recommendations set at the last inspection were found to have been met, though the one action made was not found to be fully addressed regarding the frequency of staff supervision. Only one recommendation 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 children and 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 that staff are appraised annually, dates of training and what staff training needs are, recorded and the frequency of individual staff supervision increased. All staff were to receive first aid training; there was to be clearer recording of sanctions administered; children and young people's care plans were to be updated and signed, and all required information held on individual staff files.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff are now appraised annually and have their training requirements and dates entered in their training and development plans which gives a clearer account of their training needs and 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037282 performance. Whilst the frequency of individual staff supervision has increased it is still not at the frequency required by standard 28.2 of the national minimum standards for Children's Homes in all cases. All staff have now received first aid training which helps to improve the home's health and medical care arrangements. Clearer details of sanctions administered are now entered in the home's sanctions book which provides enhanced information of sanctions used. Care plans have been updated and signed in order to provide up-to-date details for staff, young people and children to be aware of. Staff recruitment and vetting arrangements have improved to evidence required information.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. All staff are now trained in first aid and are able to help the children and young people in medical emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and young people are treated with dignity regarding their holistic care and staff respect their privacy. The home has a policy and procedure regarding privacy and confidentiality and personal and intimate care. Staff receive training in these areas at induction and sign a confidentiality statement up on their appointment. Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and personal and confidential information on children and young people is securely held in locked cabinets and drawers within locked offices. A telephone is available for children and young people's use without reference to staff and toilet and bathing facilities afford good privacy. There is adequate space available in the home where children and young people can meet with appropriate visitors in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes any complaint seriously and allows children and young people and their parents unrestricted access to the relevant procedures. Children and young people appear settled and content in the home and raise no complaints or concerns. The home's caring and supportive service help to ensure satisfaction of the care provided and reduce the likelihood of significant issues arising. The home has a detailed complaints procedure and a simplified pictorial version of the procedure is held for the children and young people. Staff receive training in the complaints procedure at induction and this is reinforced periodically at staff team meetings. The home's complaints book shows that any complaint is clearly recorded, thoroughly investigated and details the action taken and the outcome.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have full regard for the protection and safeguarding of children and young people supervising them closely without this being intrusive. Staff are committed, diligent and aware regarding these areas and actively promote children and young people's safety and wellbeing. The home has a comprehensive child protection policy of which all staff are aware and have access to. In addition the county council multi-agency safeguarding procedures are held. All staff are trained in child protection. Children and young people learn about aspects of their personal safety via their individual school's curriculum and these areas are reinforced by staff in discussion and during respite contact with them. The manager said there are no current or ongoing child protection or safeguarding issues at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's close supervision arrangements regarding the children and young people, coupled with the good standard of care and support provides for a homely and relaxed atmosphere 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037282 where bullying and unauthorised absences are unlikely to occur. There is an anti-bullying policy and procedure, and an anti-bullying charter with children's help and advice lines listed. The manager said staff are alert in this area and quickly challenge such conduct in the event, though bullying is not an issue in the home. No bullying or intimidating behaviour among the children and young people is evident. The home has a missing persons' policy and procedure; however no unauthorised absences have occurred.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people's behaviour is managed well with staff maintaining positive relationships with them and interacting and engaging them appropriately. They respond well to staff instructions and requests and no significant issues regarding behaviour management and control are evident. The home has a detailed behaviour management policy which includes a list of permitted and non-permitted sanctions and the use of physical intervention and restraint. The home follows a recognised system of behaviour management in which all staff are trained. Children and young people have behavioural risk assessments and positive handling plans which are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Incidents are clearly recorded along with sanctions and restraint. Such records are signed by staff, the manager and the Regulation 33 monthly visitor. The records show that only permissible sanctions are used and that any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

restraint applied appears appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the record books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes active steps to keep children, young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards enabling all to live and work in a safe and well maintained environment. The home has a health and safety policy and the employer's health and safety poster is prominently displayed. There are quarterly health and safety audits and staff are trained in fire awareness. There is a written fire risk assessment which is currently in the process of being reviewed. Fire evacuation drills and fire alarm tests occur on a regular basis and fire fighting equipment and fire extinguishers are serviced annually. There are current utility safety test certificates and a range of generic risk assessments are held. Accidents are clearly recorded and the home has a current insurance liability certificate. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment and vetting procedures are of a good standard and have regard for equal opportunities and equality and diversity within its process. Such arrangements help to ensure that only suitable staff are appointed to look after the children and young people, promoting their wellbeing. Staff personnel files hold required information including two written references and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children and young people benefit from clear placement plans and care plans being in place which are updated and signed by staff as appropriate.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is not judged. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037282

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children and young people benefit from a skilled, experienced and competent staff team who are appropriately trained, appraised and supervised; however due to staff absences individual supervision has not always occurred at the required frequency in some cases,

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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): • ensure that staff supervision occurs at the frequency required by standard 28.2 of the national minimum standards for Children's Homes in all cases. (NMS 28.2) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC037282

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