Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

SC403895 Unique reference number 7 June 2010 Inspection date Katarina Djordjevic Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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15 December 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 9 Inspection Report: SC403895

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home run by a local authority. It provides care for two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties between the age of 10 and 17 years. It is located in a city suburb and is within easy reach of community resources and facilities.

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Brief description of the service

There is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, toilet and utility room on the ground floor. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. Each young person has their own bedroom and the third bedroom is used as a staff office and sleep-in room. There are gardens to the front and rear of the home. Staffing is flexible depending on the needs of the young people. There is always a member of staff on sleep-in duty and on-call arrangements are in place.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Summary

This is the first inspection since the home was registered in December 2009. This was a full unannounced inspection. The purpose of the visit was to assess the quality of care provided for young people, in line with statutory requirements. All key standards were inspected and standards 11, 15, 21, 28 and 32 were also inspected. The outcome groups relating to being healthy, enjoying and achieving and positive contribution are judged as outstanding. Staying safe, economic well-being and organisation were assessed and are judged as good.

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Summary

This is a good service with many outstanding features. The Registered Manager provides strong leadership and support which has resulted in a consistent and committed staff team who provide a good quality of care for young people. Young people receive well-planned and regularly reviewed care that supports their needs. Empowerment of young people and keeping them safe are at the forefront of the care provided. Relationships between staff and young people are very positive and behaviour is well managed. Young people feel safe living at the home and feel good about the progress they are making at the home. 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

This is the first inspection since the home was registered.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people live in an environment where a healthy lifestyle is actively promoted by staff. As part of health promotion young people are encouraged to eat healthily and take regular exercise. Staff provide a high level of support to young people. Staff receive a variety of training which enables them to meet the health and cultural needs of young people. Training for staff includes basic first aid, food hygiene, the administration of medication and drug awareness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive a varied and well-balanced diet based on their individual needs. Young people are consulted about the menus which reflect specific likes and cultural dietary needs. Records are kept of meals provided which enable staff to monitor young people's diet. Young 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895 people are encouraged and expected to participate in the cooking of meals in preparation for adulthood. Theme nights are held to enable young people to experience different cultural meals. For these, they are expected to research different cultures, and make the meals with support from staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff work in a respectful and sensitive manner when supporting young people with their health needs. The physical, emotional and health needs of each young person are clearly identified and recorded in young people's care records. Care records are of a very good standard and are regularly reviewed. Staff recognise the importance of meeting young people's holistic needs and therefore work very closely with other health professionals. Staff are proactive in obtaining services and advice from other health professionals and implement programmes and protocols devised by health professionals to ensure young people's needs are being met. For example, advice has been obtained from the local nutritionist to help young people on weight reducing diets to ensure they eat a well-balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Procedures are in place to ensure that medicines are appropriately handled and stored to safeguard young people’s welfare. Records of medication administered and disposed of are kept. Practices and records are checked regularly by the Registered Manager which helps to safeguard young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people live in a safe and secure environment. Staff are committed to enabling young people to develop the necessary skills to keep themselves safe and to take responsibility for their actions in preparation for their adult lives. Effective and robust systems and practices enable young people to take controlled risks in a supportive environment, which help young people develop their self-confidence and keep themselves safe. Staff receive a variety of training which enables them to meet young people's needs including: safeguarding; behaviour management; and working with children who exhibit sexually harmful behaviour. The home has detailed safeguarding procedures and has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Staff understand their responsibilities in reporting any concerns, which helps to protect young people from the risk of harm or abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not tolerated and this is made clear to young people on admission and is regularly discussed at the young people's discussion meetings. Although young people reported that bullying is not an issue in the home, there have been some incidents. These have been dealt with promptly by staff who have also worked hard to ensure young people understand what bullying is. Staff have been able to ascertain how young people feel in terms of being safe from questionnaires they have given to young people. Clear procedures and practices to deal with unauthorised absence help to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse. Risk assessments are carried out for each young person. The staff team and young people have built up positive relationships with the local community police officer who regularly visits the home and talks to young people about bullying and keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems within the home and open relationships with staff enable young people to raise any concerns they may have in a safe and supportive environment. The home has a clear complaints procedure which young people are aware of. This helps to protect and safeguard young people from the risk of harm and abuse. No complaints have been received since the home was registered in December 2009. Young people also have access to an independent advocate. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895 Respecting young people's privacy and dignity is at the forefront of practice at the home while at the same time ensuring they are safeguarded. Young people are given keys to their bedrooms if they want one. Young people confirmed that staff knock on their bedroom doors and wait to be asked in unless there is a concern about a young person's safety. Young people are aware that their bedroom may be searched if safeguarding concerns arise. Where searches are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

undertaken, clear records are kept which the young person is given the opportunity to sign.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Respectful relationships exist between young people and staff. Staff present as positive role models and there is a strong emphasis on promoting incentives for, and rewarding, positive and improved behaviour. Young people learn how to change their behaviours and develop socially acceptable behaviours. Individual behaviour management plans are in place where needed which ensures safe and consistent management of young people's behaviour. The use of sanctions is minimal and praise and rewards far outweigh sanctions imposed. Sanctions and rewards are recorded in each young person's individual log book which goes with the young person when they move on from the home. However, a central record is not kept at the home as required. Restraint has not been used since the home was registered which is testament to the skills of the staff team.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management of health and safety is good which helps to protect young people and staff from the risk of harm and injury. Servicing of installations and equipment is carried out as required. Fire safety procedures are good: fire alarm tests are carried out weekly; regular fire drills take place; and the fire evacuation procedure is explained to young people on admission. General risk assessments are in place as well as individual risk assessments. Staff are responsive to changing needs of young people and newly identified risks for which they take prompt and appropriate action.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safe and effective recruitment practices and the vetting of visitors help to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Excellent relationships exist between young people and staff. This results from a culture of mutual respect and belief that young people should be given every opportunity and support to achieve their full potential in life. Care is based on individual assessed needs which takes into account their gender, religious, racial, cultural, disability and linguistic needs. All young people are given a high level of support and guidance from a skilled and committed staff team who have an in-depth knowledge of young people's needs. This helps young people to pursue their particular interests, achieve and develop confidence in their skills. Staff fully understand that multi-agency working is integral to meeting young people's holistic needs and have developed positive working relationships with other agencies. Staff encourage key professionals involved with each young person to read and sign young people's care records including

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

placement plans and risk assessments. Individual risk assessments are in place in relation to the care of young people and young people are supported to take controlled risks, appropriate to their age and abilities. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's education is seen as important and they are actively supported with their education by staff. Young people attend local mainstream schools and their attendance at school is excellent. Both young people have received certificates to reward them for 100% attendance for which they are both very proud. Staff work closely with local education services 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895 and young people's education is based on their individual learning needs. The facilities in the home help young people with their homework. Each young person has a personal education plan.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are provided with an extensive range of activities, both in-house and in the community, which they enjoy and gives them opportunities to try new activities. Activities are based on likes, interests and needs including health and learning needs. This helps to build up young people's self-confidence. Risk assessments are in place for trips and outside activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Empowerment of young people is at the forefront of the home's philosophy. Practices and systems within the home actively encourage and support young people to make positive contributions to their daily lives and have a say in their future. Staff work tenaciously to ensure young people understand issues and concepts, why systems and practices are in place and how they help young people, and to take ownership of things belonging to them. There are many examples of excellent practice; young people are encouraged to personalise their care files. Also, staff have spent time with young people explaining what the Every Child Matters outcomes mean. Young people have drawn pictures of what each outcome means to them which have been laminated and put in each section of their care files. This helps young people develop their self-confidence and feel valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All young people have individual files which are based on the Every Child Matters five outcomes and contain looked after children documents, placement plans and associated action plans, risk assessments and case records. Care records give comprehensive details of individual needs and how to meet the needs. Records are of a very good standard and are regularly reviewed by staff in consultation with young people. Review meetings are held as required for which staff produce progress reports, and minutes of these meetings are kept on file. Young people are actively encouraged to attend their review meetings which helps them contribute to their future plans.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements are clearly recorded to ensure that staff understand each young person's situation with regards to meeting with their family. Staff work hard to support young people to maintain valued relationships with family through appropriate contact arrangements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Most admissions to the home are planned, and careful consideration is given to ensure that the needs of young people can be met and that they are compatible with the young person already living at the home. Staff try to ensure admission to the home is a smooth and welcoming experience for young people. Young people visit the home prior to moving in to look around the house, and meet staff and other young people living at the home. This gives young people the opportunity to discuss any issues and gives them an insight into the running of the home. Young people are given the welcome booklet on admission and spend time with staff going through the complaints and fire safety procedures, the no-smoking policy, and the house rules and what to expect.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are actively encouraged and supported to develop daily living and life skills, in preparation for adulthood. This is based on individual needs, taking into account a young 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895 person’s age, abilities and previous experiences. Independence Skills Task books are used to record details of what tasks young people have worked on and what they have achieved. This helps to monitor young people's progress in preparing for their adult lives and increases young people's self-confidence. Young people are supported to make meals and do their own laundry.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are supported to maintain their individuality and personal preferences in terms of clothing and personal requisites which takes into account any cultural and religious needs. There are clear systems for accessing pocket money and other allowances for clothing and toiletries which enable young people's needs to be met. Young people are encouraged to save for larger items and future holidays. This helps them prepare for adulthood.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy homely accommodation which is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people have been involved in choosing the décor and furniture in the home which gives them a sense of belonging and respect for their environment. The home is clean and well-maintained. Young people are encouraged and supported to personalise their bedrooms which reflects their individuality.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home's Statement of Purpose contains all the information required in Schedule 1 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. This informs young people, their families and placing authorities about the services provided by the home. The Statement of Purpose accurately reflects the practice and registration conditions of this home. The young people's welcome booklet is given to all young people either prior to or on admission to the home. The booklet informs young people about life at the home, what they can expect and what is expected of them and local facilities.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Staff present as positive role models, treating all people with respect, and welcome difference. Young people are provided with various opportunities to experience and learn about other people’s differences in terms of race, religion, culture, sex, age and disabilities. Young people's care records provide detailed information about the support they need for their individual and different needs and this information is reflected in other planning documents. There is a range of examples where young people's individual needs, including cultural needs, are met and where they are supported to explore their identity.

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Organisation

Young people receive a very good standard of care based on their assessed needs from a committed, skilled and competent staff team. Staff are well supported by the Registered Manager who provides clear and strong leadership and direction. Staff say they work well together as a team which ensures young people receive consistent care. Staff receive regular supervision, and staff meetings are held. A range of training is provided to staff which enables them carry out their roles and responsibilities and, therefore, meet the needs of young people. This includes mandatory training and training relevant to understanding and meeting the individual needs of young people. The induction process takes place during the six-month probationary period. Staffing based on the needs of young people, provide appropriate levels of supervision for young people to ensure they are safe and that their needs are met. Staffing

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Organisation

levels are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of young people. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895 There is a range of quality assurance monitoring systems both internal and those undertaken by representatives of the local authority. The Registered Manager has established effective internal monitoring systems which ensure young people's needs are being met and that any shortfalls are addressed promptly. The commitment of the staff team ensures that they are constantly striving to improve the quality of services provided to young people. The Registered Manager regularly checks and signs records and produces a monthly report as required. The Regulation 33 reports support the internal quality assurance systems within the home. Visits are carried out monthly and reports sent to Ofsted as required. The Regulation 33 reports are robust and help to ensure young people are protected from the risk of harm and ensure individual

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Organisation

needs are being met. The local authority's quality assurance department also carries out audits to assess standards of care being provided.

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Organisation

Young people's files contain most of the required information as detailed in Schedule 3 of the Children's Homes Regulations, 2001, to inform staff about the needs of young people and how to meet their needs. A copy of the young people's statement of special educational needs is not kept in young people's 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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Due date Action Standard

31 July 2010 maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of measures of control used, as set out in Regulation 17 with particular reference to keeping a central record of sanctions imposed at the home (Regulation 17 (4)) 31 July 2010 obtain the information specified in Schedule 3 in respect of each child, in particular a copy of any statement of special educational needs. (Regulation 28 (1))

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403895

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