Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

SC366090 Unique reference number 13 July 2010 Inspection date Dawn Taylor Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

10 November 2009 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: SC366090

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to accommodate two young people, of the same gender, with an age range from 12 years up until their eighteenth birthday.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is rurally situated in a small village but is within easy commuting distance of a large town. This detached home is set in its own enclosed garden.

p.4

Summary

This inspection was a key, announced inspection visit. The outcome groups relating to being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were assessed.

p.4

Summary

The young people were present and participated in the inspection process.

p.4

Summary

The overall outcome judgement is outstanding. Being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were all judged to be outstanding.

p.4

Summary

This company has established policies and procedures, which are underpinned by a comprehensive framework of staff training. This ensures high quality practice, which is robust and sustained. This service is consistently achieving outstanding outcomes for young people. The key strengths of this home are the professional, well informed staff team, the promotion of education, the support young people receive to develop a strong sense of identity and the skills they learn to move on into adulthood. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There were no recommendations or actions made at the last inspection.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Healthcare and the promotion of healthy lifestyles is outstanding. Young people know the importance of looking after their health through planned and informal discussions, education and staff support. For example, young people are proactively involved in planning purposeful activity programmes and healthy, nutritious menus. Excellent staff practice is informed by the company's established policies and procedures, which underpin a comprehensive programme of staff training. This ensures staff are able to meet the emotional, social and physical health needs of young people. Young people leave the home with the knowledge and skills they require to make informed decisions about their health and the lifestyles they lead.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

This outstanding practice is further enhanced by the company's therapy team who undertake direct work with young people and also attend all house meetings to facilitate discussions with the staff team. The company also has established links with a local authority health care agency, 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC366090 which provides guidance and training to staff and young people, as well as direct confidential support to all young people with regard to relationships, sexuality and sexual health.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. This home has, over a sustained period, supported young people to address and manage high risk behaviours and achieve outstanding outcomes. Staff are proactive at working with a range of professionals within the company and local community to meet the holistic needs of young people. Staff have a clear understanding of progress made because patterns and trends of behaviour are continually monitored and practice is adjusted accordingly. Young people are always involved in discussions about inappropriate behaviours, and achievements and successes are celebrated. The staff maintain a safe environment and create a homely, calm, secure atmosphere.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have robust training that covers all safeguarding issues. In addition, all Registered Managers have achieved their local authority's level 2 safeguarding training. This year the company are focusing on all seniors achieving their local authority's level 2 safeguarding training. There are two Registered Managers within the company who have qualified with the local authority to deliver this training and the company are working in partnership with the local authority to deliver safeguarding training to all the local authority's childcare services.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records relating to staff recruitment and selection were checked at the company's headquarters in June 2010. The company's recruitment and selection process is robust and the procedure includes checks over and above those required in the Children Home's Regulations.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive outstanding support that ensures their individual needs are identified and met. The staff team communicate effectively with young people involving them in decisions about their placement and their future. This staff team are skilled at ensuring young people experience progress and success by continually modifying plans and reviewing timescales.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational opportunities are outstanding and take into account each young person's current needs, as well as their potential. As a result, young people are making outstanding progress. Young people receive excellent support and encouragement with their educational attainment from the home's staff team. The company operates its own registered school, as well as an outdoor education department. The service will also support young people to attend mainstream schools or colleges or those who are employed or in work experience. Where appropriate the home's staff will support young people in their educational establishment. There is outstanding dialogue between the home and the company's school, which ensures young people get the support they require to continue to achieve.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. With the support of a professional and caring staff team young people are continuing to make significant progress in meeting their identified needs. 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC366090 There are established procedures for supporting young people to move into and leave the home. These provide staff with clear guidance and practical options that ensure the most appropriate and sensitive approach can be implemented for each individual young person depending upon their circumstance.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

All young people have a placement plan that contains detailed up-to-date information. These are monitored by the Registered Manager and the young peoples' key workers. They meet with young people on a regular basis to ensure the requirements of their plan are implemented on a day-to-day basis. Consultation is an integral part of the home's ethos. Communication and the art of communication is promoted at all times through strong staff role models, daily discussions and activities, social opportunities and education.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The company are committed to supporting contact with family and significant others and believe it to be of vital importance that the family remain central to the young person's life. The staff team's commitment to parent involvement and positive family relationships has resulted in outstanding outcomes for young people. Contact arrangements are clear to young people because they are recorded in placement plans and the staff team are well informed.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people are proactively supported to develop the skills and knowledge they require to move on into adulthood. Staff focus on each young person's individual needs and situation. Established company policies and procedures enable staff to tailor independence plans in line with local authority pathway plans and young people's wishes. They work within the home but also out in the wider community and in the geographical area of the adult provision to ensure young people have the information they require to move on.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is furnished, decorated and maintained to a high standard. The work to maintain the property, furniture and décor is on going and the young people are actively involved. This demonstrates the company's and staff team's commitment to ensuring a welcoming and homely environment at all times.

p.6

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. This home fulfils its aims and meets the needs of the young people well. Its values and ethos are clearly stated in the Statement of Purpose and young person's guide. These documents are regularly updated by the Registered Manager and reviewed formally on an annual basis. They are made available to young people, parents and social workers and form the basis of induction for all staff.

p.6

Organisation

The Registered Manager continues to provide effective day-to-day support to staff whose commitment to ensuring a consistent quality of service is a strength of the home. Young people are benefiting from a professional staff group, who are motivated and manage their time well. The skills within the team are well matched to the needs of the young people accommodated.

p.6

Organisation

Young people are looked after by staff who are themselves proactively supported and guided in safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare and meeting their individual needs. All staff receive a full induction, regular supervision and annual appraisals. All staff are provided 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC366090 with comprehensive policies, procedures and guidance that promotes the strong values and ethos of the service. Staff continue to receive a wide range of in-house training to ensure their childcare practice remains up-to-date. This is a key strength of the company and as a result, staff are suitably trained to support the diverse needs of young people with complex needs.

p.6

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. There are comprehensive policies and procedural guidance for staff on anti-bullying, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. Respectful behaviour towards others is integral to the ethos of this company and this home's staff team.

p.7

Organisation

Monthly monitoring visits are an outstanding feature of the company and include the young people's views. This internal monitoring and regulation ensures praise and acknowledgement of strong practice but also addresses shortfalls with an appropriate measure of rigor.

p.7

Organisation

The young people's files and records are well maintained and structured to provide easy access to information. Each young person’s file contains the necessary information as detailed in Schedule 3 of the Children’s Homes Regulations.

p.7

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.

p.7

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC366090

p.7