Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

SC044880 Unique reference number 29 March 2010 Inspection date Paul Taylor Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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10 November 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: SC044880

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Brief description of the service

The service has two Registered Managers. Young people with a learning difficulty stay at this home. It is divided into two separate sections and has a total of eight single bedrooms in all. Up to five young people can be accommodated for residential short breaks in one section of the unit and a further three young people in the other section of the unit; two of the young people in this section are permanent residents. There are communal areas which include lounges, kitchen/dining rooms, a sensory room, a soft play room and a large garden, which has numerous pieces of play equipment.

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Summary

At this unannounced inspection the key standards in the area of staying safe were assessed. The home continues to provide an excellent standard of care to the young people. The systems operated in the home, combined with detailed and individual planning and a committed and alert staff team, ensure that the well-being and safety of the young people is protected and promoted to an excellent standard.

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Summary

One recommendation was made as a result of this inspection. 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

At the last inspection a recommendation was made relating to ensuring that at least 80% of the staff team have achieved the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. The home continues to offer a rolling programme of this training and the amount of staff who have this qualification has increased. As yet the ratio of 80% has not been achieved. The recommendation remains.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Privacy is respected and promoted by the staff team and confidential information is stored securely. Detailed individual protocols ensure that when young people are assisted by staff members with personal care that this is carried out in a sensitive manner which promotes their safety while preserving their dignity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people's handbook outlines their right to complain and to whom this can be addressed. The learning difficulties of some of the young people means that they might not understand what constitutes a formal complaint. The members of staff use their knowledge of the young people, underpinned by detailed care plans and information from relevant others, such as parents and professionals, to ensure that they understand how the young people make their feelings known. The right of young people to voice their opinions is promoted and valued to a very high standard. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC044880 A robust approach towards child protection ensures that young people have their safety and well-being promoted to an excellent standard. Staff receive appropriate induction and training in key safeguarding matters with sound policies and procedures in place. Staff display a good understanding of child protection issues and are aware of what to do in the event that they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

have concerns about a young person's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff are very aware of the behaviours and dynamics in the young people's group at any one time. This means that any issues which may cause distress or disruption can be proactively managed. The cognitive disabilities of the young people means that not all of them necessarily understand the concept of bullying. Those young people who do understand what constitutes bullying have group meetings and agree within their group how they will behave towards one another and how to resolve conflict should it arise. This approach ensures that high levels of mutual respect and caring for one another are promoted to enable a positive and safe culture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff are very aware of the young people's extreme vulnerability in the event that they go missing. Therefore, the need to closely supervise them to ensure their safety is embedded in the practice of the home. There is very clear guidance and an emergency protocol for staff to follow if a young person is missing. The alertness of the staff combined with thorough risk assessments and clear working practices ensures that no young people have gone missing from the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their challenging and risky behaviours assessed, planned for and reviewed. Comprehensive behaviour management plans and risk assessments are compiled which highlight all possible concerns. Each young person has their particular issues identified and strategies to use highlighted in their care plans. Input from parents, social workers and health professionals such as psychologists ensure that the quality of the plans is of a very high standard. Such plans clearly guide staff in how to respond to and support each young person and thus provide a consistent approach. Additionally, each young person has an agreed physical intervention risk assessment completed and endorsed by parents and professionals. This document sets out the measures to be used in the event that a young person needs to be physically controlled. All members of staff are trained in the method of restraint used in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If physical restraint is used, a record is kept of the incident and this is also checked by the manager and senior managers to ensure that the use of physical intervention was appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The imposition of sanctions is rare. If a young person has been assessed as understanding specific sanctions, then a record is maintained when they have been used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are made with regards to the premises and activities in which the young people partake. They are regularly reviewed and updated. Additionally, individual risk assessments are completed on the young people with regards to their behaviour and potential vulnerability in certain situations, such as going missing, travelling in cars or using play equipment. The risk assessments ensure that the staff team are prepared to undertake activities in a safe and well organised manner and that the risks to the young people are minimised without depriving them of stimulating and enjoyable experiences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular checks of the premises and safety equipment, such as fire alarms, are carried out. External professionals also underpin these checks with their own checks and tests. Fire drills also occur on a regular basis and individual personal emergency evacuation plans are in place 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC044880 for all the young people. The evacuation plans take into account their learning difficulties and vulnerability in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation has a thorough recruitment process which ensures that any prospective member of staff does not start work until all necessary checks have been completed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The systems operated by the home and the alertness and commitment of the staff team ensures that the young people's safety and well-being is protected and promoted to a very high standard.

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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): • continue to work towards ensuring that at least 80% of the staff team achieve National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. (NMS 29). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC044880

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