Children's Home run by Platinum Services for Children (Residential Care) Ltd in Staffordshire

SC378181 Unique reference number 8 July 2010 Inspection date David Morgan Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

9 February 2010 Date of last inspection .

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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 7 Inspection Report: SC378181

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is one of two children's homes located in a small cul-de-sac a short drive from the centre of town. It provides care for up to two children or young people aged between eight and 17 years who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The property is a four bedroomed detached house that was built in 2008. It is in a suburban area with shops close by and ready access to the countryside. Children have their own good-sized bedrooms, one with en-suite shower and toilet, and there are small gardens at the front and rear. The young person who currently lives at the home was unable to contribute directly to the inspection process.

p.4

Summary

The overall quality rating has improved to good. This full inspection was announced at short notice to ensure that staff were available. All areas of care are considered in this report. The previous actions and recommendations have been addressed. In particular, there has been attention paid to fire safety and to quality assurance measures. This inspection makes an action regarding adequate floor coverings and three recommendations. However, it is clear that substantial improvements are ongoing in the organisation. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection raised five actions and three recommendations. Bedroom door locks have been replaced with more suitable and secure locks. Staff have received improved fire safety training and drills, which increases the safety of everyone in the event of a fire. Staff competence has been improved by closer attention to other training too and by professional supervision of the manager. As part of the quality assurance process, the views of people outside the home are now obtained. Monitoring reports are now copied to Ofsted as required and staff are required to read and sign reports that require them to take action. These steps contribute to the consistency of the team and help to raise standards of care.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people’s health is given a high priority by staff. This means, for example, that staff encourage and facilitate healthy eating and ensure there are close links with health agencies. Young people are taught to cook and budget independently. There are good systems for medicine administration. These are safer than before due to input from a pharmacy service that includes, for example, staff training.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people enjoy a high level of help in staying safe. For example, there is a good level of privacy. This is afforded by the small size of the home and there being only one young person. Each young person has their own room in which personal items are secure. Young people are familiar with the home’s policies regarding complaints. Difficulties such as bullying and being absent without authority are actually prevented, which is to the credit of all concerned. There 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378181 are also strong systems in place to ensure that only appropriate staff are recruited and retained. Management also ensure that staff uphold a high degree of professional integrity, which is an important contribution to maintaining good welfare outcomes for young people. All new staff are employed at the adjacent home first where there is sufficient supervision. Also, all their previous social care employers are contacted, not just the most recent; this is good practice

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and provides additional security for young people.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management practices are effective in practice. They help young people to achieve and maintain appropriate relationships with those around them. This is an important contribution to their safety and preparation for independence. A thorough behaviour management policy is in place. However, it does not sufficiently describe the holds that are permitted during restraints. This is necessary to avoid any inappropriate restraints or physical interventions being used with young people.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides young people with high levels of physical safety. Fire drills now take into account a variety of scenarios to ensure that staff are properly prepared. Hot water checks also occur to avoid young people being scolded. However, the temperature range that is accepted by staff is substantially higher than recommended. This indicates an incorrect risk assessment and potentially places young people at risk.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Individual support is always available and is of a high standard. There is good attention to detail in complicated family situations. Other professionals are impressed with the skills that staff bring to bear with young people who have challenging needs. Education is routinely considered and various options are available, depending on the young people. Staff also engage young people effectively in activities they enjoy, such as swimming and cake making. These events increase their social and domestic skills and contribute to their good health.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people have written placement plans outlining how their needs will be met. The records also show regular input from young people at internal and statutory review meetings. This indicates that they are fully involved in placement planning and in decision-making about their own care. Also, progress is tracked for each young person so the effectiveness of planning can be assessed; this is good practice and a profitable professional development.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from excellent efforts by staff to maintain effective family links. This serves to maintain contact in difficult circumstances and also to provide the members of extended families with relevant support. This subsequently contributes to effective discharges of young people. Good practice is also evident in the improvements that have been made to the admissions procedure. These ensure that young people experience as pleasant an admission as possible.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Staff are successful in preparing young people for adulthood. Appropriate links are made with relevant services, such as Connexions and the necessary documents are in place. Staff follow internal procedures that ensure that children and young people are encouraged to learn the 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378181 personal, social and domestic skills necessary for adulthood. Independence is achieved in budgeting and obtaining personal requisites, for example.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The house itself provides young people with a good model. It is kept clean and tidy and provides young people with an appropriate place to practice their domestic and interpersonal skills. However, carpeting is severely soiled in several places, which gives young people the incorrect impression that this is an acceptable standard.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. A member of staff is delegated to ensure that issues of diversity are given sufficient regular prominence. This also ensures that a programme of activities is followed in practice. Opportunities such as the world cup football tournament are used to provide positive images of different cultures, with appropriate meals and activities. The individual needs of young people are addressed well and are clearly described in their personal files. Staff ensure as far as possible that young people have opportunities that equal or exceed those of young people who are not looked after.

p.6

Organisation

The position of the company on issues of equality and diversity is reflected in an appropriate and up-to-date Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide. These documents also provide relevant information about the staffing arrangements. Young people benefit from one-to-one staffing by an established team, which is a significant benefit to them. Staff themselves receive substantial support and a good standard of training. They display a high standard of competence in dealing with young people and in the operation of the home. On the other hand, overall levels of qualification are below the level required. However, relevant courses are underway and this gap has a low impact on young people at present.

p.6

Organisation

The care of young people is benefitting from more detailed monitoring by the manager. There is also greater contact with other people about their views of the service. This is an important development that helps to maintain and raise standards for young people. Improvements to the monthly monitoring by the responsible person are also in hand. Of particular benefit to the service and young people is the clear improvement in leadership. This is to the credit of the manager in particular and is reflected in the attention to staff training; the way challenges are addressed and the new approach to equality and diversity.

p.6

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.

p.6

Due date Action Standard

16 August 2010 ensure that all parts of the home are kept clean and reasonably maintained, with regard to soiled carpets. (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378181

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the physical restraint policy identifies the approved methods of restraint and physical intervention; that all staff sign a copy and evidence is kept on their personnel file (NMS 22.8) • ensure the risk assessment for control of hot water temperatures is reviewed (NMS 25.8 and 26.2) • ensure there is a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff who have completed their National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People, or have similar qualifications. (NMS 29.5) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378181

p.7