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

SC008487 Unique reference number 11 August 2010 Inspection date Mark Kersh Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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25 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: SC008487

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Brief description of the service

This is a children’s home which can accommodate six young people. It is owned and run by a private organisation. The property is a semi-detached house situated on a suburban road, close to local amenities and transport links and is indistinguishable from other houses in the area. The young people have their own single rooms. Food, care and accommodation are provided for all residents.

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Brief description of the service

Education can be provided by tutorial time offered by the organisation at an additional cost to placing authorities. A range of activities are provided and a vehicle is provided for general transport including to and from school. Information about the home is given to young people, their family and placing authorities.

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Brief description of the service

There are currently six young people living at the home, at the time of this inspection, one young person was present and contributed to the inspection.

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Summary

At this unannounced random inspection the outcome area of staying safe was inspected. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation were not inspected. A recommendation made at the previous inspection was checked for compliance.

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Summary

This is a good service which recognises individual young people's needs, privacy and confidentiality. Young people are listened to and are protected from harm. Behaviour is managed well through the positive relationships that exist between young people and staff. The home is a safe environment for young people, staff and visitors. 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

At the previous inspection the organisation was asked to ensure a minimum of 80% of staff have a qualification in residential childcare. Progress has been made in relation to this and the majority of staff now have this relevant 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. They are provided with separate bedrooms, which they have personalised and are able to keep their possessions secure. The home's washing facilities enable young people privacy and dignity. All information in respect of young people is securely stored by staff to protect them. Staff are professional when sharing information with others and follow the home's confidentiality policy. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008487 The home's complaint policy is clearly summarised for young people in a format which is user-friendly and easily understood. Young people can raise concerns without having to approach staff and they have contact details of external agencies for this purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff are trained in child protection and have the necessary skills to recognise, respond and report any suspicions of abuse. There have been no safeguarding concerns. There are no current issues or concerns in relation to bullying. Some young people who absent themselves from the home without permission, are closely monitored and if concerns arise staff call professional meetings to determine strategies for young people's safe return. Clear policies and procedures are in place which are understood by staff if such issues arise. Staff fully understand their responsibility to report significant events to appropriate authorities, which ensures further protection of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff are trained in behaviour management techniques with diversion and de-escalation strategies being used for inappropriate behaviour. Restraint is a last resort and very rarely happens. There have been no restraints in this home for some considerable time. Sanctions when used, are used fairly, as a reprimand to show young people there are consequences towards any unacceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety is effectively promoted and there are good systems in place for the routine maintenance and testing of the home's electrical and gas appliances. All of the home's fire appliances are professionally serviced and there are good arrangements made for the promotion of fire safety, in which all of the staff are trained. There are regular fire drills and weekly inspection of the home's fire safety systems ensuring the protection of young people, staff and visitors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safe staff recruitment practices are followed which ensure staff working in the home are suitable to do so. Staff do not commence work in the home until all of the necessary vetting checks have been completed and cleared. The home operates a signing in and out book and visitors do not have unsupervised access to young people. All visitors to the home are briefed in relation to the evacuation procedure and fire assembly point.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008487

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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. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC008487

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