Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cotswold Chine School in Gloucestershire

SC030367 Unique reference number 24 June 2010 Inspection date Clare Davies Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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27 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 6 Inspection Report: SC030367

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Brief description of the service

This independent, charitable school is also registered as a children's home. The school accommodates up to 42 boys and girls, usually aged between nine and 19. The school follows the principles of care and education developed by Rudolf Steiner. The school has residential accommodation in seven houses known as house groups. Three of the school's house groups are attached to the main school campus, the remaining four house groups are all situated within a mile or so of the school. The trust that runs the school has been accredited as an awarding centre for National Vocational Qualifications.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection, which was undertaken to assess how well the home is working to keep young people safe and to consider the recommendations made at the last inspection. All key standards in staying safe were assessed. The recommendations from the last inspection have been reviewed and all have now been met.

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Summary

There is an outstanding commitment from all the staff towards the safety and welfare of students. This stems from sound policies and procedures that support trained staff with safe working practices. Students enjoy the opportunities to achieve in their personal and social development, they are supported by staff with boundaries that are considered 'fair'. No actions or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection. 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

There were two recommendations made at the last inspection to improve practice in the outcome areas of being healthy and staying safe. They have both been satisfactorily addressed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. One standard, relating to central records of medication, was assessed under this outcome area to consider the recommendation made at the last inspection. The nurse reported that she keeps a stock record of pain relief medication and any prescribed for individual students. This ensures that all medication is accounted for as it comes into the school and then further issued to house groups. Any discrepancies can be easily tracked for an explanation. Not all the key standards have been assessed during this short inspection, this outcome remains unchanged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff are supported and trained in delivering excellent care practices to ensure that the welfare of the students is promoted and safeguarded. The home's safeguarding policy is clear and has been updated to incorporate new legislation. The staff have a very good understanding of their responsibilities and by having an acute awareness of the needs of the students in their care, they take prompt and robust action to protect them. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC030367 Students have their own bedrooms and have a digital safe. They report that this ensures their personal possessions can be stored securely and therefore rarely go missing. The staff respect each student's privacy whilst balancing appropriate levels of supervision. The system for students to complain is well known and they can talk to any member of staff or go directly to a registered manager who is responsible for dealing with any complaints. There is a dedicated complaint

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

form available; however students can also send an email or write their concerns in a letter. The records confirm that students do express concerns and generally their complaints are satisfactorily resolved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In response to requests from students, some electrical entertainment systems are now permitted. These include personal DVD players, laptops, small games consoles and music systems. To ensure that these are used appropriately and without compromising student safety, a written agreement is signed by each student with parental consent. Matters of cyber bullying are addressed and electrical items may be confiscated if misused.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through daily circle time and school assemblies staff emphasise that bullying is unacceptable; they are alert to those students who are likely to bully as well as those who are vulnerable. Staff remain diligent in following through any incidents with the individuals concerned and ensure appropriate support is accessed. Bullying is also discussed at staff meetings enabling trends to be identified and strategies put in place to reduce the risk of it continuing. There is a talking and listening group led by a clinical psychologist, this group session allows students to discuss concerns such as bullying and harassment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are sound procedures to follow in response to any unauthorised absence. The school has developed a working relationship with the local police should they need to become involved with any students who are reported as missing. There is effective use of positive reinforcement and students themselves say that they feel the rules are fair. Staff are successful in the work that they do to encourage young people to behave in a socially acceptable way, this can be measured through the students' achievements in a grading system linked to privileges and responsibilities. Staff are trained to respond to behaviour that is challenging by diffusing the situation and encouraging students to choose an appropriate course of action. When staff have to physically intervene they follow an approved method of intervention and make clear records that are subsequently shared with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Open communication supports the strength and development of relationships between the staff and students. There is a comprehensive collation of details involving any physical intervention, this allows the senior staff to monitor any pattern or trends and ensure that care practices are appropriate. Where sanctions are applied they are relevant and sometimes make a contribution to the group. For example where a student may have caused disruption that has had an impact on others they may write a letter of apology or bake a cake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A regular panel made up of senior staff, a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and other professionals meet to discuss current behaviour from across the school and from individuals. The meeting enables a holistic view to be considered and determine what therapeutic support can be provided along with any other resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are sound systems in place to maintain safety across the site and individual house groups. A dedicated health and safety officer trains staff to be vigilant about undertaking the necessary checks on electrical equipment and general safety within the home environment. There is 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC030367 excellent monitoring of fire safety with students taking part in regular evacuation drills, this ensures that they know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency. The environment and activities are all subject to thorough risk assessment. Residential trips planned for the summer holidays use accommodation from accredited providers who have undertaken their own stringent safety checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation has a robust recruitment policy, where additional references are sought if information originally provided is minimal and considered insufficient. The checks that are done ensure that all staff are properly vetted before they start work at the home. Visitors to the home are also checked, these processes help protect students from unauthorised individuals gaining access.

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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

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC030367

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