Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

SC390293 Unique reference number 12 May 2010 Inspection date Robert Curr Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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25 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 8 Inspection Report: SC390293

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Brief description of the service

This setting provides up to three long-term placements for young people aged between 10 and 17 years. The accommodation consists of four single bedrooms and spacious communal areas for eating, studying and relaxing. The home is in a rural hamlet approximately five miles from the city centre. One of the main aims of the setting is to provide facilities to enable young people to achieve positive changes in their lives.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection. All of the key standards were checked and improvements made since the last inspection were noted.

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Summary

This is a good service. Young people's education is encouraged and promoted. Leisure needs are met and a multi-disciplinary approach ensures young people's views are taken into account when planning their future.

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Summary

A policy on equality and diversity is in place and the staff demonstrate an appreciation that individual young people may have a range of possible needs arising from diversity.

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Summary

Young people's welfare is enhanced by the positive relationships fostered by the staff team. Behaviour management is a notable area of strength. The service is closely monitored, thus enabling the registered provider to oversee the operation of the home.

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Summary

The level of experienced and competent staff supporting the young people is inconsistent. Not all staff have had refresher training at the recommended intervals and the aim to have the appropriate number of staff hold a National Vocational Qualification must be maintained. 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 the registered person was asked to take action in relation to aspects of being healthy and organisation. This included training in relation to medication and the monitoring of the young people's care and welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A number of staff have received training in the safe handling of medication to ensure all practices are appropriate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A Registered Manager has been appointed to the home and the proprietor undertakes monthly internal monitoring as part of the quality assurance system for the home; these reports are published and shared with the manager.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although good progress has been made in relation to staff training, National Vocational Qualification ratios do not meet current standards.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC390293 Young people have their health needs fully assessed on admission to the home. Staff are good at securing all the relevant information required to enable them to respond to any health needs that arise. Young people receive encouragement and support from staff to attend their routine medical appointments at suitable intervals. Prompt registration with local primary health care services helps to facilitate this and clearly written healthcare plans are completed to monitor young people's health and physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are offered food from different cultures and are involved in menu planning. There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available, although young people are of an age where they decide for themselves what and when they will eat. Staff recognise the potential impact of this on general health and well-being and work with young people to promote regular healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although young people are generally fit and healthy, they do take different forms of medication. There are sound procedures in place for staff to follow to ensure that young people are safeguarded in this respect. There are consent forms on file for young people to receive medical intervention if necessary. However, not all staff have received first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people have their privacy and confidentiality respected. The identity of visitors is checked and files are stored securely in a locked cabinet in the office. There is plenty of space in the home should young people want time away from other people, and young people have exclusive use of a bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective measures in place to ensure that young people are safeguarded. Staff are conversant with the circumstances under which child protection procedures should be invoked although not all staff have up-to-date training in relation to safeguarding. On admission young people are advised of the complaints procedure and they have access to a number of individuals outside of the home to whom they can voice any concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue at the home at this time. Young people stated that although they do not always get on with each other there is a zero-tolerance approach to bullying either within or outside of the home. Staff are pro-active in persuading young people not to run away from the home, but where these episodes occur they endeavour to keep in touch with young people and facilitate their safe return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from individualised positive handling plans. Staff work hard to establish positive relationships with young people and were observed using praise and encouragement to improve behaviour. Physical intervention is used when necessary as an option to manage behaviour and staff are trained in approved techniques. Staff keep records about any incidents or sanctions used to support behaviour management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire drills are undertaken when young people are first admitted to the home and thereafter at appropriate intervals. Fire equipment, emergency lighting and fire doors are also checked, and other environmental tests and risk assessments are also carried out. Individual risk assessments on young people's known or likely behaviours are comprehensive with clear guidance for staff about how to minimise and manage such risks. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC390293 There are sound procedures in place to protect young people from those unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups. Personnel files contain all the information required by these regulations and any issues arising during the interview process are discussed and risk assessed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Because staff secure as much information as possible from placing authorities and previous placements, young people are offered meaningful support from the first day of their admission to the home. In consultation with young people, staff make particular effort to identify young people's individual needs and the best way to help them to settle in and make progress. Effective communication between staff and clear recording mean that care plans are quickly implemented, which helps to improve outcomes for young people without delay.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home values education and achievement. There is thorough assessment of young people's educational needs and staff are good at supporting and encouraging young people to access the kind of resources which will best help them to enjoy and achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Close attention is paid to ensuring that placement plans fully reflect young people's needs. Staff present young people with plenty of opportunity to be involved in this process and they have regular opportunities to discuss their needs with staff. Specific requirements in relation to diversity and equality are also incorporated into the overall plan of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A rigorous and systematic review process is effective in highlighting young people's progress and in identifying any shortfalls or concerns. Contact with families is recognised as an important aspect of a young person's life and a means by which young people can have a positive sense of identify reinforced.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The nature of this placement and the good practice of staff mean that there is frequent dialogue with young people about their care, needs and wishes. They are offered the opportunity to participate in review meetings and voice any concerns they may have to either external contacts or the home's proprietor.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are provided with a range of information about how the home operates. Introductions to the home and the settling in period are managed well. There is clear recording of where young people have been previously accommodated and documentation in relation to the admissions and discharge process.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The opportunities provided for the young people to buy their own clothing and toiletries give them experience in expressing their individual preference and develop skills, such as budgeting, that will be essential throughout their life.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides warm, comfortable and spacious accommodation for young people. There is ample room for privacy as well as for communal activities. A running log for repairs is kept and this shows that any outstanding repairs are responded to within reasonable timescales. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC390293

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Management of the home is good and ensures that young people receive good quality care.

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Organisation

The home provides any referring professional with comprehensive information about the home in the form of the Statement of Purpose. Young people are equally well informed through a children's guide that helps to familiarise them with what they can expect from the service.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young people's cultural and religious needs are taken into account throughout the care planning and review process. Staff have a good understanding of individual needs and ensure that these are met on a practical level. Staff also promote good practice around equality and diversity in terms of attitude and example. Young people have access to a team that is balanced in terms of race, age, background and gender, and have access to services in a diverse local community.

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Organisation

Staffing levels are sufficient but do not fully ensure that young people's need for consistent support and supervision are met. A large number of bank staff are used and there has been a high staff turnover. The staff are in varying stages of achieving a qualification at National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. Currently the overall qualification recommendation is not met but appears to be on target.

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Organisation

New members of staff are provided with sound induction and work a period of probation, at the end of which they are assessed. Additional training is available to ensure staff are equipped to meet the individual and varied needs of young people, and staff receive regular supervision and attend team meetings. This ensures young people are cared for by staff with a range of skills and who are themselves adequately support.

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Organisation

There are a number of quality assurance processes, including monthly monitoring visits by the proprietor. The manager also produces a comprehensive monthly report that includes issues raised by key workers. Amongst some of the issues for inclusion are consultations with children and social workers and recording systems.

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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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Due date Action Standard

31 August 2010 ensure all staff receive appropriate training. (Regulation 27(4)(a))

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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): 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC390293 • ensure a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff complete a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent (NMS 29) • endeavour to make every effort to achieve continuity of the core staff team. (NMS 30.3) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC390293

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