Children's Home run by Blackford Education (schools) Ltd in Somerset

SC045096 Unique reference number 22 March 2010 Inspection date Debbi Flint Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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19 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 6 Inspection Report: SC045096

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Brief description of the service

This is a four bedroom children's home. The home is actually two adjacent bungalows affording young people a high degree of privacy. The home is located in a residential area with a range of shops and amenities nearby. There is provision for staff to sleep in both bungalows. The organisation provides its own education at a school in a nearby town. The home currently accommodates two young people who were not present at the time of this inspection.

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Summary

This statutory inspection was undertaken as an unannounced interim inspection. This was not a key inspection and not all key standards were assessed. The purpose of this inspection was to follow up the recommendations of the last inspection and to assess all key standards under the Every Child Matters outcome area of staying safe.

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Summary

The service was judged to be continuing to operate at a good standard overall. Young people's welfare is promoted by a competent staff team and there are sound policies and procedures in place to safeguard the young people. The Registered Manager was not working at the time of this inspection and the inspection was facilitated by a member of the senior management team.

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Summary

Three recommendations were made at this inspection. 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, four recommendations were made and these were: to ensure that at least four fire drills take place in a twelve month period; to ensure that all statutory reviews are recorded on a young person's file; to ensure that the damp on the ceiling of one shower room is investigated; and to ensure that a written record is kept in the home detailing each staff member's formal supervision. All these recommendations have been met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff are aware of the need to protect young people's privacy and they ensure that all care files are stored safely and securely. Staff do not enter young people's rooms without their permission and young people are in charge of their own private spaces. Young people have access to a digital cordless phone which they can use at any time. Bathroom doors can be locked but there is a facility whereby they can be opened in an emergency. However, this facility is currently not working on all locks and one lock is in need of repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good procedures in place to safeguard the young people. The home has a complaints policy which is detailed in the young person's guide. The telephone numbers of Ofsted and ChildLine are also listed in the guide. All complaints and their outcomes are recorded in a bound log. There has been one complaint since the last inspection and this has been appropriately 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC045096 resolved. Staff receive safeguarding training although two staff are currently due an update in this training. A copy of the Somerset Local Safeguarding Children's Board Child Protection Handbook is kept in the home and there is a child protection referral flowchart on the office wall. This ensures that staff are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of any allegation or disclosure. There have been no safeguarding referrals at this home since the last inspection. The home has an anti-bullying policy although this is not available in a child-friendly format.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no reported incidents of bullying since the last inspection. There have also been no incidents of absence without authority since the last inspection, although there are policies and procedures in place to deal with any incidents should they occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff state that they manage behaviour through the use of positive reinforcement and they try to steer clear of sanctions. There have been no sanctions recorded since the last inspection and any rewards given have been specific to the requests of each young person. The home has a policy on de-escalation and safe restraint, and all staff have received training in non violent crisis intervention. While there have been some incidents of restraint since the last inspection, these incidents involved a young person who has since left the home. There have been no incidents of restraint which have involved current residents and evidence suggests that current residents are developing socially acceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has risk assessments in place for both fire and the environment. There are no noticeable hazards and the environment is safe and secure. All fire alarms are tested on a two-weekly basis and there are regular fire drills. There are rigorous procedures in place for the selection and vetting of staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. This outcome area is not fully assessed and the judgement remains as at the last inspection. At the last inspection a recommendation was made that the home should ensure that the results of all statutory reviews are recorded on each young person's file. Young people's review packs are held on their individual case files and the outcomes of their reviews are recorded. The minutes of young people's reviews are placed on their files when they are received from the local authority. The recommendation is, therefore, met.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. This outcome area is not fully assessed and the judgement remains as at the last inspection. At the last inspection a recommendation was made to ensure that the damp on the ceiling of one shower room be investigated. There is now no damp in any of the bathrooms or shower rooms and the recommendation is met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. This outcome area is not fully assessed and the judgement remains as at the last inspection. At the last inspection a recommendation was made that a written schedule of all staff supervision 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC045096 should be kept in the home. A schedule of supervision is now kept in the home and the recommendation is met.

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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 two members of staff receive an update in safeguarding training (NMS 17.8). • ensure that the policy on bullying is available to children in user-friendly form (NMS 18.3). • investigate the bathroom locks to ensure they provide both privacy and safety. (NMS 25.4) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC045096

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