Children's Home run by London Borough of Hounslow in Hounslow

SC062128 Unique reference number 15 June 2010 Inspection date Muhammed Harunur Rashid Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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5 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 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to six young people aged between 12 and 17 for an assessment period of between three and six months. The home is owned and operated by a local authority. The home is located in a residential area near to local amenities and transport links.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor there is a main lounge area and smaller lounge that is mainly used for visitors. The main office is located on the ground floor along with an education room that is equipped with desks and computers. The kitchen and dining room are also on the ground floor and there is a paved, rear garden where young people can take part in outdoor activities.

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Brief description of the service

There are two staircases, one on either side of the home. Each side has three bedrooms and one bathroom for young people plus a staff bedroom. One side is usually used to accommodate females and the other side males.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection one young person was living in the home.

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection all the key standards were inspected.

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Summary

This is a good service. Young people’s welfare is enhanced by the good relationships that exist between young people and staff. Young people are encouraged to eat healthily. They live in a pleasant environment. Young people receive individualised support. Their educational attainments are promoted. The home works closely with a wide range of outside agencies in order to meet the full range of young people’s needs. There are good opportunities for staff training in a number of areas such as safeguarding. Staffing levels are high and young people receive a good standard of care. Individual needs are recognised and plans are in place to address them. Staff are well supported by the newly appointed manager who is committed to promoting the welfare of young people and focusing on improvement.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection three recommendations have been raised which are linked to updating their documents and records and that the manager obtains a management qualification.

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Summary

One young person participated in the inspection process. 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

The service was asked to ensure that staff wait for a response after knocking on bedroom doors, before entering and submit an application for the manager to be registered with Ofsted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service has acted upon these recommendations. These steps help to promote young people's privacy and ensure that a leadership arrangement is in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 Staff are aware of dietary needs of young people. They promote healthy eating and also support young people to plan and choose the menus. The home employs a cook to prepare young people's meals and detailed information is kept about each young person's dietary needs and preferences. This helps the cook to plan suitable meals for young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good arrangements for promoting the health needs of young people. The home works closely with the local health services such as the children and adolescent mental health service and the local drug and alcohol advisory service. Young people are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Staff accompany young people to medical appointments. They maintain records of all appointments young people have attended.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home has a medication administration policy and procedure in place and staff adhere to this. Staff keep records of all medication administered to young people. The medication administration records were examined and found to be satisfactory. Staff are provided with medication administration and first aid training. First aid boxes are provided in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people’s privacy and confidentiality is promoted by; the policy in place, the practice of staff and through the secure storage of young people’s records. Staff wait for a response after knocking on bedroom doors, before entering. Young people are provided with single bedroom accommodation and a sufficient number of bathrooms and toilets are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An appropriate complaint policy and procedure is in place and the procedure is made accessible by being displayed in the home. Staff maintain a complaint log book. The home has not received any complaints recently. However, previous complaints were appropriately recorded and managed according to the home’s procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff protect young people through their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and anti-bullying issues and by following robust procedures. The home has a policy and procedure in place for dealing with unauthorised absence from care. Staff take appropriate action when a young person is suspected of being missing from care. Staff also record the date and time when a young person returns to the home in the missing from care log book.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are provided with guidance and training to improve young people’s socially acceptable behaviour including training in the use of restraint. Young people’s socially acceptable behaviour is appropriately rewarded. There are agreed measures by which to deal with unacceptable behaviour, such as the use of appropriate forms of sanctions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have attended health and safety training. They take appropriate steps to keep young people, visitors and themselves safe from the risk of fire and other hazards. A risk assessment of the premises is in place. Staff carry out regular fire alarm testing and fire drills. Current gas and electric test certificates are available for inspection. A valid employer's liability insurance certificate is displayed in the premises. The home operates closed circuit television at the rear and front of the home for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting welfare of young people. These cameras do not intrude the privacy of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are recruited according to the policy of the local authority which ensures that young people are protected. The human resources department ensures that all necessary documents 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure checks are obtained prior to the appointment of staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. There is a strategy in place to ensure that a key worker is assigned for each young person and the young person is supported in line with their needs and wishes. Young people can approach any member of staff and they are listened to. There is a system in place to develop a monthly progress report on each young person which is sent to the relevant placing authority. Staff develop an individual risk assessment for each young person and a strategy is in place to eliminate or reduce the identified risk factors. However, staff and young people do not always sign and date the risk assessment action plans.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are positive in their approach to education and in promoting the educational attainment of young people. They encourage and support young people to attend formal education and to sit GCSE examinations. The home provides a study/computer room for young people to study. Staff support young people with homework. Computers are provided for recreational and educational purposes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from the placement plans which set out the assessed needs and objectives of the placement. These also state how assessed needs would be met on a day to day basis. The designated key worker monitors the implementation of the placement plan. Young people and their family members are encouraged to attend review meetings and contribute.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain contact with their families and friends. Young people have opportunities to receive visitors in private. Key workers liaise with parents and professionals involved and pass significant information to them where appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are appropriate procedures in place for introducing young people to the home. There are procedures for young people leaving the home covering both planned and emergency departures. The welcome pack includes the young people's guide which provides information about the service on offer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff recognise the importance of involving young people in the day to day running of the home and in the decision making process. Young people are consulted during weekly house meetings. Staff also consult with young people’s families and the placing authorities in order to improve the service they offer. Young people have access to independent advocacy services and the Children's Rights Officer. They visit the home and attend house meetings.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Staff encourage and support young people to develop independent living skills. Staff support them to look after their personal space. Young people have opportunities to be involved in house shopping and making snacks at home. Staff support young people to travel independently and to buy various items for themselves. Staff work together with a link organisation to provide semi-independent training for young people. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 The home’s location, design and size are in keeping with its purpose and function. The home is close to all local amenities. The home serves the needs of young people. The premises are well decorated, furnished and maintained to a high standard. Staff encourage young people to personalise their bedrooms in accordance with their wishes. Young people are celebrating the football World Cup 2010 by displaying various national flags and photographs of the England

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The home has a Statement of Purpose. This states the aims and objectives of the service. However, this includes names of the staff who no longer work in the home. The young people’s guide provides information regarding the facilities available to them and is written in a form appropriate to their age and ability.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Evidence supports a consistent commitment to improving equality and diversity in practice. Young people receive an individualised service in the home which is designed to meet their personal needs. Staff have attended equality and diversity training. Staff are recruited from a various minority ethnic groups and have a good understanding of young people's dietary, religious and cultural needs.

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Organisation

Appropriate staffing arrangements are in place to meet young people’s assessed needs. Young people are supported by qualified and experienced staff. The home has recently appointed a new manager who has applied for her registration with Ofsted. The manager reviews staffing levels in accordance with the assessed needs of young people. Rotas show there is a balance of gender and cultural backgrounds of staff where possible. The general competence and experience of staff helps them to work with young people who have complex needs. There is a handover period between shifts that allows staff to discuss any particular issues and plans for shift ahead.

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Organisation

The manager has completed the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 4 in Health and Social Care. She is going to pursue NVQ Level 4 in the Caring for Children and Young People. She has several years of experience working in child care settings. The manager is available for both staff and young people for support and advice.

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Organisation

All staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals from their line manager. Weekly staff meetings are held and staff have opportunities to contribute to the meetings.

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Organisation

The staff team have access to various internal and external training. Staff receive various training for their professional development, such as, health and safety, first aid, food hygiene, challenging behaviour and safeguarding. Over 80% of staff have completed their NVQ Level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People. The staff team is supported by ancillary staff who cook meals and keep the place clean.

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Organisation

Each young person has a permanent private and secure record of their history, development and progress throughout their childhood.

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Organisation

There is a system in place to monitor the performance of the home against the Statement of Purpose. The service manager who also conducts visits in accordance with regulation 33, 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128 regularly attends the home. The manager monitors and signs the home’s records and takes appropriate steps on issues requiring action.

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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): • ensure that staff and young people sign and date risk assessment action plans (NMS 7) • update the Statement of Purpose and delete the names of staff who no longer work in the home (NMS 1) • ensure that the newly appointed manager completes her NVQ at Level 4 in Caring for Children and Young People. (NMS 34) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062128

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