Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

SC033367 Unique reference number 25 May 2010 Inspection date Michael McCleave Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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21 September 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: SC033367

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Brief description of the service

The home can accommodate six young people aged 10 to 17 years. It is a home for children who are vulnerable, and for different reasons are unable to live with their families. The home is a purpose built two storey detached house run by the local authority.

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Brief description of the service

The first floor of the house has individual children's bedrooms with hand wash basins, bathroom, toilets and shower room. The ground floor has a lounge, kitchen with dining area, utility room, computer room, staff office and manager's office. A conservatory at the rear of the house provides an additional lounge area. There is an enclosed grassed garden to the rear and front of the house. To the side of the house is driveway with car parking for several cars. The home is approximately 10 minutes bus ride from the town centre. There are general shops at the end of the road and the home is on a bus route. A secondary school is in walking distance and leisure facilities, such as the cinema and swimming baths are a bus ride away.

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Summary

At this unannounced inspection, all key standards were inspected.

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Summary

The young people are well cared for at this home by a team of motivated and committed staff. The individual needs of young people are clearly recorded in their case files. The young people are supported by staff to attend school and the role of the education champion is being developed to improve the liaison with teachers. The programme of work set by schools when a young person is excluded requires improving and will be addressed by the education champion.

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Summary

The safeguarding of young people is managed well and young people feel safe living at the home. No issues of concern were reported by young people.

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Summary

The home provides the young people with a comfortable environment to live. They are encouraged to take an active part in decisions about aspects of daily life such as activities, trips out and issues that need to be discussed.

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Summary

The organisation of the home is sound and the promotion of equality and diversity is good. 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

There was one recommendation made at the last interim inspection asking the manager to update the statement of purpose to include staff details. This has been addressed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. There is an emphasis on healthy eating at the home and young people are given choices each meal time. They are encouraged to take part in food shops as part of their planning for independence. Young people said, 'food here is very good and we can have our say about the menu'. Meals from different cultures are often prepared by staff. Chinese, Asian and Caribbean meals are particularly popular. The cultural mix of the staff ensures that a variety of meals are 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC033367 provided. The young people are encouraged to take an interest in the origins of a particular meal thereby promoting an understanding of diversity. This is good practice. Any specialist diets would be met including those required by religious needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health care needs of all young people are appropriately met. They are registered with a doctor and have access to dental care. Health information is recorded in case files and any specialist health needs are identified in these records. The looked-after-children’s nurse provides the young people with advice and guidance on personal health issues including sexual matters. All medication is stored in a secure cabinet located in the office and records of prescribed and household remedies are appropriately maintained. Staff will spend personal time with young people to ensure that they understand their health plans. The health of young people is positively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people enjoy single occupancy rooms and each have their own key. There are areas in the home where they can relax and meet in private if they wish. All confidential and sensitive information is kept in the locked office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information about how to make a complaint is contained in the welcome pack given to young people when they initially move into the home. A restorative justice approach is used to deal with issues rather than resorting to more formal processes. Young people are aware of how to make a formal complaint and they will always receive a written response confirming the outcome. However, the records do not currently evidence if the young person agrees with this outcome or not. The local authority intranet enables young people to make a complaint electronically and support for young people can be provided by the children's rights service.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no current safeguarding issues being experienced at the home and staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow should any allegations or suspicions of abuse be evident. All staff are required to complete mandatory child protection training and this is also included in the induction training for new staff. The protection of the young people is appropriately managed and this promotes their safety and wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a clear awareness among staff that within in a group setting, bullying can take place. Young people confirm that staff will respond quickly should a situation become evident. A restorative justice based approach utilising discussion between the parties is commonly used to try and resolve these incidents, and to make the bully understand the consequences of their actions. The home has an anti-bullying project in place to increase awareness among young people about how to respect each others differences and to develop tolerance. Certificates are awarded to those who take part in the project.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Incidents of young people who go absent without authority are not a common feature. Procedures are nevertheless in place and staff know the actions to take if required. Previous incidents indicate that staff responded appropriately in line with these procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A restorative justice based approach is the preferred method used to deal with any misbehaviour rather than resorting to physical restraint. In the event that restraint has to be used, all staff have received training in this technique. Young people feel that staff deal fairly with any misbehaviour. Sanctions tend to be reflected in monetary terms to pay for damages. Detailed 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC033367 records are maintained of physical interventions and for sanctions that have been imposed. These measures are aimed at encouraging young people to behave reasonably living in a group setting and to keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are addressed through the range of checks that are periodically carried out. There is evidence to confirm that domestic appliances and the gas system have been checked. Risk assessments identify hazards and indicate actions to take, in order to minimise the risk to staff and young people. Fire drills and full evacuations are practiced. These measures promote the safety of staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home follows the local authority recruitment procedures when selecting staff. All required checks are carried out before an appointment is confirmed. In addition new staff are required to undergo a probationary period to assess their suitability for residential care work with young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people say that staff provide them with good support. This is reflected in the daily reports and from reviews of the work undertaken with the young people. There is good access to health resources through the visiting nurse and other professionals. Where required, support is readily available for young people to practice their religious beliefs. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the individual needs of the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Much positive effort is put in by staff to support young people to be in full time education. The home has a quiet room that is equipped with a computer, desk and chairs to enable school work to be completed during any period of school exclusion. A small supply of academic books is also located in this room. The bedrooms each have a good quality desk and chair. In order to enhance the profile of education, the home has appointed a member of staff to act as an education champion. The role is to establish strong links with schools and to develop partnerships in order to ensure that young people in care, gain maximum benefit from their education. One area that will be developed by the champion is the lack of work set by a school when a young person is excluded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All young people have detailed documentation indicating their plans and how outcomes are being achieved. These are updated regularly by key workers as they meet with young people to review progress being made. Staff have a clear understanding of each young person and of their care needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Statutory reviews are carried out in line with requirements. Young people are encouraged to participate fully in all reviews and to make a written contribution to this process. They can complete a report electronically on the local authority intranet and send it off to the reviewing officer. Their involvement in the actual review is strongly encouraged and if required, an interpreter will be provided if English is not their first language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Arrangements are in place for young people to maintain contact with their families. A pay phone is located in a private room and an allowance is paid each week to enable them to top 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC033367 up their mobile phones. These measures support young people to keep in touch with families, friends and others who play an important part in their lives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged to take an active role in the daily life of the home. Weekly house meetings are chaired by the young people. These sessions enable the young people and staff to meet and to discuss issues affecting life in the home. Planning for trips out and activities are also discussed. A recent meeting looked at the plans for developing a flower garden and who would clean up the cigarette ends at the front of the house. Young people generally feel positive about being listened to and having their views put forward. They are accepting that they may not always get their own way but generally feel that they do have a role to play in the life of the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Preparing to move into independence is a major change for young people. Staff are aware of the sensitivities during this process and they work to ensure that the young person is fully involved throughout the process. An informative document designed by a member of staff, describes the planning for independence process. This is given to young people and explains in clear language what each stage of the planning means for the young person. This is very good practice. An area of concern among care staff is the lack of quality time spent by social workers with the young person due to other demands on their time.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides the young people with individual bedroom accommodation that is appropriately furnished. Showers and toilet facilities are located in close proximity to the bedrooms. These are clean and well maintained. On the ground floor, a lounge with wide screen television provides the young people with a comfortable place to relax and to socialise. Attached to the lounge is a large conservatory offering an additional social area where games can be played. All meals are taken in the combined kitchen dining area.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. There is a positive approach taken to ensuring that young people and staff demonstrate respect for cultural and personal differences. The staff team will challenge racist comments and encourage young people to appreciate and respect each other. Support is provided to those who wish to practice their religion and specialist diets will be catered for. Themed meals representing different cultures are popular. Where English is not a young person’s primary language, an interpreter will be provided to ensure that they are able to participate fully in meetings.

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Organisation

The statement of purpose outlines what services the home will provide for the young people. This document includes a commitment to anti-discriminatory practices.

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Organisation

There is a full staff team in post supported by a Registered Manager and two deputies. This is an experienced team who receive regular supervision from the managers. Information is shared between members of staff to ensure that young people are cared for in a safe environment. Young people have a good relationship with staff and some commented, 'we get on well with staff. They are about all of the time if we need to speak to them'. 'We don't always get our own way'. Each shift period has a leader who is experienced and qualified. The home is well on 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC033367 the way to having a fully qualified team at National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. This is commendable. During out of hours shifts management back up support is available. These measures ensure that staff are properly supervised thereby enhancing the safety of the young people.

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Organisation

Ongoing training and development for staff is provided by the local authority. Mandatory training in child protection and behaviour management has been completed by staff, with the exception of the recent new appointment.

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Organisation

The management team monitor all key records as listed in the regulations. This is complemented by the monthly inspection undertaken by an independent officer under regulation 33 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. This internal and external monitoring of the home ensures close monitoring of standards in order to provide the young people with a safe place to live.

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Organisation

The information about each young person is kept in case files and these detail the care needs of each young person. These records are well maintained. Staff have a good knowledge of each young person based on the information contained in these files.

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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 young people’s view of the outcome of their complaint is recorded. (NMS 16.3) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC033367

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