Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

SC036737 Unique reference number 6 August 2010 Inspection date Joanne Vyas Inspector Random Type of 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: SC036737

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority children's home providing long-term and short break services to children in the local area. The accommodation is split into three separate units, two for short breaks and one residential unit. All of the children have physical disabilities and some have complex health care needs. All areas provide attractive and accessible communal rooms, play areas, bedrooms and bathroom facilities.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large house, set in pleasant extensive grounds, in a rural area close to a nearby town where there are shopping and recreational facilities.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection focussed on the progress the service has made with the action made at the last inspection as well as reviewing all the key standards under the outcome area of staying safe. The action related to notifications to Ofsted. The outcome areas; being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not looked at during this inspection.

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Summary

This home continues not to notify Ofsted in accordance with Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations and has also potentially put children at risk by not complying with safeguarding procedures. However, the care provided for children is clearly outstanding. Staff are competent, qualified and professional as well as warm and caring. 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 Registered Manager has not complied with the action made at the previous inspection. Notifications to Ofsted continue not to be made in accordance with Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The safety and rights of both staff and children are protected. However, the Registered Manager and the organisation have failed to follow safeguarding procedures which may have put children at risk. Safeguarding children has now been made a priority and the staff team including the Registered Manager, have recently received further training to ensure competence for the future. Notifications to Ofsted, in accordance with Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations, continue not to be sent into Ofsted. Although, this has little impact on current outcomes for children, these must be sent into Ofsted so that Ofsted can check there is continued compliance with the regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good knowledge of the bullying policy although they feel that bullying does not occur in the home due to the nature of the children and the high staffing levels. There are no 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737 incidents of children going missing from the home. The high staffing levels, staff competence and the security in and outside the building ensure children are kept safe. No concerns have been raised by parents or children but procedures are in place to ensure they would be appropriately and swiftly resolved. Staff know and understand the children and how they communicate which ensures they can act appropriately if children are unhappy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy of children is respected by staff. The living arrangements provide space where they can relax and easily find privacy away from others if they wish. Staff ensure the privacy and dignity of the children, such as by keeping bathroom and toilet doors shut when children are receiving personal care. All records are kept confidentially. Children's issues are not discussed openly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff view children positively and children are relaxed around staff. Staff are given training, which includes de-escalation techniques as well as physical intervention. Physical intervention is used as a last resort. There has been no physical intervention carried out in this home for a number of years. Staff said they will give a child time to calm down, speak to them, offer a drink or distract them with another activity. The behaviour management plans are comprehensive. Sanctions have also not been given for a number of years. Therefore, staff effectively manage challenging behaviour in a calm and professional manner. High staffing levels, staff competence and comprehensive risk assessments ensure the safety of the children who live in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by robust recruitment procedures and monitoring of visitors. Safety checks are completed and staff only commence employment when they have a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and two satisfactory references. All visitors sign into the building and must show identification.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff are given fire safety training and fire drills are carried out, although there has only been one drill so far this year. However, the children involved in the fire drill have not been recorded making it difficult to assess which children have been involved in a drill and which have not. Fire safety equipment is checked as appropriate and a detailed record kept. Children are protected by satisfactory health and safety procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737

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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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Due date Action Standard

13 August 2010 notify Ofsted without delay the matters set out in Schedule 5, in particular any serious illness or accident sustained by a child (Regulation 30, schedule 5)

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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 there are at least four fire drills, including the evacuation of staff and children from the building and fire drills held at night, take place in a 12 month period, and are recorded. (NMS 26.8) 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC036737

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