Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today Children's Services in Stockport

SC008486 Unique reference number 1 June 2010 Inspection date Mark Kersh Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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21 January 2010 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: SC008486

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home that is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender. It is owned and run by a private organisation. The property is a semi-detached house, situated on a busy main road. There is good access from the home to public transport facilities and local amenities, such as shops, leisure facilities, schools and colleges.

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Brief description of the service

There is sufficient private and communal space in the home. Accommodation is spread over three floors, with storage and laundry facilities in the basement. On the ground floor, there are two lounges and a dining kitchen. The young people's bedrooms, bath and toilet facilities are on the first and second floors. There are two bedrooms on the second floor, one of these doubles as a staff office.

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Brief description of the service

There are currently six young people living at the home. Two young people were present and contributed to the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the recommendations from the previous inspection and the outcome area of staying safe. The outcome areas of being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not inspected.

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Summary

Care in this home continues to be provided for young people to good standards, with good arrangements made for the promotion of young people's welfare and safety. 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

Following the last inspection, the home was asked to ensure that all sanctions recorded are carried out as specified within the sanction book. This has been addressed and all sanctions recorded show the effectiveness of each individual sanction imposed. This enables effective behaviour management monitoring. The home was also asked to ensure that at least 80% of all staff have a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3. There is a continual approach within the home to drive forward improvement in this area with the remaining staff currently undertaking this qualification.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy is respected and promoted. All have their own separate bedrooms and young people have their own bedroom door keys to secure their personal possessions. Staff deal with confidential information in a sensitive manner. All written information held about young people is securely stored to maintain confidentiality. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008486 The home has clear systems in place to protect young people from suffering harm. Serious welfare issues, such as safeguarding concerns, bullying and unauthorised absence are all responded to professionally, by trained staff. Detailed records are maintained and monitored in respect of all welfare issues. Complaints are taken seriously and are recorded appropriately, where they have occurred. Young people confirm they know what to do if they have a complaint about the care they receive in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is managed in a controlled and sensitive way. Young people say they have good relationships with all staff in the home, and any sanction imposed, for inappropriate behaviour is fair and agreed by them. Detailed records are maintained in relation to behaviour management. Rewards feature far more than sanctions and restraint is rarely used. Sanction records show the effectiveness of each sanction imposed. These are closely monitored to ensure appropriate strategies are in place to manage each young person's behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are managed efficiently, as are the provisions made for the promotion of fire safety. Young people confirm they know how to evacuate the home and have taken part in regular fire evacuation tests. All electrical and gas appliances are checked and serviced to ensure environmental safety. These arrangements ensure young people and staff have their welfare and safety promoted within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Ofsted undertook an audit of staff personnel files in May 2009; any shortfalls found are being addressed by the provider. There are no recruitment issues within this home and no new staff have been employed.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008486 • ensure that at least 80% of all staff have a qualification at National Vocational Qualification Level 3 or an equivalent. (NMS 29.5) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008486

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