Children's Home run by Partners in Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

SC035049 Unique reference number 25 August 2010 Inspection date Sue Winson Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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15 December 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 8 Inspection Report: SC035049

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is a two-storey detached home set in its own grounds in a residential area of a small village. It is within easy travelling distance of local towns and cities. The ground floor of the accommodation consists of a large communal lounge area, a separate dining room area, a fully fitted kitchen and a staff office that doubles as a sleeping room with its own en-suite bathroom facilities. The upper floor contains two single bedrooms for young people's use, one of which is en-suite, a bathroom with bath, shower and toilet facilities, and another staff sleeping-in room. The home is set in its own spacious gardens and can provide accommodation for three young people of either gender at any one time. Young people are allocated their own individual bedrooms.

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection considered all key standards in every outcome area. Two young people were present. This is a good home where the safety and welfare of young people is promoted well. The manager and staff are child-focused and help young people to achieve positive outcomes through individualised care and support. Education and healthy living are well promoted. Young people have a voice and their views and opinions are listened to and respected. Working in partnership with parents and other agencies and professionals is evident and benefits the young people. Effective placement planning details individual work with young people which is also done in line with their risk assessments. Diversity and equality are well promoted in all aspects of the service. There are sufficient staff who are well managed and there is a robust quality assurance system. There are some outstanding staff training needs

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Summary

and not all supervisions are taking place at the required frequency. 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

Action has been taken in line with the two recommendations made at the last inspection. The manager has written procedures for staff guidance when young people are absent without authority. Records of physical intervention have been changed to ensure that events are recorded in sufficient detail.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people have a balanced and varied diet and enjoy the opportunities to budget, shop for ingredients and cook meals. They benefit from the advice and support of staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and individual diets are monitored. The home has an allotment nearby and young people are involved in growing fruit and vegetables. Healthy living is well promoted, young people are encouraged to take exercise and all staff and young people are members of a local gym.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health needs are identified and met. Detailed health plans are compiled which are informed by full information from placing social workers. These include emotional and physical needs and there is a focus on improving self esteem and self confidence. The home ensures that young people have access to health professionals as necessary and are informed 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC035049 about local resources and agencies. Health promotion is discussed with the young people in group meetings and individual sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The procedures and practices for the administration of medication serve to protect the young people. Medications are safely stored, full records are maintained and stock checks take place regularly. Staff training on the administration of medication has been arranged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people are treated with dignity and respect. Staff knock on bedroom doors before entering and young people are aware of, and encouraged to be involved when it is necessary to search bedrooms. They can make telephone calls and see visitors in private. Information is stored securely to ensure confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare and safety of young people is promoted. Complaints have been addressed without delay and complainants are kept informed of progress in writing. Young people know about the complaints procedure and are regularly reminded of their rights. There is a strong focus on helping young people keep themselves safe and staff work with them in groups and individually to discuss issues. Young people commented that the home is good at keeping them safe and they are clear that staff are there to protect them. An appropriate balance between independence and safeguarding is maintained through discussions with the young people, who are further protected by comprehensive risk management strategies. Effective communication between the staff and social workers ensures that any areas of concern are discussed in a timely manner. Staff training, including updates on child protection have been booked in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying. They know about their rights and what constitutes bullying and staff remind them in the young people's meetings, and through individual work. They expressed confidence that any incidents would be addressed. Young people who are absent without authority are protected as far as is possible. The home has been successful in reducing the number of incidents. Full records are maintained which demonstrate that appropriate actions are taken to safeguard the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff practice positive behaviour management to the benefit of the young people, who are encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Good relationships between the staff and the young people and consistency of care contribute to the effectiveness of behaviour management strategies. Sanctions are of short duration and are fair and reasonable. There have been very few incidents requiring physical intervention and these are fully recorded. They demonstrate that restraint is used only where necessary for safety reasons. The home uses a reward system which the young people like and respond to positively. A small number of achievable goals are identified with each young person and they are encouraged, reminded and sometimes assisted to achieve them. Young people know the rules and commented that, 'I think some are unfair but they have to be done to help young people grow, for example,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

washing and cleaning your room'. Staff receive training including updates in behaviour management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk assessments serve as working documents and provide staff with specific guidance on managing risks, to keep young people safe. They contain clear and specific strategies to reduce or minimise risks and are updated regularly with the involvement of the young people. The home provides safety and security and appropriate checks are carried out within the required 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC035049 timescales. Young people have the opportunity to practice evacuating the building during fire drills. They are involved in carrying out checks of fire equipment. There is a system in place to record all visits made to the home for the safety of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Selection and recruitment processes protect young people. Gaps in employment are explored at interview and all the required checks and references are taken up prior to staff starting work. Reference requests ask for verification of why employment ended. New staff go through a comprehensive induction period and work with experienced staff while they get to know the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive high levels of individual support and work is carried out with them in line with the aims of their care plans. Young people are positive about the support they receive and comments included that staff have time for them, they can talk to any staff and that this 'is a great house and I thank all the staff for helping me with my life and for the support they have gave me.' The staff team work in conjunction with a range of agencies and services to meet the needs of the young people and advocate on their behalf where specialist services are not in place. Examples were given where the home provided services directly, in agreement with placing social workers. All the young people benefit from having someone outside of the home who they can contact directly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is actively promoted and young people are supported and encouraged to attend and achieve. Good communication between teachers and the staff ensure young people are well supported. Staff attend education meetings and full information is held on young people's files, which demonstrates their progress. The home has been successful in accessing schools and courses to meet young people's interests and needs, where they have previously been out of education for some time. Achievements are celebrated and young people have received certificates for completing in-house courses with staff, for example, on health and safety and food hygiene. They use the library and have access to the internet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people enjoy a range of leisure activities and are encouraged and supported to engage in individual interests in line with their wishes and skills. Staff arrange trips out and holidays. Young people are encouraged to contribute to the local community and have been involved in events. They are encouraged to find part time work locally.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people's needs are assessed effectively and comprehensively and the home can demonstrate that they are appropriately placed and are making progress. Staff are persistent in requesting full and updated written information from placing social workers to inform the plans. Young people contribute to their placement plans which are written in the first person, in a child-friendly format and say that they can ask for changes to be made. The plans are working documents which provide guidance to staff, they are regularly updated and staff sign to indicate that they have read them. Staff know the young people well and are committed to working in partnership with other agencies, professionals and parents to the benefit of the young people. Reports record progress and statutory reviews, and planning meetings take place. Young people are encouraged to attend and are supported to express their views.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC035049 The home actively promotes young people's contact with their friends and families and staff are involved in facilitating arrangements, in line with care plans. They maintain positive working relationships with families, where possible, to the benefit of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home promotes inclusion of young people in decision making about their future and the running of the home. The majority of records have space for their views and signatures, and they often add their comments. They are consulted in both group meetings and individual sessions and have recently attended staff meetings to discuss their issues. They are empowered to give their views and opinions as part of everyday life and do so readily. The company has recently appointed a participation officer to improve young people's involvement.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive care which helps prepare them for adulthood. They are encouraged to carry out household chores and tasks; shopping; budgeting and cooking; at levels which reflect their age and abilities. Staff support them to develop life skills and achievement is part of the reward system. None of the young people are of an age where formal pathway planning is in place. Young people receive pocket money and exercise choice in the clothes and personal requisites that they buy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The house is suitable for purpose and provides sufficient space and adequate facilities to meet the needs of the young people resident. It is decorated in a homely style; well maintained and young people have their own bedrooms which they are encouraged to personalise. There is sufficient dining space and rooms are available for young people to see visitors in private.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young receive individualised care and are given appropriate choices as part of day-to-day life. Staff inform them of their rights and encourage them to contribute to plans and reports. They are involved in the community and local papers and magazines are available to them. Certificates of achievements, photographs and mementos are kept for them to take with them when they leave.

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Organisation

The home has a Statement of Purpose and young people's guide which meet regulations. Young people are involved in preparing a DVD to ensure the information is available to a wider range of new residents.

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Organisation

There are sufficient staff to meet the needs of the young people. They work co-operatively and are well supported and managed. Staff retention is good and the team work co-operatively to the benefit of the young people, with an evident commitment to helping young people achieve their potential. Any necessary staff cover is provided from the company's bank staff who are known to the young people, agency staff are not used. This ensures that continuity of care for the young people is maintained at all times. There is time for handovers and good communication systems are well established which ensures that staff are informed of any changes which affect the young people. Staff supervisions have improved in frequency; however, the manager has not been supervised for several months. They have training plans and gaps in training have been addressed. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC035049 The functioning of the home is continually monitored and action plans are in place to remedy

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Organisation

any issues which arise. Visits under regulation 33 are taking place each month and comprehensive reports are compiled. The manager signs that she monitors records in the home and carries out regular audits and monthly reports. The home is well organised and individual files are maintained for each of the young people which reflect their progress.

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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

30 September 2010 ensure that all employees have appropriate supervision. (Regulation 27(4)(b))

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC035049

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