Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

SC051739 Unique reference number 25 May 2010 Inspection date Mark Ryder Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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24 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 6 Inspection Report: SC051739

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is a large detached house situated in a residential area on the outskirts of a city. It is within easy access of local community resources. Although registered for three young people with learning disabilities, the home currently only has two young people’s bedrooms as the third room is being used as a sensory room/sleeping in room. The home also has a bathroom, two toilets, a lounge, a resource room, a kitchen, a staff office and a garden. The home is part of an organisation which has several homes within the area. At the time of this inspection no children were in placement.

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Summary

Willow House is currently not providing accommodation to children and young people. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes users’ views about the service. As this evidence is not available when there are no children and young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection; the purpose of which is to decide that should an admission be made the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard. 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

The home has complied with three out of the four actions made at the last inspection. Health and safety practice is much improved with the removal of discarded cigarette ends from outside of the backdoor. The recording of restraints is completed within 24 hours after the event and monitoring of the service is completed at regular intervals.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has yet to submit an application for the registration of a manager.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were made to address four areas to improve the development of the home. All areas have been addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recording of complaints includes details of the nature of the complaint, date and the name of the person making the complaint. The staff sleeping in area is not part of the communal living space, and the interior and exterior of the house is presently being refurbished. Behaviour management records are regularly monitored and any actions followed up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young people's privacy is respected and their personal information maintained to protect their confidentiality. The home is designed to assist staff to provide personal care. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051739 Complaints are managed well. Young people, parents and other people associated with the home are aware of the complaint's procedure. Records refer to the nature of the complaint, the actions taken and the outcome. The records are regularly monitored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive regular training on child protection. There are procedures in place that staff can refer to. Bullying behaviour is taken seriously and addressed through high staff ratios supervising the young people. The policy on bullying refers to a range of foreseeable behaviours. The staff provide risk assessments on young people in relation to their vulnerability to others or the potential to present bullying behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are very low levels of incidents of absence without authority at this home. The policy on young people leaving the home without authority provides clear guidance to staff. All young people are risk assessed as to their potential to run away.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is satisfactorily managed through competent and well trained staff in the use of safe physical intervention strategies. Policies and procedures on the use of care and control interventions provides staff with the organisations approach to managing behaviour effectively. Records on the use of restraints are recorded within 24 hours after the event. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people, staff and visitors to the home are suitably safeguarded through regular health and safety monitoring. Debris around the exterior of the house has been removed to prevent accidental ingestion by young people. This is an improvement since the last inspection. Portable appliance testing on all electrical items used within the home is completed annually. Fire safety is checked weekly and the fire fighting equipment annually. Cleaning and other potential toxic products are risk assessed in line with the control of substances hazardous to health procedures. All such products are kept in a lockable area within the home. There is suitable insurance cover for public and employee liability.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Employment of staff follows the organisation's policy and procedures on safe recruitment practices. Suitable vetting of staff includes reference to a full Criminal Records Bureau check, as well as feedback from referees before they start to care for the children. Visitors are asked to sign in and out of the home and are asked for identification if required. This ensures that all adults working or visiting the home are suitably checked whilst young people are present.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The Statement of Purpose reflects the ethos and functions of this home. A young person's guide is available and is written in a format accessible to young people. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051739 There are sufficient numbers of trained, experienced and competent staff to meet the needs of the young people who may use the service in the future. Staff receive specialist training on working with young people with severe learning disabilities. Most of the staff have achieved national vocational qualification to level three in caring for children and young people. Staff are presently redeployed to another home although will be available for any future planned admission.

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Organisation

There are regular monitoring processes within the home to ensure that all records are completed in a timely manner. The monitoring of the home continues to ensure that young people who will use this service will be provided with a safe environment to live in. This is much improved since the last inspection.

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Organisation

The home currently does not have a manager registered with Ofsted. This was a previous action made at the last inspection. Not having a Registered Manager could compromise the potential good work of this home.

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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

18 June 2010 submit an application to Ofsted for the registration of a manager for the children's home. (Regulation 7)

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC051739

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