Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

SC034184 Unique reference number 26 April 2010 Inspection date Thomas Webber Inspector Random Type of Inspection

p.1

24 September 2009 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC034184

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is one of a number of children's homes operated by this local authority. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex, aged 15 years and over. The purpose of the home is to provide young people with life and social skills to enable independent living.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The house is a detached property situated in a residential area of the city. The young people use local transport, with a bus stop being closely situated by the home, so that they can access the facilities of the city centre. There are also local shops and other facilities located within the immediate area.

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection took place over one day. This forms part of the annual inspection programme to examine the standard of care and services provided to young people. At the time of the inspection, five young people were accommodated.

p.4

Summary

This home provides a satisfactory standard of care to young people which ensures that satisfactory to good outcomes are achieved for them. This is supported by comments made by young people, staff, documentary evidence seen and observations made. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Three recommendations were identified at the last inspection. Two relating to fire prevention records and staff supervision are still not fully addressed. The third recommendation relates to a consistent format being used to record all attendees at young people's statutory reviews. This is acknowledged by the authority but has not yet been addressed. However, this is outside the influence of the home.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home actively promotes the rights of young people by ensuring that their privacy and dignity are respected. Young people's information is kept secure and staff understand the need to keep their information confidential as well as being clear about the limits of confidentiality.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear policies and procedures are established for dealing with complaints. This process is clearly understood by young people, who are supported to raise any issues of concern openly. The home has received two complaints since the last inspection. All complaints are responded to and addressed without delay. However, there were deficiencies in aspects of the recording which were addressed during the inspection. These related to the outcomes and action taken not always being recorded and the entry not being signed by a member of staff. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034184 Young people live in a stable and safe environment where their welfare is promoted and they are protected from abuse. Staff have access to the local safeguarding child protection policies and procedures and all staff have received child protection training.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An anti-bullying policy is established which is conveyed to the young people on admission. All incidents of bullying are recorded and a number of actions are taken to address these in order to protect young people from bullying. However, the bullying log does not always show the resolution and action taken to minimise the incidents. Staff and young people do not currently regard bullying as being a major area of concern and are confident that any incident would be promptly addressed.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A clear system is established for the reporting and recording of any event where a young person goes absent without consent. However, currently the recording is deficient and does not show all action taken by staff, the circumstances of the young person's return, any reason given by the young person for going missing and any action taken in the light of those reasons. The policy is currently being reviewed in light of the new police protocols which will include updating the recording format used, although an interim format has been put in place to address the deficiencies identified at the inspection.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff assist young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour through encouragement, reinforcement and positive behaviour incentives. Although staff are trained in the use of physical intervention, this and sanctions are rarely used. Management now ensures that all sanctions are routinely monitored and are fully recorded.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust health and safety policies and practice guidelines are established to ensure that the staff and young people are appropriately safeguarded. A tour of the premises identified no specific health and safety issues. Although young people and staff practise fire evacuation procedures at the authority's recommended intervals, the time is not recorded.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No new staff have been appointed since the last inspection. However, previous inspections have shown that robust staff recruitment practices are established for the careful selection and vetting of all new staff to ensure the protection of young people.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The aim of the home is to provide care and accommodation for young people aged 15 years and above, with a focus on independence training and preparation for adulthood. The home’s location, design and size are in keeping with its stated purpose and function. Young people continue to live in a homely and welcoming environment which is maintained to a good standard being clean, tidy and comfortable. The home is also furnished and decorated to a good standard.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are provided with their own bedrooms which are personalised to their individual tastes. Alarms are fitted to all young people's bedroom doors which are currently being used 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034184 for child protection reasons. Appropriate locks are also fitted to young people's bedroom doors. In addition, young people are provided with a safe and lockable storage unit and a fridge freezer within their bedrooms. A lockable cupboard is also available for each young person in the kitchen for the storage of personal food.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides young people with sufficient communal space to meet their individual and collective needs. A payphone is located in the quiet/computer room for their use. The home also provides sufficient laundry, bath, shower and toilet facilities to meet the needs of young people.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Young people are looked after by a staff team who are themselves suitably managed and supported in safeguarding and promoting the young people's welfare. Regular staff meetings and daily handover meetings ensure that staff are kept up to date with regard to any issues pertaining to young people and the running of the home. Although improvements continue to be made in relation to staff receiving formal and individual supervision, not all staff receive these at the recommended intervals in line with best practice.

p.6

Organisation

Young people are looked after by a stable staff team who are trained and competent to meet their needs. New staff are provided with an induction programme. Staff are also supported and encouraged to increase their knowledge and expertise through attendance at appropriate training courses. However, some staff commented that they require more specialised training to meet the specific needs of young people. All staff have achieved at least the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Care of Children and Young People.

p.6

Organisation

The home is committed to providing sufficient staff on duty to meet the individual and collective needs of the young people accommodated. The home continues to provide a minimum of two members of staff on duty throughout the waking day with two staff sleeping in each night. Higher levels of staffing are currently being provided due to specific issues relating to the home and the young people accommodated. Staff are sensitive to gender issues, particularly when dealing with young people of the opposite sex and there are clear arrangements established in this area of practice. Young people also receive care and services from a staff team who have a variety of experience in the care of young people.

p.6

Organisation

Young people spoken to during the inspection commented positively about the care and support provided. They also commented positively about the support provided by staff which enables them to develop their independent living skills.

p.6

Organisation

The authority ensures that the care and welfare of the young people are continually monitored. This is achieved by monthly unannounced monitoring visits undertaken by various team managers from within the authority. Reports are produced outlining these visits and any action needed to improve the outcomes for young people.

p.6

Organisation

The Registered Manager is still on secondment; however, interim arrangements are in place, with one of the assistant unit managers being promoted to acting manager who is supported by three assistant unit managers. However, the home lacks effective leadership at the present time. Concerns were expressed by some staff about low morale within the staff team and the 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034184 lack of consistency of care to young people. However, these issues are due to be discussed through a team development day.

p.6

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.

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the bullying log always show the resolution and action taken to minimise incidents (NMS 18.5) • ensure that detailed records are maintained when young people go absent without consent (NMS 19.6) • ensure that the time is recorded for all fire drills (NMS 26.8) • ensure that all staff receive one to one supervision from a senior member of staff each month. (NMS 28.2) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC034184

p.7