Children's Home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Kent

SC037309 Unique reference number 10 May 2010 Inspection date Helen Lee Inspector Key Type of 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 10 Inspection Report: SC037309

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Brief description of the service

The home is a purpose-built house registered as a children's home to provide care and accommodation for seven young people aged between eight and 17 years. The home is located within rural grounds. The young people either attend the home's school, within the grounds, or a local mainstream school. A garden surrounds the home, providing recreational space for the young people.

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Summary

This is a satisfactory home with five outcome areas judged as satisfactory and one judged as good. At this unannounced full inspection all outcome areas and organisation were assessed and the action taken by the home to meet the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection was reviewed.

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Summary

The levels of staffing have been adversely affected by sickness and staff absence. This, and the subsidiary effects, was an important issue for the staff. The management team is working hard to address this. Management are aware of these areas and are beginning to implement strategies for the staff and management group. The home's rating had dropped from satisfactory to inadequate previously due to the failure of one of the management team to keep a child safe following an allegation.

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Summary

Three requirements are carried over as they remain unmet at this inspection, regarding staff supervision, staff training and the administration of medication. Four new actions to meet requirements are made at this inspection regarding recruitment information, the appointment of a Registered Manager, Regulation 33 visits and quality assurance systems. There are 15 recommendations made relating to meals, health plans, health promotion, temperature monitoring, safeguarding, policies, placement plans, consultation with young people, effectiveness of placement assessment, children's finances and budgeting, individual support levels, leisure interests, contact arrangements, competence of staff and appropriate action to be taken on issues of concern raised through Regulation 33 visits. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Several areas following the interim inspection have been improved. One previous requirement is met regarding safeguarding. Staff and management spoken with evidenced a high level of work to meet this requirement effectively. A number of recommendations were made at the previous inspection, and those which have not been addressed given the short timescale between inspections, have been reset at this inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Mealtimes are sociable occasions, whereby staff, children and young people positively engage and interact with each other. The kitchen is well equipped and stocked with fresh fruit and produce. It is a clean and safe environment which is readily accessible to the young people. The children are encouraged to eat a healthy balanced diet and their specific dietary needs are 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309 attended to. The children are given opportunities to plan, shop for and prepare the Sunday meal. Some of the children express the desire to cook more meals throughout the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a health section in the placement plan, which reflects the information from the looked after child placement plan, review meetings and the referral notes. Medical consent forms are completed. There are systems in place to promote good health; however, these are not consistently recorded as one young person's required immunisation appointments could not be evidenced. It is difficult to ascertain how the identified health targets are achieved as the evidence is spread across many documents. Through discussion with the manager and the staff, it is evident that the children and young people are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. The children and young people confirmed that they are supported with health matters and attendance at appointments. There are references within one-to-one session reports, daily logs and incident reports to support evidence of the implementation of the health policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and young people benefit from professional assessment of their psychological and emotional health, the outcome and findings of which inform and contribute to behaviour strategies, education plans, and day-to-day contact and support.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication treatments for internal and external application are stored in separate compartments. Audits of medication demonstrated that medication was stored safely and securely and disposed of in line with the home's policy. However, the fridge was not at the correct temperature set by the home's policy and this had been consistently monitored as correct by staff. Only five staff have recently received medication administration training and this compromises safety. An example of this includes one record sheet covering 10 days of administering which had 12 amendments on it, and another also had numerous amendments as well as a missing signature. Also, some duplicate medication was not recorded as received by the home and was found unused in the fridge. The manager is planning to access a higher level of accredited training for the management team of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Each young person has their own room and their right to personal space is respected. The staff request permission from the children and young people to enter their room. They confirm their privacy is protected and respected. Confidential information is securely stored and staff members demonstrate a clear understanding of the home's policies and guidance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are able to clearly describe the home's complaints procedure. Written records indicate no formal complaints being made since the last inspection. Children and young people say this is because they don't need to use this process. Comments include, 'talk to an adult and they sort it out.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The child protection policy is dated April 2007 and includes some outdated references. Staff spoken with have a good understanding of their duties in relation to protecting children and young people from harm and what they need to do to fulfil these duties. The home's child protection systems are generally good with clear and appropriate procedures to follow. However, following the unacceptable delay regarding the response made to an allegation or suspicion of abuse, the manager has implemented several monitoring strategies to further improve this area. These have been effective in practice since their recent implementation, for example, 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309 there are six entries on the child protection log and they have all been satisfactorily addressed with appropriate notifications made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staying safe matters requiring action by the manager through the Regulation 33 or Regulation 34 have been addressed, for example, retrospective completion of absence records. Young people stated that they feel safe with the staff. Comments include "I do not feel safe all the time" and "all the adults keep me safe". Safeguarding training remains outstanding for all staff, although evidence was seen of this having been booked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people refer to bullying as 'not being a problem' and relationships between young people are positive. Staff know how to use the home's procedures and work in tandem with other relevant agencies, for example schools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour. The new managerial monitoring systems ensure children and young people are protected from inappropriate sanctions and restraints. There is a developing consistency regarding what constitutes an effective sanction for individuals. There are some good behaviour management strategies in place, including appropriate physical intervention strategies. For example, a record is maintained for each child, outlining clear routines and expectations of behaviour and strategies for staff, which they know and use effectively. Although, where necessary, sanctions are applied as a consequence of inappropriate behaviour, there is a positive approach to encouraging good behaviour. Children and young people view the imposed sanctions as fair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is careful police vetting of all staff and there is monitoring of visitors to prevent children being exposed to potential abusers. The recruitment files contain all the necessary information required to demonstrate that a selection process is implemented. However, detailed dates were not on record, in order to evidence a full employment history rather than allowing candidates to put years and qualifications were not verified. Furthermore, evidence of the verification of the reason why the employment or position ended was not on the staff files, when a person had previously worked in a position whose duties involved work with children or vulnerable adults as per Schedule 2. Visitors to the home have their identity checked and verified and the visitors' book is routinely monitored by the manager as an added safeguard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home that provides a safe and secure environment. Action is taken to help ensure hazards and risks are managed safely. Safe working practices are established. The building and facilities are maintained to a suitable standard. Fire safety systems are routinely checked and serviced, and now records which staff or young people have been included in a drill.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive appropriate and individualised support. For example, staff provide positive interaction, support and guidance to children when they need it. The home is aware of, and works with, other professionals and agencies relevant to each young person's needs and circumstances. Advocacy is sought for each child should it be necessary. Alongside informal guidance and assistance provided by the daily contact with staff, young people receive one-to-one time to cover any aspect of their support and development needs. However, young people, staff and records confirm that this has been irregular and infrequent. The staff spoke enthusiastically about the work they undertake with the young people. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309 The children's education is positively promoted and developed by the home. Records show that the children are encouraged to access education and are able to participate in any other

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

educational activities. The staff are keen to promote independence and life skills. This is evident through reading care plans, lesson planning and direct observation. The young people benefit from the creative approach of the staff team who are beginning to work with life skills and develop work opportunities and encourage independence in all areas of daily living. For example, one young person benefited from learning mathematics by 'messing under the bonnet' of a car. Communication between the home and education providers is frequent and regular.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Some young people stated that there was nothing to do at the home. Staff assist the children in participating in a some leisure activities and hobbies. However, the home's bikes for the young people to use are not in working order. Staff are aware of the need for a greater range of activities and have ideas for new clubs to be offered to the young people. The home has its own transport and numerous external activities are enjoyed by the young people. Young people's interests have recently been encouraged and developed, for example, one young person having an interest in dogs and now has work experience at a kennels. The home is currently implementing an increased access to the internet for young people, using an educative approach to warn them of potential dangers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. There are detailed individual placement plans outlining the needs of the young people. Local authority documentation is used to create the home's own placement plans. Staff are beginning to grasp an awareness of the plans for the young people and their individual needs. Sampled placement plans were up to date and corresponded with other documents, such as the behaviour management plan or the review document. However, there were some omissions between the records such as a leisure interest. Although staff are beginning to work with the young people around understanding and involving them in the plans and decisions, the current plans are not workable documents that are easy for the children to understand. For example, none of the sampled plans included the planned interventions to help the young people fulfil their goals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain constructive contact with their families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives. However, there was a period where contact arrangements were not followed through satisfactorily. Generally, the services contribute a good deal to ensure young people have the support they need to have appropriate contact. Where it is necessary to do so, arrangements include transport, venue, escorts, supervision and a contact report. Staff are clear about their role in promoting safe contact and the involvement of parents, relatives and friends. Staff work effectively with all those involved with the child and support family contact. This enables the children to maintain valued relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people feel that some members of staff are good at asking them what they want to do. There are some good systems in place for children to communicate their views and make suggestions, choices and decisions about their lives as appropriate. For example, there are weekly meetings, which all children attend. Staff listen to children's views and implement their ideas where appropriate. A house representative attends the foundation’s “Have Your Say” meetings. However, records did not evidence resolution of some of the young people's concerns or requests. 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home is sufficiently spacious for the number of young people accommodated. Young people enjoy homely accommodation, maintained to a good standard with adequate facilities. The home is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment. There are plans to redecorate parts of the home. Young people are currently involved in the decision making and decorating of two of the home's rooms. The interior and exterior of the home are maintained in a good state of structural and decorative repair. Gardens and hard play areas are well maintained and safe. Each young person has their own bedroom which they are encouraged to personalise. Bedrooms are suitably equipped and furnished. There are some good facilities for young people to enjoy craft activities at the home, with sufficient and secure storage for safekeeping of materials. Confidential material is suitable and safely stored in the

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people confirm they are suitably supported to purchase their own clothing and personal requisites. However, good budgeting and savings for the young people is not consistent.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The home has a written Statement of Purpose which is presently under review by the registered provider. There is a children’s guide which accurately describes what the home sets out to do for children accommodated and the manner in which care is provided. Young people are guided through and know what services they can expect from the home and how they will be cared for.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The young people are given appropriate individualised care and support. The staff team is comprised of male and female members who demonstrate sensitivity and respect in terms of the backgrounds and identities of those they look after. Diversity is explored and discussed with the young people through the weekly meetings and food.

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Organisation

The staff group has changed a lot, therefore, young people have not benefited from the normal continuity in staffing. Sickness has had a severe impact on staffing levels and the home is deploying various recruitment and staffing strategies. Therefore, staffing levels and the range of experience with the level of new staff within the home have impacted on various aspects such as having key relationships with the young people, one-to-one time, recording, training, supervision and resolutions of issues with the young people. The overall competence of the staff had not been sufficient to fulfil the needs of the number and mix of children in the home. For example, only 56% of staff hold National Vocational Qualifications and core training is also outstanding. The home presently shares its manager with another home in the organisation, and there is one experienced deputy for the home. The manager has previously been deemed

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Organisation

suitable by Ofsted but does not hold registration for this home.

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Organisation

Staff receive good informal support, however, they do not receive frequent formal supervision. Agency staff have also not received formal supervision. Also, not all staff are adequately trained, for example, in the administration of medication and safeguarding. 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309 Ongoing monitoring of the quality of care by the registered provider is conducted but has not been at regular intervals. There were shortfalls identified that have not been tracked through this process to a resolution in order to improve the welfare of the children and the quality of care in the home. There is little evidence to show how such findings are effectively used by the company to positively influence and develop future practice. Monitoring systems are being developed by the manager, such as with incidents and restraints, to scrutinise and measure the performance of the home and this will enable good staff practices which benefit those living

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Organisation

Young people's needs, development and progress are recorded to reflect their individuality. Each young person has a permanent private and secure record of their history and progress.

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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

5 July 2010 ensure that all persons employed at the home receive appropriate training, including medication and safeguarding (Regulation 27.4) 7 June 2010 make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received in the children's home (Regulation 21.1) 7 June 2010 ensure that all persons employed at the home receive appropriate supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27.4) 7 June 2010 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Regulation 26 (Regulation 26) 2 August 2010 ensure that an application is made to Ofsted for the appointment of manager of the home (Regualtion 7) 28 June 2010 undertake monthly visits as set out in Regulation 33 (Regulation 33) 5 July 2010 maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children's home which provides for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing

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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): • provide opportunities for all young people to plan, shop for and prepare meals (NMS 10.1) 9 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309 • ensure that each child has a clear written health plan, including immunisations records (NMS 12.2) • provide each child with objectives regarding their health needs and health promotion and how these are to be met on a day-to-day basis, and how the effectiveness is to be assessed (NMS 2.1) • ensure that any medication is kept securely, with regard to temperature (NMS 13.10) • ensure staff have read and understood the most recent safeguarding procedures from the local authority (NMS 17.2) • ensure there are polices in place so that all staff are up to date with promoting the safety and welfare of the young people (NMS 17.1) • ensure that young people in the home know the content of their overall placement plan,

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Recommendations

according to their level of understanding (NMS 2.6) • ensure young people receive feedback following consultation (NMS 8.5) • ensure that placement plans set out how the effectiveness of the placement is to be assessed in relation to each major element of the plan (NMS 2.1) • encourage all children to manage their finances through help with budgeting and banking (NMS 11.8) • provide individualised support in line with the wishes of the children (NMS 7.1) • ensure there are ample opportunities for children to participate in a range of leisure interests (NMS 15.1) • ensure children are provided with support for constructive contact with significant others (NMS 4.1) • ensure overall competence of staff, both as a group and on individual shifts, is satisfactory in relation to the fulfilment of the home's Statement of Purpose (NMS 29.1) • take appropriate action on recommendations or issues of concern raised in Regulation 33

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Recommendations

reports (NMS 32.3) 10 of 10 Inspection Report: SC037309

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