Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

SC366107 Unique reference number 17 June 2010 Inspection date Dawn Taylor Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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8 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: SC366107

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to provide a service for young people aged 14 years to under the age of 18 years who are preparing for future independent living and is registered to accommodate three young people.

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Brief description of the service

It is a detached property set in its own grounds on the rural outskirts of a large town. The home provides a spacious living environment for the young people it accommodates. Young people have access to the service's registered education facility.

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Summary

This inspection was a key, unannounced inspection visit. The outcome groups relating to being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were assessed.

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Summary

The overall outcome judgement is outstanding. Being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were all judged to be outstanding.

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Summary

The young people were present and participated in the inspection process. In their opinion this is an outstanding service, stating 'this is a perfect home' and 'I would recommend the company as well as the home'.

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Summary

This company has established policies and procedures, which are underpinned by a comprehensive framework of staff training. This ensures high quality practice, which is sustained and results in robust and outstanding outcomes for young people. Moving towards independence is promoted in every aspect of a young person's life at this home. As a result young people are benefiting from living in a home that is focused on achieving the best possible arrangements and outcomes for independent living. A key strength of this home is the experienced staff team who have strong respectful relationships with the young people. They create an environment where young people feel safe and can develop their self-esteem and a real sense of identity. The overall quality rating is outstanding. 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, there were no actions or recommendations set.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people are encouraged to take a holistic overview of their lifestyle and the impact risky behaviours may have on long-term health. In particular, they are supported to pay attention to their daily diet, regular exercise and where applicable consider how, alcohol and substance abuse, smoking and anti-social behaviours also impact on health and emotional well being. Young people express positive views about the support and guidance they receive from staff and confirm they are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health care, which is consistent with the home's overall aim of supporting their transition to independent living. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC366107 Young people stated 'the staff get it just about right. They want us to learn to look after ourselves but they also want us to be fit and healthy. So if we get something's wrong, they will stop us and help us get back on track.'

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Helping children to be healthy

This outstanding practice is further enhanced by the company's therapy team who undertake direct work with young people and also attend all house meetings to facilitate discussions with the staff team. The company also has established links with a local authority health care agency, which provides guidance and training to staff and young people, as well as direct confidential support to all young people with regard to relationships, sexuality and sexual health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Through the independent living programme, young people develop the confidence, skills and understanding to make healthy choices, manage a weekly budget and prepare and cook their own meals. The home's domestic routines and activities are organised in a way that supports coaching and mentoring opportunities in areas such as budgeting and cooking. Staff approach daily tasks and routines with the aim of developing young people's awareness and knowledge about what it means to live independently. At the same time they demonstrate sensitive parenting skills, still cooking meals for key events or if a young person is requiring some company or emotional support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. This staff team are outstanding at assessing and ensuring the need to safeguard young people whilst promoting their developing independence skills. Staff practice is well informed by established policies and procedures, which are enhanced by comprehensive training. Young people feel a key strength of this home is the staff team. Young people feel staff 'listen', 'that they are honest with them if they are making mistakes' and 'that they will raise any concerns that they might have about a young person's behaviour'. Staff support to young people through emotional difficulties is excellent. Physical interventions are not used and the use of sanctions is rare. Young people describe a staff team who are always available to talk an issue through and provide a lot of reassurance and problem solving solutions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have robust training that includes safeguarding. In addition, all Registered Managers have achieved their local authority's level 2 safeguarding training. This year the company are focusing on all seniors achieving their local authority's level 2 safeguarding training. There are two Registered Managers within the company who have qualified with Shropshire Local Authority to deliver this training and the company are working in partnership with the local authority to deliver safeguarding training to all Shropshire childcare services.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's safety is promoted by an established health and safety policy, which ensures risks are identified and appropriate action is taken to manage and reduce them. Young people and staff are involved in fire drills and there are regular checks on all fire and electrical equipment to ensure it is in good working order. All staff are appropriately trained in health and safety matters including first aid and fire awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records relating to staff recruitment and selection were checked at the company's headquarters in June 2010. The company's recruitment and selection process is robust and the procedure includes checks over and above those required in the Children Homes Regulations. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC366107

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people are receiving outstanding individual support that is consistent with their identified needs. Staff are well aware of the specific needs young people may have in relation to self-esteem and identity. Although the home's stated aim and purpose is to support young people to achieve independence, this is not done by assuming young people's needs are the same. Staff provide information and support on the basis of individual circumstances and the stated aims of young people regarding their own futures. Young people are benefiting from living in a home that is focused on achieving the best possible arrangements and outcomes for independent living.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational opportunities are outstanding and take into account each young person's current needs, as well as their potential. Young people receive excellent support and encouragement with their educational attainment. The company operates its own registered school, as well as an outdoor education department. The service will also support young people to attend mainstream schools or colleges or those who are employed. Where appropriate the home's staff will support young people in their educational establishment. There is outstanding dialogue between the home and the company's school, The Evolution Centre and other educational establishments. The staff team are in daily communication with education staff. One young person praised the leaver's programme he was currently involved in through the Evolution Centre, which he felt was outstanding. As part of this he was undertaking a driving taster course

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and was having his first driving lesson.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people's contribution to their placement and future is outstanding. In feedback to the home social workers state that the positive aspects of this home are the 'high level of support offered to young people' and the 'comprehensive and detailed care plans and review reports’. Young people feel 'excellently supported by the staff team and Registered Manager' to be involved in developing their pathway plan and attending review meetings. The Registered Manager and key workers are proactive in advocating on behalf of young people and their future placements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The company are committed to supporting contact with family and significant others and believe it to be of vital importance that the family remain central to the young persons life. This is demonstrated at this home by the staff team's commitment and flexibility to ensure there is a consistency of staffing fortnightly to support overnight contact that takes place a significant distance away from the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to move into the home in a planned and sensitive manner. There is a clear admission criteria used to assess the suitability of the placement and the quality of impact risk assessments are outstanding. There are also established processes for internal moves within the company. Lots of young people receiving care within the company aspire to move to this service. Staff take care with helping young people to adjust to their new surroundings so that that they feel welcomed and valued. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC366107

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people are provided with outstanding practical training and emotional support to develop the skills they require, as an individual, to move on into adulthood. Young people are given safe opportunities to put into practice the skills they are learning such as budgeting, paying bills, cooking and managing their laundry. Their progress is monitored and discussed with them on a regular basis and in a way that is meaningful and engages young people. Staff work effectively with leaving care teams and ensure that young people are made fully aware of issues relating to accommodation, education, employment and financial support.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation and garden is maintained to a high standard. The young people feel that the home is another outstanding feature of this service. They state 'this is the best house', 'it feels like home', 'it is in a brilliant position for shops, friends and things to do' and 'is perfect for getting on your own two feet and out in the world'.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. This home is well managed and this is having a positive impact on the outcomes for young people. The home has an up to date Statement of Purpose and Children's Guide. Staff are aware of the principles and aims of the home and are positive and enthusiastic about their work.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by staff who are themselves proactively supported and guided in safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare and meeting their individual needs. All staff receive a comprehensive induction, regular supervision and annual appraisals. All staff are provided with comprehensive policies, procedures and guidance that promotes the strong values and ethos of the service. Staff continue to receive a comprehensive range of in-house training to ensure their childcare practice remains up-to-date. This is a key strength of the company and as a result, staff are suitably trained to support the diverse needs of young people with complex needs.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. There are comprehensive policies and procedural guidance for staff on anti-bullying, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.

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Organisation

Monthly monitoring visits are an outstanding feature of the company and include the young people's views. Reports are used to inform the quality assurance system of the home. The systems in place are centred firmly around the experiences of young people and whether the home is fully able to meet their needs. Staff are fully involved in the quality assurance process and take the action required to address any points raised in the report.

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Organisation

Young people's case files are reviewed regularly and kept up to date. They are confidentially stored and are arranged in a manner that makes them readily useable by staff and yet accessible to young people. Young people are fully aware that they can have access to their records and confirm that staff support them to look at their files and making comments on daily records. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC366107

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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

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC366107

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