Children's Home run by Wessex College Limited in Wiltshire

SC037596 Unique reference number 26 March 2010 Inspection date Gaynor Moorey Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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15 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 6 Inspection Report: SC037596

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Brief description of the service

The home is part of a larger organisation; it is registered to accommodate four young people aged between 11 and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is situated in a rural area and offers single room accommodation to each young person.

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Summary

This unannounced random inspection took place on a week day. The purpose of the visit was to review staying safe and any actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Summary

An outstanding standard of care is provided with the support of the manager and an experienced staff team. The staff promote the safety of the young people by following clear and comprehensive guidance, policies and procedures. 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

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff continue to ensure that children's confidentiality and privacy is respected and safeguarded by knocking on bedroom doors and making and receiving telephone calls in private. Confidential information relating to each young person is kept in an appropriate locked facility. Staff receive guidance on the confidentiality of information.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures are in place to safeguard and promote the children's welfare. Complaints are dealt with effectively and appropriately due to effective communication, attentive staff, and close supervision. Staff enable young people to make a complaints. Staff are pro-active in seeking out the views and concerns of young people by the use of one-to-one sessions and resident's meetings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive child protection training within their induction programme. They complete subsequent refresher courses during their employment in order to have clear insight into dealing with such issues. The home has a clear policy when dealing with child protection which includes up to date safeguarding guidance. The home was seen to be operating outstanding systems when dealing with child protection issues whether historical or current. Detailed documentation and chronologies show how issues are dealt with both comprehensively and appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operates a policy of zero tolerance towards bullying and the young people are made aware of the guidance on admission. Bullying continues to be dealt with in an appropriate manner. The young people have behaviour management plans which looks at any potential 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037596 issues related to bullying behaviour. Any issues arising in the home can be dealt with on either a group or individual basis, using restorative justice where possible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a policy and procedure for reporting young people who are absent without authority. Records of absence without authority show a slight increase in the number of incidents since the last inspection. Staff are provided with clear guidance to address such situations with robust risk assessments in place to highlight any concerns the young people may pose to themselves or others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records examined indicated that serious incidents are reported as required by regulation. The manager confirmed that serious incidents are investigated and they also involve other agencies. The home keeps all agencies informed, where appropriate, of all follow up information to any significant incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respond positively to acceptable behaviour. Sanctions are recorded in a dedicated book and also in the main file. Records show no increase in the use of sanctions. The sanctions given are permissible and mainly relate to a loss of some pocket money.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff receive training in the use of physical restraint. The home has a policy which offers guidance to staff in regard to behaviour management and restraint. The young people have risk assessments in place to look at any risky behaviour, these are contained within their behaviour management plans. Staff encourage acceptable behaviour and restraint records show that staff respond appropriately in managing these situations. Staff support young people with their behaviour through one-to-one sessions and daily group meetings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Areas of potential risk for the young people are assessed and the young people are safeguarded, where possible, from harm. The home has documentation related to risk assessing activities, holidays, fire risk and the environment. Records demonstrate that the home's fire alarm system is tested regularly and evacuation exercises carried out. Clear systems are in place and checks could be seen from outside agencies and from the home's monitoring system.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff records indicated that staff are subject to an excellent comprehensive recruitment process and records demonstrated that all had undertaken required safety checks. Agency staff are vetted by their agency and details forwarded to the home. Young people are protected and cared for by appropriate people because of the safety checks and documentation that is maintained on staff.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037596

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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

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC037596

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