Children's Home run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

SC028905 Unique reference number 3 March 2010 Inspection date Jacqui Gosling Inspector Key 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 10 Inspection Report: SC028905

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Brief description of the service

The home is part of a residential provision for looked after children. The home provides emergency short- term residential accommodation for a maximum of five young people of either gender, who are aged between 12 and 17 years on admission. The purpose of the home is to provide a safe and secure environment that promotes the welfare of the young people accommodated. An assessment is carried out to identify how best to meet a young person's needs and plan for their future.

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Brief description of the service

Placements are for a maximum of 12 weeks duration, other than in exceptional circumstances, during this time plans are made for a return home or another placement will be made and initiated. Two young people are currently living at the home.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in a residential area and is a large Victorian building comprising five en suite bedrooms for young people.

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection concentrates on key national minimum standards focusing on all outcome areas. How staffing and management arrangements support the operation of the home is also considered.

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Summary

The home is judged as outstanding. Young people are clearly benefiting from living in a home that has a strong emphasis on promoting their health, welfare and safety. They are fully consulted and involved in their care and living arrangements. One young person gave their view of living at the home.

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Summary

Young people are receiving an excellent level of care and support because staff are enthusiastic, dedicated and well informed about young people's needs and circumstances. The manager and senior staff provide effective, practical leadership that supports staff to deliver consistent care and support. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made following the last inspection. Both have been fully addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As part of the recruitment process details of the Criminal Records Bureau checks for staff are available for external inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home requests that children who abscond are seen by their social worker or an independent person to consider the reasons for the absence.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. There are very effective systems in place to ensure that young people's health needs are effectively met. Staff are properly trained, assessments are thorough and health plans are clear and detailed, so that health care is consistent. Young people are provided with a healthy diet 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905 and encouraged to learn to plan, shop for and cook their own meals to help them to develop their understanding of a healthy diet and to promote independence skills. All medicines are stored securely and administered safely to protect young people. Staff are trained in first aid so that they care for young people safely in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff provide healthy, nutritious meals that meet young people's daily dietary needs. Fruit is always available. Young people regularly contribute to the planning of meals. Mealtimes are social occasions and are seen as an important part of daily life.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people also purchase their own food and cook for themselves in line with their independence programme. Where assistance is needed, with regard to healthy choices or cooking skills, this is given by the staff. This ensures that the young people can make their own choices and know how to cook and prepare food for themselves.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people receive good support from staff and a very wide range of other appropriate professionals are available to them with regard to their health. There are robust processes for multi-agency working and sharing and updating information within the staff team. This provides a very consistent approach ensuring that all aspects of health needs for individuals are met as far as possible. Young people's emotional well-being is also continually assessed and they are actively encouraged by staff to engage in the relevant support they need.

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Helping children to be healthy

All staff members have completed a first aid course; this ensures there is always a suitably qualified person in the home should the young people need assistance with a medical issue. The storage, handling and recording of medicines is well organised and safe in the home. Consent has been obtained for the administration of first aid and household medicines. If household remedies need to be administered for more than two days young people are taken to see their general practitioner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Young people are benefiting from living in a home that has a good focus on safeguarding and protection matters. The home has an extensive range of operational policies and procedures that are used effectively to promote the safety and welfare of young people. The home has strong leadership that consistently promotes an environment where safety is acknowledged as important.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged by staff to keep themselves and others safe. There are good arrangements in place to ensure staff are well informed about how to keep young people safe and young people 'feel safe living here'. Young people are protected because staff recognise and understand their role in child protection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and confidentially is respected by all staff. Staff are sensitive and aware of the need to only disclose or share information that is needed to meet young people's needs. The home has good policies in respect of staff entering young people's bedrooms and for conducting searches of these rooms when it is necessary to do so. All the young people have en suite bedrooms. This ensures their privacy when bathing. They also have a small safe in their bedrooms to enable them to protect their personal belongings. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905 Young people know that inappropriate behaviour will be challenged. This makes the home a safe and comfortable place to live because expectations about behaviour and conduct are clearly communicated in a way that has a positive effect on young people. Young people are able to raise concerns and complaints and say they 'know how to make a complaint'. They are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

confident the staff listen and act on what they have to say.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home manages complaints and concerns quickly and tries to resolve complaints in a manner young people both understand and can agree with. Records of complaints, both internal and external, identify clear outcomes. The home also keeps a record of compliments they have received from other professionals about the service they offer young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home follows the organisation's policy and procedures regarding young people who leave the home without permission; these practices comply with wider police protocol on absconding behaviour. Young people are actively discouraged from having unauthorised absences and records demonstrate that procedures are being consistently followed. Staff focus on developing supportive and consistent relationships that encourage alternative and safer ways of behaving. Promoting young people's safety and protection is central to the operation of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to behave well, to establish, achieve and maintain levels of behaviour that are socially acceptable and that will sustain them in the wider community. The home's records detail consequences used for inappropriate behaviour and positive consequences and rewards for behaviour that deserves congratulation and praise. No physical interventions have been needed since the last inspection. This indicates staff have built positive relationships and focus on young people's achievements, rather than on just punishing misdemeanours. Staff are successful at helping young people change their behaviour for the better.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has good policies, procedures and staff guidance in respect of recording incidents both those that happen in the home and those that happen outside in the community. These policies enable staff to recognise incidents that are significant, particularly if they include aspects of potential risk or harm to young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from fire and other hazards in the home. For example, risk assessments are completed in relation to fire and potential environmental hazards. All the fire systems are tested regularly and fire drills are undertaken in excess of statutory requirements. The home's manager ensures that utilities, domestic equipment and vehicles are checked to ensure they are safe to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff recruitment procedures are thorough overall. In discussion the Registered Manager confirms that no staff had been deployed into the home without first completing the required employment procedures; these procedures cover all the requirements of the relevant national minimum standards. However, the files of two recently appointed cooks do not contain the required proofs of identity or photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. There are very effective systems in place to make sure that every young person receives the individual support they need. For example, thorough assessments, individual plans, key working and establishing links with other agencies. There are excellent temporary arrangements for young people who are not attending school. Staff promote the value of education, support 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905 young people practically and emotionally to enable them to attend and to achieve to their individual potential, and celebrate their successes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have access to a comprehensive range of information that identifies specific needs and support for each young person. A key worker system is in operation and a member of staff takes some responsibility for the delivery and monitoring of a young person’s care and support. Records also take account of potential needs in relation to a young person's diversity, such as identity, race, culture and religion. This individual key worker support is not promoted to the exclusion of other staff offering support. It is clear that staff in the home work as a team and young people are able to approach all staff for help and support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff actively promote the inclusion of young people in the home's daily routines and events. Young people are supported to access and attend various community-based activities and venues according to their own choices and preferences. Staff support young people to develop their own interests and hobbies because significant attention is being paid to this area of personal development and growth. The staff review and update assessments so they are informed about what they can do to reduce potential risks to young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's care and support is clearly focused on their overall plan of care, matching the placing authority aims and objectives in relation to future plans and placements. The Registered Manager and staff have a strong focus on organising themselves around young people and their needs which supports improving outcomes for each individual.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has a clear education policy which includes the active promotion of education through partnership working with other agencies and professionals. Staff are well informed about the progress young people are making because regular contact takes place between schools, colleges and the home. The home offers young people in-house art and music sessions, which the young people clearly enjoy and examples of their work are prominently displayed throughout the home. Young people are living in a home where they are motivated by a staff team that understands and values the importance of education.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Care planning in the home is based around the needs of the young people and where appropriate around working towards their independence. The system is well understood by staff and ensures that there is streamlining from the point of admission through the review meetings and into their everyday life. There are regular changes in the needs of the young people but the systems in place for the exchange of new information are very good. For example, there are daily handovers of information, case discussion sessions, staff meetings where each of the young people are discussed and a communication book. In turn, the staff are extremely well informed, clearly know the young people very well and understand their needs and how they should be met. Staff clearly understand the principles of good care planning and ably demonstrate that all relevant information in the case files is current and accurate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to retain contact with their family and friends and staff are fully conversant with information regarding restrictions. All contacts are recorded in the young people's files. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905 Staff demonstrate that they place great value on the views and opinions of the young people and spend a lot of time with them to ensure that their views are established. There are regular young people's meetings and key working sessions which work very well to ensure that young people's wishes and views about their life and the running of the home can be established.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive adequate allowances to cover personal requisites and clothing and are well informed about their entitlements due to good arrangements and systems in place to manage allowances, personal needs and pocket money. Key workers are responsible for ensuring young people maintain an appropriate stock of essential clothing. Once these are established and maintained, the young people are at liberty to save their money for special items of choice. Pocket money is clearly recorded and paid to young people on a weekly basis.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a home that has recently been renovated and refurbished to an extremely high standard. The home is located in a residential area and the location has good access to all local amenities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

This is a large and comfortable care setting, which is decorated and furnished to a high standard, that creates a pleasant homely living environment ensuring the social and personal needs of each young person are being well met. Examples of the young people's artwork are displayed throughout the home and this gives them a sense of belonging.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

A programme of maintenance and repair is ongoing but does not impact on the care young people receive. There are good systems in place that recognise maintenance issues and those with health and safety implications are rectified as a priority with evidence that demonstrates generous investment in the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Young people benefit from living in a home that is very well managed and from being cared for by a consistent team of staff who are suitably qualified and trained to meet their needs. Staff feel they are properly supported and there is strong evidence of good leadership within the home. Systems for monitoring the work of the home are extremely robust and show that there is a good response to issues that may be raised during the checks that are done. The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of equality and diversity and are keen to help the young people to develop their knowledge and understanding of other cultures; the rights of other people and make sure that young people receive care that is tailored to meet their individual and specific needs.

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Organisation

This is a well managed home which contributes to the positive impact the care and support young people receive. The home's manager and senior staff provide good day-to-day support to individual shifts and as a result they are well informed about daily routines, events and the progress of each young person.

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Organisation

Staff know and understand the stated aims and objectives of the service, which is consistent with the Statement of Purpose. The commitment of staff is a strength of the home and most absences are covered from the existing team, or staff, who are already known by the young 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905 people, to ensure a continuity of care. Young people are well informed about what the home does because staff take time to explain and describe its services and how they can be influenced to suit individual needs.

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Organisation

The home provides a good range of information about its stated aims and purpose. Young people are given a guide that is in an appropriate format to help them learn about what the home provides. The number of staff on duty is always enough to meet the needs of young people and ensure their welfare and protection. There are good induction, core training and support systems in place that provide staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to support and care for young people.

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Organisation

Young people are receiving good support because the staff team are led by senior staff that are suitably qualified and experienced. All staff hold the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in caring for children and young people as a minimum of their qualifications. Good emphasis is given to staff training and development which is focused on areas relating to young people's needs.

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Organisation

There is good leadership and management support because the Registered Manager is qualified, skilled and experienced, and provides strong and effective leadership to the staff team and young people. The Registered Manager is actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the home and has clear expectations that the staff team will achieve the best possible outcomes for all young people in their care.

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Organisation

Staff receive regular supervision from the home's manager or senior staff. Young people are being nurtured and comprehensively supported because their needs are being met and identified risks are well managed. Young people are provided with appropriate levels of supervision and support because staff manage their time effectively and are deployed in a way that meets their needs.

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Organisation

The staff rotas are flexible to meet the changing needs and circumstances of young people. There are clear and accountable systems in place for staff to deputise in the absence of the manager. Good management systems are in place to share information between different shift teams.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. All recording systems take account of potential needs in relation to a young person's diversity such as identity, race, culture and religion. The home provides an environment where the value of equality and diversity is understood, promoted and celebrated.

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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 the recruitment process is followed, including evidence that all requirements of Schedule 2 have been met in every case, specifically ensure required proof of identity includes a recent photograph for all staff (NMS 27.1) 10 of 10 Inspection Report: SC028905

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