Children's Home run by Shropshire Council in Shropshire

SC382730 Unique reference number 14 May 2010 Inspection date Jacqui Gosling Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

28 September 2009 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC382730

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home provides short-term placements for four young people of either gender, aged between 11 and 16. Placements are normally for 12 weeks but up to a maximum of 16 weeks in exceptional circumstances. The home aims to provide an accurate assessment of all young people based on the staff team’s observations while the young person is living at the home. Staff work with the young people using a restorative approach, where appropriate, to enable them to take responsibility for their own actions, thereby, developing a positive atmosphere and building stronger relationships between all in the home. Currently four young people are living here.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home has six bedrooms, four for young people and two for staff sleeping in. All but one staff sleeping in room has en suite toilet and shower facilities. There is a large well equipped bathroom, which provides a choice of bathing options for young people. There are two offices, a staff office downstairs and the manager's office upstairs. There is a lounge with television and DVD player, a computer and quiet homework room, a kitchen and a dining room. The home is set in a rural location and has a large garden for young people to play in.

p.4

Summary

This is an unannounced key inspection. All key standards in all outcome areas are assessed. Two young people gave their views on living here. The inspection also considers how the home is managed, how staff are supported and good practice recommendations made following the last inspection.

p.4

Summary

Young people are fully involved in their care planning and decision making processes and feel confident about contributing their views to the running of the home. They enjoy positive relationships with staff which helps them to feel settled and to make good progress. Staff are consistent in their approach to young people and behaviour is managed at the lowest level, which indicates that staff are successful in the positive way that they work with the young people.

p.4

Summary

Young people are cared for safely by a competent team of staff, who work well together and who are supported by clear policies and procedures, supervision and relevant training. Staff encourage young people to develop a healthy lifestyle and work hard to ensure that they are able to pursue and achieve to their individual potential. Staff also support young people to maintain positive relationships with their families and significant others.

p.4

Summary

The overall quality rating for the home remains good, with the manager being required to take steps in relation to five good practice recommendations. These relate to: the need to obtain consent from the person with parental responsibility for the administration of 'homely' remedies; ensuring young people are given medication as prescribed for them; ensuring young people sign the room search log when they are present during a search; ensure plans reflect individual identity in relation to gender, disability, religion, racial, cultural, linguistic and/or sexual orientation and ensure statutory reviews take place within required timescales. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Action has been taken to partly address the five good practice recommendations made at the last inspection. This includes ensuring that sanctions are not unreasonable and imposition of a financial penalty is only for reason of reparation or restitution.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Staff now receive at least one and a half hours of one-to-one supervision from a senior member of staff each month and new staff receive one-to-one supervision at least fortnightly during the first six months of their employment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The record of room searches has improved, but still does not give young people the opportunity to sign the record if they are present as required. Therefore, the recommendation remains.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation to develop detailed plans as to how the home can help young people develop individual identity in relation to gender, disability, religious, racial, cultural or linguistic background or sexual orientation remains unmet and a further recommendation is made.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

No young people are currently administering their own medication, therefore, the recommendation is removed.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that meet their dietary and health needs. The cook offers all young people the opportunity to join her in the kitchen and this encourages them to participate in the preparation, cooking and serving of meals. Some young people say 'they enjoy cooking'. Staff complete training in food hygiene as required. The staff and young people plan fortnightly cultural evenings, which includes a meal from a different culture, a quiz, and information on the chosen culture. This also includes different geographical regions of Britain. This encourages young people to be aware that they live in a multi-cultural society.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The health and care needs of young people are identified and updated regularly. A clear plan for each young person details how their specific and general health issues are to be addressed. All young people are registered with the required health professionals.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Staff, in partnership with the person with parental responsibility, actively seek out further services when required to meet the needs of the young people. For example, the child and adolescent mental health service. Other agencies visit the home on a regular basis to give advice and support on a range of health and social issues. This means that overall young people receive care that actively promotes their well-being and health.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Some medication records show that there are occasions when staff do not fully complete the paperwork and correct timescales for administering prescribed medication have not always been adhered to. This potentially negates the reason why the medication was prescribed and depending on the medication could impact significantly on the young person.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The files for the young people contain signed medical consent forms from the person with parental responsibility for vaccinations, preventative inoculations, medical intervention and include the administration of first aid. The well-being of young people is further promoted by staff undertaking training in first aid. A local General Practitioner advises what 'homely' remedies 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730 the home can use. However, the home does not obtain consent for the administration of this medication as required.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home has effective policies, procedures and care practices, which ensure that young people are cared for safely. For example, risk assessments and support plans ensure that staff have appropriate strategies in place to protect young people. Young people say that they 'feel safe in the home.' They are protected from potential abuse because staff are properly trained and have a good understanding of the home's procedures for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people say that they do not believe that bullying is an issue in the home, but that if there is a problem, 'staff deal with it.' The privacy and confidentiality of young people is properly respected. Young people have individual en suite bedrooms, where they can be private and where they can keep their personal possessions safe. There is a telephone room where they can have private telephone conversations if this is part of their care plan. There are clear reasons to show that when room searches occur staff follow correct procedures. However, when young people are present during the search they also need to sign the record.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a very clear complaints procedure which is made known to young people when they come to live in the home. Young people clearly understand how to make a formal complaint and say that they feel confident about letting staff know if they are unhappy with any aspect of their care. In addition, a member of an independent advocacy service visits the home if requested and also attend young people's meetings occasionally. This ensures that young people have access to someone outside the home who they can talk to.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a robust protocol for managing unauthorised absences to keep young people safe. Staff encourage young people to let them know where they will be when they leave the home and keep in touch with them by phone if they are away. Individual risk assessments identify the specific issues in relation to unauthorised absences which staff need to consider. If a young person goes missing, staff work closely with police and other agencies to help ensure the safe return of the young person to the home.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a strong emphasis in the home on recognising and rewarding positive behaviour and effort. Staff develop positive relationships with young people and help them to learn to manage their own behaviour in a way that is socially acceptable. Staff are trained to manage challenging behaviour including the use of restraints. There have been no incidents of physical restraint in the home since the last inspection which indicates that staff are successful in the positive way that they work with young people.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management of health and safety processes is excellent. This helps to protect young people from the risk of harm or injury in the home. Equipment and installations are serviced regularly and there are regular fire safety tests. Young people take part in regular evacuation drills so that they understand what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency. Risk assessments on the environment and on activities that young people may be involved in are robust and are regularly reviewed to make sure that information is up to date. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730 The identity of all visitors to the home is checked before they are allowed in and protect young people as it ensures that unauthorised individuals are not able to gain access to the home.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The progress and development of young people is well documented in their files and shows how the young people are supported throughout their stay. For example, young people are provided with regular opportunities to spend individual time with their key worker. The home's records show that these sessions provide young people with the opportunity to talk about particular issues relevant to them as individuals and to receive support and guidance consistent with their needs. Staff know the young people well and are able to respond to them in a way that considers and respects them as individuals. External services are requested as necessary to meet the needs of individual young people. For example, the children and adolescent mental health service.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Some of young people currently living at the home are not able to attend a formal education facility. Therefore, staff have the support of education welfare officers who liaise with the local authority Education Department and Looked After Child in Education Service and other agencies to try to ensure young people receive an education in line with their age, educational needs, interests and potential. Staff also ensure young people have informal educational opportunities and support the young people to complete their education homework.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All young people are supported and encouraged to participate in hobbies and activities of their choice within and outside of the home. Staff ensure that there is a correct balance between supervised and unsupervised time. This is risk assessed and takes into consideration the age, gender, abilities and interests of the young people.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives. All young people are assisted to communicate their views in discussion with their key carers and during young people's meetings. They can also request a visit from an independent advocacy service if they do not wish to discuss particular subjects with the staff at the home.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are well supported by staff at the time of their admission to the home, with young people receiving clear guidance regarding the routines of the home, the home's expectation of them and what they can expect from staff. However, when young people are placed following a breakdown in their previous placements, it is important that the local authority arrange for their statutory reviews to be held within 28 days of their placements to ensure their current placement plans address all their needs.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Records show that staff have a proactive approach to working with external agencies and other professionals. Consequently, all young people receive the individualised care they need while living at the home.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

In accordance with their care plans all young people are encouraged to maintain contact with members of their families. Staff clearly understand how important communication and contact 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730 with their family is for the young people and support their contact arrangements. The records indicate and some of the young people say that they 'do not feel isolated from their family'.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has recently implemented the practice of formally seeking feedback from young people, their families and other agencies once they have left the home. This is good practice and the feedback received to date shows that the support the young people receive when they are living at the home is appreciated by all.

p.8

Helping children make a positive contribution

Significant time is taken to build relationships between the staff and young people. Staff have clear expectations of appropriate behaviour. Young people are observed to freely initiate interaction and seek help from the various staff members on duty.

p.8

Helping children make a positive contribution

The well-being of young people is positively promoted as they are all allocated a key carer to ensure that their continuing care needs are met. Their views are ascertained formally during meetings with their key carer and at young people's meetings and on an informal basis every day. Therefore, young people benefit from receiving support from staff that is focused on their needs and achievements.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The home is set in an outstanding rural setting. It is however, near enough to a large town to allow the young people to be able to use public transport to access local leisure facilities and visit friends.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

There are photographs of the young people and collages of their trips and activities are displayed. This helps create a pleasant domestic style environment that gives young people a sense of belonging.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are provided with a range of opportunities, which include practical activities and domestic routines to help them develop their independent living skills. All young people confirm that they are encouraged to go shopping and supported by staff to choose their own clothes.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy the benefit of living in a home that is designed, decorated and furnished to offer a homely environment. The home offers sufficient space to meet the different care needs of all the young people and ensure that their privacy is not compromised.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a well-maintained house that benefits from regular maintenance. There are effective precautions to ensure the security of the home from access by unauthorised persons, which do not compromise or have an adverse effect on the care of young people.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation is good. Young people, parents and staff have access to a Statement of Purpose and young people's guide, which outlines the principles, practice and the services that they can expect from the home.

p.8

Organisation

The manager ensures that young people live in a home that is well organised around their needs. In discussion, staff show that they are aware of and understand the stated aims and objectives of the service which are consistent with the Statement of Purpose. Young people 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730 are well advised about what the home does through information given to them in a child-friendly booklet. The home has the ability to have the leaflet changed into another language if a non English speaking child is accommodated.

p.8

Organisation

There is a clear staffing structure with clear lines of accountability in the home. The home has clear deputising arrangements and there is a formal on-call system if additional support is needed. Staff duty rotas and the manner in which staff are deployed, confirm that there are sufficient staff on the duty at all times. Staff are supported by senior members of staff who are sufficiently experienced and competent to lead the shift.

p.9

Organisation

Staff supervision is undertaken as required and covers all the required topics. Staff undertake a comprehensive training programme which includes all mandatory training as well as further training to ensure they can meet the needs of the young people admitted to the home. For example assessment and attachment training.

p.9

Organisation

There are systems in place to monitor the daily lives of the young people currently living in the home. Regulation 33 visits are undertaken monthly to monitor the overall care and welfare of the young people. The reports assess the records and physical environment to ensure the home is a good environment for young people. The manager also undertakes effective and comprehensive monitoring of all the files and records as required.

p.9

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The individual records for the young people in the home are comprehensive, their needs, development and progress are recorded to reflect their individuality. They contain a range of information about young people's history and progress, which matches the requirements set out in Children's Homes Regulations 2001.

p.9

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.

p.9

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure prior written permission has been obtained from a person with parental responsibility for each young person for the administration of appropriate non-prescription medication (national minimum standard 13.4) • ensure young people are given medication as prescribed for them, specifically for the time prescribed and there are no unexplained gaps in the paperwork (national minimum standard 13.7) • ensure a record of all room searches, which includes all relevant information, is kept for inspection, specifically if young people are present during the search they should sign the record (NMS 9.8) 9 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730 • ensure plans reflect individual identity in relation to gender, disability, religious, racial, cultural or linguistic background or sexual orientation (NMS 7.6)

p.9

Recommendations

• ensure requests are made for emergency or statutory reviews to take place when they are due, if the placing authority has not arranged the review, specifically where a young person's care plan has unexpectedly changed. (NMS 3.3) 10 of 10 Inspection Report: SC382730

p.10