Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

SC065313 Unique reference number 21 June 2010 Inspection date Stephen Trainor Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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4 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 9 Inspection Report: SC065313

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Brief description of the service

A private organisation operates the children home and it is registered to care for up to three children and young people, both genders, from the age of 10 years up to 17 years old. Services were being provided for only one resident and child in-line with a service level agreement at the time of this visit. A lengthy discussion took place with the young person resident.

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Brief description of the service

The house is semi-detached on a housing estate and has no distinguishing features to suggest it is a children's home. Accommodation comprises of individual bedrooms, two bathrooms, a through lounge and a dining area and conservatory. There is a patio and garden area to the rear of the building. Office space is separate.

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Brief description of the service

The young people can gain access to many community resources including parks, cinema and sports and athletics facilities and local beaches. Bus routes connect the home with the local community and the national rail link. Shops and supermarkets are accessible within the surrounding community.

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Summary

This inspection was unannounced. This report comments on every outcome heading covering all the key national minimum standards for children's homes. Progress against recommendations made during the last inspection was evaluated.

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Summary

This home has provided a specific role for the past year in supporting a mother and baby. The placement is due to come to a close as transitional arrangements had secured independent housing. The next move to independent living is eagerly anticipated.

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Summary

Support provided throughout the placement is coordinated very well using a multi-disciplinary approach. Comprehensive plans are produced and implemented extremely well. The quality of staff practice enables young people to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence and plan for their futures. Young people's specific needs are been well met by a small team of competent staff. Health and education is been supported particularly well. Young people are well prepared and express great optimism for their future.

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Summary

This report highlights some recommendations to support practice developments. There is no guarantee that existing transitional arrangements will come to fruition prompting the need to establish a contingency plan. Staff appraisals are due. Interview notes stored in personnel files are basic and do not make use of scoring systems. 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

Recommendations made at the last inspection have been suitably addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Placement needs have been comprehensively met allowing mother and baby to make progress. Pathway planning has been excellent. There has been a smooth transition to independent living. The aims and objectives of the specialist service was included within the home's Statement of Purpose, policies and procedural guidance. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Policy and procedural guidance to support health and well-being has been developed. A small team of staff are fully aware of these documents. Quality assurance systems monitor practice and ensures it remains safe. The responsible organisation works with a local pharmacy and a full prescription management service is provided. No prescription medicines were being used. There are lockable first aid cabinets for safe storage. Staff receive training to provide first aid and safe handling and administration of medicines. Mother and baby issues are covered within training. Staff have excellent skills sets and experience to coordinate support effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

All aspects of health are managed very well. Comprehensive records are made on all health inputs. Health plans are detailed, up to date and focussed on mother and baby matters. A multidisciplinary approach supports the resident's and the baby's health and well-being. Risk assessments support practice and there is fortnightly contact with nurses. No safeguarding issues are evident. Young people are fully aware of their own health arrangements and make their own appointments. A six week paediatric first aid course was recently completed by a resident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Fitness and diet is managed well. Young people have full responsibility for their food budget. Healthy eating options are selected for mother and baby.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. There is comprehensive evidence available to show that the home operates safely. The staff and management team continue to provide excellent continuity with all the services provided. The specific objectives of this single occupancy placement have been fully met. Operational systems are implemented very well. The arrangements for complaints, safeguarding children, bullying and behaviour management ensure that young people feel listened to and protected. There are no concerns. This home provides suitable physical safety and security for young people resident. The placement is monitored closely. There are frequent ongoing inputs from a wide range of professionals. All are coordinated very well by the staff team. Comprehensive recordings are made. All staff receive good safeguarding training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have learnt how to differentiate their behaviour according to the different settings and situations they find themselves in. They have chosen to lead stable lifestyles. There is mutual respect and trust between young people and staff. Staff commented, 'Residents' behaviour is transformed from the early stages of the placement and baby coming along'. The detail and quality of information being maintained supports this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The response taken to health and safety is coordinated very well. Certification is held centrally and this shows regular servicing of fire, gas, portable appliances and electrical installations. A fire risk assessment of the premises had been completed. Regular fire drills are carried out. Accommodation is safe with no observable hazards to the resident's safety. A range of risk assessments have been produced to support practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A random selection of personnel files was reviewed. Information held in-house confirmed that no staff had started work prior to being in receipt of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. The format used to maintain personnel information allows quick access to pertinent 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313 information. A suitable checking system is evident throughout the recruitment process. Recruitment policy covers the decision making process to be followed when employing staff with cautions or convictions and the use of agency staff. Records of interviews could be improved. Job description are not always being updated when staff gain promotion. Vetting of visitors to the home is undertaken with identity checks being carried out before access is permitted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Developing educational potential forms a clear part of the home's philosophy of care. The responsible organisation has its own school. This school is registered with the Department for Education and is inspected by Ofsted. Arrangements at the school are complimented by partnerships with local schools. This means some resources can be shared. There is safe access to the internet and this helps each resident's studies. They have clearly laid out personal education plans that are matched to each individual's needs and key stage ability. Plans provide a clear focus. There has been good attendance leading to the successful completion of secondary school education. Residents have built good self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence and this allowed them to sit GCSE examinations. This achievement is all the greater for residents balancing education and dependent children's needs. The individualised support clearly improves

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff practice remains responsive for the times young people are most in need. The coordinated response being taken ensures young people continually make progress. Staff are receptive to new ways of working. They continually reflect on their practice and this allows new initiatives to be introduced. All work undertaken is subject to regular review. Specialist services have been accessed and these provide ongoing support and guidance. A high quality of care is being provided ensuring young people achieve and develop. Staff practice does engage the young people in activities to develop skills and individual potential. Recreation is clearly linked to developing healthy life styles. Staff possess good knowledge about the young people living at the home and this allows them to successfully manage their full range of needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Details within case files and in particular placement plans are accurate and these show outcomes for the young people are positive. Records including assessments reports, health plans, personal education plans, pathway and after care plans and risk assessments provide a clear account on each resident's progress. Staff are extremely knowledgeable about each resident's needs. High quality practice is evident across all the areas outlined within the Every Child Matters framework. Relationships between staff and young people are excellent. Contact arrangements are clear.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good information is gained at the referral and introduction stage. Statutory reviews take place at the correct frequency. There is shared decision making between a wide range of agencies and professionals and this allows plans and targets to be adjusted on an ongoing basis. Reports are produced for each review. Staff discuss review recommendations ensuring that the young people fully comprehend decisions affecting them. The young people make a clear contribution to the development of their home. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313 There is a clear commitment by staff to discuss their work with all relevant departments. Professional relationships have been established and communication between all agencies is effective. There is tremendous satisfaction with how placements are managed.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Pathway and aftercare planning is implemented extremely well allowing young people to make excellent progress. Programmes operated, routines followed and placement planning is clearly linked. Comprehensive assessments of needs are undertaken. Assessments include input from residents to enable individualised plans to be produced. Plans cover mother and baby competencies. The quality of experience provided means residents gain life skills that will support them into adulthood. Access to specialist services is integral to planning and this means that the young people are being prepared very well for their future responsibilities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Plans are developed through statutory review procedures. This approach ensures decisions are agreed and areas of responsibility known from the outset. The transitional arrangements, and in particular the date to move to independence, is still to be determined. Suitable accommodation and a money bond is secured through a housing association. A move to independence is eagerly anticipated. It is highly likely that this move will take place fairly soon and ahead of the original timescale. There is limited contingency planning if arrangements do not come to fruition.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is safe for mother and baby and is decorated and furnished, to a good standard. There is good space and resources. The design and layout of the home manages to retain a homely and comfortable feel. Young people value their surroundings. Maintenance is coordinated efficiently. Residents have their own bedroom. These areas are being suitably personalised. Bathing facilities are suitable. Bathrooms and toilets comply with national minimum standards for children’s homes. Established routines are suitable to ensure the accommodation remains clean and tidy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is located on the outskirts of a large council housing estate. Relationships and appropriate links with neighbours and the surrounding community are being maintained. Community resources are frequently utilised. Staff provide advice to young people on how to stay safe when they are out in the community.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The service history shows the operation, management and staff practice remains at a high standard. Efficient management of young people's needs has led to stable lifestyles being experienced. Practice clearly meets with the requirements of children's homes national minimum standards and associated regulations. The staff have a comprehensive understanding of each resident's needs. Each residents and any dependents' needs are supported extremely well. Staff are extremely well motivated.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Individualised care is demonstrated across all the Every Child Matters outcomes. The management team continually reflect on practice and this allows specialist services to be provided. Ongoing training is being provided to ensure further links are made with equality and diversity matters throughout the 24-hour curriculum. Young people have also accessed some interesting training. Equality and diversity 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313 is firmly established within the culture and ethos of the home. There is good policy and guidance. Fairness is reflected within practice to ensure positive experiences continue to be gained. Staff are good at listening to residents and allow individuals opportunities to voice their views, opinions and concerns. Transparent communication with residents and social workers demonstrates a real commitment to further improving equality and diversity in practice.

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Organisation

The home is being managed well and run efficiently providing a safe and stable environment. Checks are in place to monitor the home’s operation. Monthly reports are being produced and forwarded to Ofsted. In-house procedures are generating good evidence on consultation taking place via exit interviews, periodic surveys and regular meetings with the young people.

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Organisation

The home's management team have produced a written development plan outlining how the home's operation will be maintained. This is linked to staff training and development. There is consistent use of self-evaluation and improvements identified are managed in a timely and effective way.

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Organisation

The Registered Manager is experienced and fully qualified. A trainee manager and a small team of staff have many years of experience. Deployment of staff is good. The staffing structure has not experienced many changes between inspections. Staff retention is excellent. Each shift has a nominated team or shift leader. Rotas demonstrate that staffing levels are being maintained. Staff are clear about their roles. Excellent administration records are maintained providing a permanent overview on everything that takes place.

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Organisation

Records at this home show a clarity of purpose in how staff are being managed. Induction and foundation training is provided. Supervision records are good and are linked to each staff member's personal development and appraisal. The appraisal process was due to be completed for all staff members. It was 12 months since the specialist service opened. There is access to National Vocational Qualification training at Level 3 and 4. These are recognised qualifications to work and manage children in a residential setting. Equivalent accredited training awards are also available. The staff team all have relevant qualifications.

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Organisation

Staff have written guidance, policies and procedures to support their practice. The home's Statement of Purpose provides good information in accordance with regulations. Aims and objectives as well as the philosophy of care are outlined. Records are easy to access. Staff use guidance to ensure a consistent response to meeting each resident's needs. Well coordinated services have led to excellent outcomes.

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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): 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313 • ensure personnel files contain correct job description and better detailed interview notes (NMS 27) • strengthen final pathway planning arrangements (NMS 6.2 & 6.6) • complete this year's appraisal process. (NMS 28.7) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065313

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