New Park Project (The)

SC065046 Unique reference number 30 June 2010 Inspection date Stephanie Omosevwerha Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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29 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: SC065046

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Brief description of the service

This setting is a small children's home owned and operated by a private provider. The property is a detached house which is indistinguishable from other properties in the area. The home is within walking distance of local shops and amenities and has easy public transport links to other town centres nearby.

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Brief description of the service

The property consists of four bedrooms for young people, one office which doubles as a sleeping-in room for staff, a further sleeping-in room, lounge, dining room, kitchen, two bath/shower rooms and toilets and a garden. The home caters for up to four young people aged between eight and 17 years old for short and longer term care who are unable to live with families or in foster care. The home opened on 24 November 2005 and is one of three children's homes operated by the same provider.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of this inspection there were four young people accommodated in the home.

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Summary

This was an unannounced visit to the home inspecting all the key national minimum standards and assessing progress made on the previous recommendation and requirements identified at the last inspection.

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Summary

The home is providing a satisfactory standard of care overall, however, the outcomes linked to the care of young people and the progress they make in the home are good. Young people speak positively about their care in the home and can see constructive improvements to their lives as a result of being placed there. Young people have developed excellent relationships with members of staff and feel they provide very positive role models. Staff have been particularly successful at helping young people adopt a more healthy lifestyle, supporting them with their education and helping them to find employment.

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Summary

The shortfalls identified are mainly concerned with organisational issues that need to be improved and do not have a direct impact on the care of young people. The home particularly needs to improve the organisation of staff recruitment files to ensure all required evidence is present. Other recommendations include the recording of medication, recording actions clearly relating to notifiable incidents, ensuring an electrical safety certificate is available, and the manager carrying out monthly monitoring of the home's performance. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection made one requirement and three recommendations. The requirement concerning the submission of an application to register the manager of the home with Ofsted is still outstanding. This is because the previous applicant left the home and a new manager has only just been recruited. He is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two of the recommendations have been fully met, the third has been partially met. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046 The restraint book is now properly completed with all the required details relating to the incident fully recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The certificate for the annual gas safety check was in place in the home. The certificate for the safety check of electrical installations was still not available, although an invoice was produced to show a visit had been carried out. This does not provide evidence of whether any actions were set as a result of the visit and the certificate is still needed to verify services comply with recommended standards of safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Statement of Purpose has been fully revised to a high standard providing up-to-date information about the operation of the home and the new management structure.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people are provided with a balanced diet that caters for their likes and dislikes. Young people are consulted about menu planning and the majority enjoy the food provided. They have opportunities to shop and are able to prepare meals, snacks and drinks if they wish. Meals are relaxed occasions and staff are able to be flexible about mealtimes to accommodate young people's activities and plans. Staff promote healthy eating and work with other professionals, such as dieticians, to ensure young people's dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's well-being is promoted and staff have a good understanding of each young person's physical and emotional needs. Young people are provided with appropriate guidance, advice and support on health and personal care issues, including attending all necessary routine health appointments. Young people commented they felt there had been an improvement in their health since living in the home and particularly noted a reduction in their alcohol and drug use. Young people benefit from opportunities to take part in a range of physical activities which further promotes their well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are appropriate procedures in place for the management of medication, which is kept securely in the home. Written parental consent is obtained to ensure emergency aid can be given. Records are kept of any first aid or minor illness treatment. Records of medication do not fully specify the dosage prescribed, which could potentially lead to an error in administering medication to young people. This was amended immediately on the day of the inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Young people feel their privacy is respected and staff are mindful of their personal space and protecting confidential information. There is clear guidance concerning confidentiality issues, which young people are aware of, for example, procedures for carrying out room searches. Young people felt very confident about raising issues with staff and said they were listened to and their concerns were taken on board. Young people are aware of the formal complaints procedure, however, they prefer to raise issues with staff as they occurred rather than make a formal complaint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel safe in the home. Staff are clear about safeguarding procedures and are aware of their responsibilities to promptly report any concerns and liaise appropriately with the local safeguarding board. A written record is kept of any significant events in the home 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046 but does not currently include details of all actions taken, for example, whether the relevant authorities have been notified.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the potential for bullying to occur in group living and risk assessments identify if young people are vulnerable to being bullied or likely to bully others. Staff work hard to create an atmosphere in which bullying is unacceptable and young people are well supported and guided when incidents occur. Staff work effectively with young people likely to go missing. This is not a significant problem at present as most incidents recorded involve young people returning late on occasions rather being away from the home for extended periods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff work hard to engage young people and build positive relationships, which has contributed to improvements in young people's behaviour during their time in the home. Young people respond to staff as effective role models enabling young people to consider the impact of their behaviour and bring about change. There is good use of incentives to help young people work towards achievable goals. Young people appreciated staff support and were responsive to the more therapeutic approach taken, particularly the philosophy that each shift was a new one allowing previous incidents to be forgotten. This approach was successful with the current group of young people further evidenced by the calm atmosphere in the home and very low number of violent incidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe environment with good provision for the management of risk. Young people have individual risk assessments to ensure their safety both in the home and the community. The building is risk assessed and regular checks take place to ensure all aspects of safety are properly maintained. There is evidence that servicing of equipment and facilities takes place, however, staff were still unable to locate the certificate for electrical installations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment practices were in the main satisfactory and did not subject young people to any unnecessary risk, however, there were gaps in recruitment information that was missing rather than not received, meaning that staff records do not meet current regulatory requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people benefit from a good level of individual attention. Young people report an excellent rapport with the staff team and meet regularly with their key worker to identify their specific needs and any action that should to be taken. Young people are encouraged to take part in activities that reflect their individual interests and hobbies, including access to church groups and youth clubs in the community. Young people are supported to access outside agencies to provide them with independent support, such as contacting an advocate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff recognise the importance of education and encourage young people's attainment. Young people felt they received excellent support with their education, including those who were unmotivated but felt their attendance had improved since living in the home. Young people who are not in education are supported to find appropriate employment and they were evidently proud of their achievement in getting a job.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046 Young people's needs are effectively assessed and they are appropriately placed in the home. Their needs are clearly outlined in comprehensive placement plans which are consistent with those prepared by the placing authority. Young people have regular support sessions with their keyworker who is responsible for monitoring the young person's plan and ensuring it is implemented in practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's needs and development are regularly reviewed and statutory reviews are taking place as required. Young people are encouraged to participate and contribute their views and wishes. They are supported by staff who also contribute effectively to the process by providing a written summary of the young person's progress and attending the review.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff recognise the importance of family relationships and enable young people to maintain constructive contact. Arrangements are clearly noted on young people's files including any restrictions to ensure young people are kept safe. Good practical support is given, such as the provision of transport, providing staff for supervised visits and telephone calls. Staff encourage young people to build a social network outside of the home to help them develop positive relationships with other young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are effective procedures for introducing young people to the home. Young people are given good guidance on admission to the home and written information tells them what to expect. Young people are supported to move in by a member of staff who covers all the essential things young people need to know, for example, house rules, how to complain and fire procedures. Young people are supported to leave the home and staff encourage young people to keep in touch and continue to offer informal support after they have left.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have opportunities to contribute to the daily running of the home and are regularly consulted about issues such as food choices and activities. They are encouraged to make decisions about their lives and have opportunities to feedback their views in a variety of ways, such as keyworker sessions, house meetings and written feedback questionnaires. Staff recognise the importance of working with parents and listen to their views about the young people's care. The home endeavours to develop productive working relationships with local authorities and is open to taking on board their views, for example, one authority recently contributed to updating the home's child protection procedures.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are given support and assistance to enable a successful transition into adulthood. Staff recognise the importance of young people gaining skills to help them with both their emotional and practical needs for the future. This includes supporting them with a range of activities designed to increase their independence, such as budgeting, cooking, laundry, applying for jobs and accessing public services.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy facilities that are pleasantly decorated and create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Young people make good use of communal facilities and have single bedrooms that they are encouraged to personalise. The home is well maintained with a good programme for servicing and repairs in place. Young people benefit from the home's residential location which is conveniently situated enabling them to access a range of leisure facilities and amenities. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The Statement of Purpose and young people's guide have recently been revised to a high standard. They are very informative providing an insight into the care provided by the home and recent changes, including the appointment of a manager who is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. The young people's guide is particularly notable presenting information in a high quality and attractive format.

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Organisation

Young people are cared for by a stable staff team who have a good mix of skills and experience. The home benefits from a high ratio of qualified staff which ensures they are competent at working with young people, particularly those with more complex behaviours. There is a strong commitment to training and staff are offered original and individual training packages to meet their particular development needs, this includes two members of staff being supported to undertake the Diploma in Social Work. This enables staff to look at career progression through the organisation and contributes to effective staff retention. A comprehensive induction programme is in place for new staff to ensure they are equipped with the skills they need to work with the young people.

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Organisation

Young people feel staff are approachable and there are sufficient staff on duty to meet their needs. Staff feel well supported in their roles, including regular on call support to ensure they receive guidance when it is needed. Staff are well motivated and committed to improving outcomes for young people, particularly evident by the fact that although the home has had a period without a manager this has not impacted on the care of the young people.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young people have plans that reflect their individuality and take into account any needs in relation to gender, disability, religion, race or culture. They are consulted and able to actively participate in the day-to-day running of the home. Young people are supported to pursue their individual interests and make good use of local facilities and amenities in the community. The organisation incorporates equal opportunities into policies and procedures and this is reflected in working practices. An excellent example of this is the commitment to meeting the training needs of staff in a highly individualised and creative way.

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Organisation

The performance of the home is monitored effectively by visits from the responsible individual. The reports of these visits are informative and provide good insight into the performance of the home and clearly identify actions for improvement. Internal monitoring has suffered due to the gap between the previous manager leaving and a new manager being appointed meaning that there are no manager's reports available since March 2010.

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Organisation

Young people's records are kept securely and provide an accurate reflection of their needs, development and progress during their time in the home.

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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. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046

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Due date Action Standard

2 August 2010 ensure all information is available on each member of staff's file as specified in Schedule 2, specifically evidence that an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check has been undertaken. (Regulation 26) 1 October 2010 submit an application for registration for the person in charge of the day-to-day running of the provision to ensure the fitness of the manager as per Regulation 8.

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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 the written record of medication contains accurate information about the prescribed dosage. (NMS 13) • keep a written record following notifiable events including details of any actions taken such as reporting to appropriate authorities. (NMS 20) • ensure certificates of any inspections of services and facilities, such as electrical installations, are kept in the home as evidence these visits have been carried out. (NMS 26) • ensure that the home's performance is monitored by the manager at least once a month. (NMS 33) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC065046

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