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

SC378187 Unique reference number 29 July 2010 Inspection date David Morgan Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

25 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: SC378187

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 is registered to provide care for up to two children or young people aged from eight to under 18 years who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The property is a four-bedroom, detached house that was built in 2008 and is in a suburban area with shops close-by and ready access to the countryside. Each child has their own good sized bedroom, one with an en-suite shower and toilet, and there are gardens at the front and rear.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Both young people currently resident contributed to this inspection, either in person or by questionnaire.

p.4

Summary

The overall rating at this full unannounced inspection of all areas of care is increased to good. This is an indication of more rigorous leadership in the home. However, certain aspects of care require attention so that young people benefit as much as possible from their time here. Also, procedures are insufficiently clear about acceptable forms of restraint. 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

No actions or recommendations were made at the last inspection.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people’s health is monitored carefully and professional support is requested promptly, when required. Medication is well-managed. Young people are helped to take regular exercise and join-in community events, such as fun runs. Meals take into account individual wishes and needs and are sociable occasions wherever possible. Such opportunities are used to discuss other cultures. Close attention is paid to dietary intake and young people are helped to eat nutritionally balanced meals. Young people are encouraged to increase their independence skills around the house, including in the kitchen; this includes regular opportunities to plan meals and budget.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people enjoy a high level of privacy because they have their own rooms in a small home. One young person said, ‘It feels like a family.' Staff ensure young people are fully aware of their right to complain but concerns are usually resolved informally. Staff are fully alert to issues that might place young people in risky situations and provide appropriate levels of supervision and advice. This serves to effectively protect young people from being absent without authority. Similarly, the organisation of the home minimises bullying. One social worker considers that her young person is ‘flourishing’ since being admitted to the home. Staff maintain good contact with other agencies, such as social workers. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378187 Management set a high standard of welfare for young people. This means that staff adhere to high professional standards, for example, in the use of the internet. Further work is underway

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to ensure staff are fully familiar with modern technology that affects the safety of young people, such as social networking sites. Young people are encouraged by staff to behave appropriately through role-modelling and discussions. Suitable measures are in place to address shortfalls and reward acceptable behaviour. However, there is insufficient information in the behaviour management procedure about the types of restraint that are permissible. This leads to potential difficulties in the training and supervision of staff in this area of care. However, in terms of the recent impact of practices on young people, tracking sheets show marked improvements in their behaviours in short periods of time, which is to the credit of staff.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety of young people is also addressed well by fire precautions, related staff training and other safety precautions. Fire drills, for example, rehearse the steps that would be taken in worst-case scenarios and increase the safety levels for all concerned. High safety levels are also ensured by thorough staff recruitment practices, which go to the lengths of consulting all previous relevant employers.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The small size of the home means that young people benefit from good attention to their individual needs. Staff are adept at establishing effective working relationships with young people so their individual difficulties are addressed. Support is available during normal household activities and also more formal key worker discussions. Similarly, planned and impromptu opportunities are routinely taken to explain issues of social diversity that are particularly relevant to each young person.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This sort of education is fully compatible with young people’s formal education, which is strongly facilitated by staff. A helpful variety of education options are available to address individual needs. In addition, the manager is developing the range of materials that staff use in the short-term if young people are not at school. Staff ensure that in-house education includes attention to issues of equality and diversity. Staff are increasingly alert to opportunities to expose young people to religious diversity, for example, and they discuss such issues in a positive way. Opportunities arise in many social situations too, and young people are helped to use local clubs and societies, depending on their sporting and recreational interests.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from very clear and thorough processes when they move in. These help to ensure that important information is understood and that these difficult periods are as positive as possible. Subsequently, there is a thorough process for identifying and planning for each young person’s needs. Comprehensive paperwork incorporates information from other professionals, for example from statutory reviews. It also includes simple assessments of young people’s progress, which is good practice. However, the process does not ensure that relevant placement plan targets are sufficiently precise or addressed and recorded on a daily basis. This applies, for example, to certain behavioural, dietary and independence issues. This means that valuable opportunities are being lost and young people’s progress, despite being good in many areas, is less than is possible. On the other hand, records show that young people are consulted

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378187 on a daily basis about their care and the way the home is run; this is an important contribution to their feelings of belonging.

p.5

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive good support to prepare them for adulthood that is effective in practice. For example, young people are helped to obtain and maintain work placements. The operation of the home and organisation of staff provide important models. In addition, staff provide one-to-one help that includes allowing young people to take risks and increasingly organise their own lives. Independence is facilitated for all ages and includes budgeting and contributing to household tasks. In addition, young people enjoy a high standard of homely accommodation with good sized bedrooms. Attention is required, however, to some damaged furniture, which unless it is addressed promptly, potentially encourages further damage and creates a poor impression.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff take both planned and unplanned opportunities to discuss equality and diversity issues with young people. Cultural events are recognised and incorporated into daily activities. Examples include the use of handouts and word-search games developed around themes. Young people's personal experiences are used to help them understand other groups in society. Improvements are evident in this procedure so that it is more integrated into the routine operation of the home and therefore more accepted by young people.

p.6

Organisation

Young people’s personal files clearly show the barriers to equality that they face. They also show their active involvement in addressing these issues. The home’s Statement of Purpose reflects the organisation’s position on equality and diversity generally and also other issues such as the staffing arrangements. Staff support is well organised and includes team-building events from time-to-time, individual supervision and team meetings. There are usually at least two staff on duty, which is sufficient to meet the needs of young people. Staff show a good level of competence and contribute to the development of good practices in the home. For example, the recent attention to improving equality and diversity procedures and better records. There are also good training opportunities for staff that take into account how much experience they have; professional qualifications are routinely undertaken at suitable levels.

p.6

Organisation

Appropriate and satisfactory monitoring systems are used by the manager and proprietor. In addition, there is improved consultation with other people about the operation of the service. This provides valuable third party information. The leadership provided to staff is better than before and ambitious targets are in place, which is an important contribution to young people’s welfare.

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. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378187

p.6

Due date Action Standard

30 August 2010 ensure the written behaviour management policy sets out the restraint that may be used in the home. (Regulation 17(2)(a))

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure each placement plan shows how the assessed needs of each child will be met by the registered person on a day-to-day basis (NMS 2.1) • ensure that any damage to furniture is repaired promptly. (NMS 24.3) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC378187

p.7