Children's Home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Kent

SC037309 Unique reference number 16 March 2010 Inspection date Helen Lee Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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14 December 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 8 Inspection Report: SC037309

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Brief description of the service

The home is a purpose-built house registered as a children's home to provide care and accommodation for seven young people between eight and 17 years old. The home is located within rural grounds. The young people either attend the home's school, within the grounds, or a local mainstream school. A large garden surrounds the home, providing recreational space for the young people.

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Summary

This is an inadequate home with two outcome areas judged as inadequate, one as satisfactory and one as good. At this unannounced interim inspection three outcome areas and organisation were assessed and the action taken by the home to meet the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection was reviewed. The newly appointed manager was on leave, as was the team leader. Assistance was provided by the deputy team leader and senior management of the organisation. The inspector spent one day talking with the young people, staff and management of the home as well as looking at records.

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Summary

The levels of staffing have been adversely affected by sickness and staff absence. This, and the subsidiary effects, was an important issue for the staff, and the management team are working hard to address this. Other areas evidence shortfalls, specifically safeguarding, which resulted in the inadequate outcome, and these matters are raised in the body of the report. Management were aware of these areas and were beginning to implement strategies for the staff and management group. The home's rating has dropped from satisfactory to inadequate due to the failure of one of the management team to keep a child safe following an allegation. Four requirements are made at this inspection, regarding the safeguarding failure, staff supervision, staff training and administering medication. The overall quality rating is inadequate. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Several areas following the key inspection have been improved. Three previous requirements are met regarding sufficient staff, health needs and placement plans. Staff and management spoken with evidenced a high level of work to meet these requirements effectively. A number of recommendations were made at the previous inspection, and those which have not been addressed have been reset at this inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are encouraged to eat a healthy balanced diet and their specific dietary needs are attended to. A consultancy/monitoring company carry out checks every three months to assess the food provision for its nutritional value, and they normally consult with the children. However, this had not taken place recently and therefore the children's needs and wishes were not recorded appropriately. Management arranged a meeting so that this could be implemented. The children are given opportunities to plan, shop and prepare meals. Young people spoken with were looking forward to particular meals such as those on Sundays when they are able to cook. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037309 Health plans, health reports and placement plans highlight any ongoing health issues that may need monitoring. There are effective systems in place to promote good health, and these are now consistently recorded. All the sampled young people's files evidenced health assessment,

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Helping children to be healthy

review and follow up appointments. Staff spoken with confirm that each child is cared for according to their individual health plan, which is continually monitored and discussed in case management meetings and looked after children reviews.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff encourage and promote good health in the children. The children’s mental and emotional well-being is taken very seriously. Young people benefit from professional assessment of their psychological and emotional health, the outcome and findings of which inform and contribute to behaviour strategies, education plans, and day-to-day contact and support. The children confirm they are able to see other healthcare professionals when needed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication is stored safely and the home has guidelines and appropriate procedures; however, these have not been consistently followed, for example, returns, labelling, disposals, and infrequent medication administering. There is accredited training for managers and deputy managers; however, medication training for all staff was out of date. The registered person had robustly audited this area and effectively monitored and improved the practice; however, for this to be sustainable, competency across the staff group needs addressing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. There are good measures in place to respect confidentiality and privacy. Young people are satisfied their privacy is respected and that confidential information about them is treated as such. Young people's rooms are respected as their own personal space and provision is made for keeping valuables and cherished possessions safe. Staff spoken with are careful to ensure sensitive information about young people is only discussed in private and is not shared inappropriately. The confidentiality of written records is protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a comprehensive and accessible complaints procedure in place. Concerns or complaints are taken seriously and carefully investigated. The complaints procedure has been explained to the children. Records show children are aware of how to complain and are supported to express their concerns or complaints. All complaints are monitored on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive training in safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. Staff spoken with have a good understanding of their duties in relation to protecting young people from harm and what they need to do to fulfil these. The home's child protection systems are generally good with clear and appropriate procedures to follow. However, on one occasion there was an unacceptable delay regarding the response made to an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Therefore there was a failure to protect a young person. The management team were involved in retrospective appropriate work such as notifications, liaison with appropriate people and recording. The registered person also had instigated disciplinary measures around the member of the management team who failed to respond appropriately to the allegations regarding the young person’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Vigorous managerial monitoring ensures young people are protected from inappropriate sanctions and restraints. There is a developing consistency regarding what constitutes an effective sanction for individual young people. There are some good behaviour management strategies in place, including 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037309 appropriate physical intervention strategies. For example, a record is maintained for each child, outlining clear routines and expectations of behaviour and strategies for staff, which they know and use effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive a variety of training in positive behaviour management, helping the children with their emotional and behavioural development. Although some of the sampled behaviour management plans were not consistent with the young person's placement plans, the staff recognised that this is work in progress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home that provides a safe and secure environment. Action is taken to help ensure hazards and risks are managed safely. Safe working practices are established. The building and facilities are maintained to a suitable standard. Fire safety systems are routinely checked and serviced, and records now evidence which staff or young people have been included in a drill.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. There are detailed individual placement plans outlining the needs of the young people. Staff spoken with are aware of the plans for the young people and their individual needs, as well as having high expectations of the young people. The five sampled placement plans were up to date and were viewed as active working documents. A broad range of evidence such as other documents and staff knowledge showed that the placement plans are regularly assessed and reviewed. Staff spoken with are working with the young people to understand and be a part of their plans in appropriate ways. However, the current plans are not workable documents that are accessible for the children to understand. They do not show that the children are being made aware of, and agreeing or disagreeing with, the content of these plans and whether they are involved in decisions made about them.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The home has a written Statement of Purpose and a children’s guide which accurately describe what the home sets out to do for children accommodated, and the manner in which care is provided. There is a clear statement of how the home operates. This is available for parents, social workers and others needing this information. This is currently under review given the new registration of both the registered provider and manager.

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Organisation

Young people's needs, development and progress are recorded to reflect their individuality. Each young person has a permanent private and secure record of their history and progress.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by staff who are themselves supported and guided in carrying out their work. Staff spoken with receive good informal support; however, staff do not receive 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037309 frequent formal supervision. Also, not all staff are adequately trained, for example, regarding medication.

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Organisation

Staff spoken with, and the registered person of the home, are properly managed, supported and understand to whom they are accountable. Staff members who are placed in charge of the home, and other staff at particular times, are suitably experienced.

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Organisation

The staff group has changed a lot, therefore young people have not benefited from the normal continuity of staffing at the service. Staffing levels have been severely impacted upon by sickness levels and the home is deploying various recruitment and staffing strategies which are beginning to take effect. This had decreased available time for staff to work on various aspects such as one-to-one time with children, recording, training, and supervision. Staff felt that there were insufficient staff on duty at times, which management agreed with and increased staffing accordingly. Staff rotas now have five staff on shift which previously showed occurrences of three staff at various times and four in the majority of cases. Management are aware through the monitoring mechanisms of the home of actions needed to improve or adjust provisions for the benefit of the young people.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good; for example, staff have high expectations of the young people and they are given appropriate individualised care and support.

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Organisation

Ongoing monitoring of the quality of care by the registered provider has been reviewed in light of the information provided by the inspection process and its internal monitoring systems. The new action plan format of the Regulation 33 reports now evidences action taken to improve the promotion of the welfare of the children and the quality of care in the home. This has produced a specific detailed plan including response and timescale which has been effective, for example in medication monitoring. Regulation 34 monitoring is undertaken, but is in its early stages given the recent change to management.

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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

30 April 2010 ensure that all persons employed at the home receive appropriate training (including medication) (Regulation 27 (4)) 30 April 2010 make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received in the children's home (Regulation 21 (1)). 26 April 2010 ensure the home is conducted to promote and make proper provision for the welfare of children accommodated there (Regulation 11(1)) 30 April 2010 ensure that all persons employed at the home receive appropriate supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 27 (4)) 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037309

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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): • provide opportunities for all young people to plan, shop and prepare meals (NMS 10.1) • ensure that all procedures and guidance setting out the control, disciplinary and restraint measures (behaviour management plans) are consistent with the child's placement plan (NMS 22.2) • ensure that young people in the home know the content of their overall placement plan, according to their level of understanding (NMS 2.6) • ensure young people receive feedback following consultation (NMS 8.5) • support staff to receive the training necessary to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the home (NMS 31.1) • ensure the home is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers the best possible child care. (NMS 34.6) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC037309

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