Children's Home run by Destiny House in Harrow

SC038906 Unique reference number 21 July 2010 Inspection date Karen Malcolm Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

20 October 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 9 Inspection Report: SC038906

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home is privately run. The Registered Manager is also the named Registered Provider. The home provides care and support for up to eight children or young people of either sex aged from 13 to 17 years. The home is situated on a busy main road close to local shops and transport. The house is an extended semi-detached building on two floors. There is one double room and two single rooms on the ground floor. In addition to this there is a double and three single rooms on the first floor. There are shower rooms on each floor. The laundry is situated on the ground floor. There is a large kitchen and spacious dining/lounge area. There is off street parking to the front of the house for several cars. There is a large, rear garden with a small indoor swimming pool but this is not in use.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home has security surveillance equipment positioned outside and within some of the communal areas of the home.

p.4

Summary

This unannounced key inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. All the key standards were also inspected.

p.4

Summary

The findings from the inspection are that the registered person is to ensure all young people placed have the correct information on file and to ensure that their overall care and support needs and areas of risk are being appropriately assessed and met by the home. The registered person should also ensure that the quality assurance monitoring is regularly completed and that any gaps in recruitment, supervision, appraisals and induction of new staff are consistently reviewed and monitored. The other outcome areas were deemed satisfactory at this inspection. Generally the home functions well and young people seem happy with the service being provided.

p.4

Summary

At the time of the inspection there were no young people available to share their views and opinions about the services and care being provided to them. The overall quality rating is satisfactory. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three actions were made and no recommendations. The registered person was asked to ensure that the monitoring of records under Schedule 6 is undertaken regularly, that the staffing rotas clearly indicate when less staff are needed and why, and that staff recruitment procedures are followed accordingly to the home's policy.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

All the above actions made at the last inspection have not been fully met, therefore these areas of improvement have been re-worded and restated in this report.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The kitchen area is deemed the focal point of the home. The home provides young people with a four week rolling menu plan which can be changed. Young people have varied and balanced 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906 meals that fully meet their dietary needs. Young people eat meals that include vegetables and foods from different cultures. Young people have the opportunity to have healthy meals, to help plan menus, to go shopping for food and to prepare meals. Young people's food choices and preferences are always taken into account.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Physical and emotional health is promoted. All young people are registered with a local GP. When a young person makes a decision not to register with the local GP or dentist or optician the home ensures that other options are available to them; therefore their overall healthcare needs are supported appropriately while living at the home. However, information relating to some young people's healthcare was not available, as placement plans were not fully completed. Staff often encourage young people to take an interest in looking after their health and to lead healthy lives. Staff spoken to state that they actively discourage young people from smoking and drinking alcohol and drugs.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Medication is safely stored in the home and there is clear guidance for staff, concerning the administration of homely remedies. A recording sheet for the administration of medication is in place. A first aid box is accessible to young people and staff, and most staff are said to have up-to-date first aid and medication training.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home has an electronic surveillance system in place. There are eight cameras in total around the exterior parameters of the building as well as the communal areas. The home's surveillance policy indicates that the primary reason for surveillance monitoring is to reduce the criminal behaviour of young people. All new admissions have signed an agreement relating to surveillance equipment and they were happy knowing the devices were in place. Social workers are also aware of the surveillance equipment prior to placing a young person in the home. Risk assessments make mention to surveillance enhancing both the safety and security of young people and the staff. Young people all have single occupancy bedrooms which have appropriate access. The living arrangements provide space where they can relax and easily find privacy away from others if they wish. Staff are sensitive to gender issues especially when dealing with young

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

people of the opposite sex. Staff know how to deal with and share information which they are given in confidence for child protection purposes. All sensitive and personal data held is fully protected, as the manager is registered with the data protection body.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are confident that they can voice their opinions and that any concerns expressed will be dealt with. Written information about the home's complaints procedure is included in the young person's handbook and young people know how to complain. One formal complaint had been received by Ofsted; this has been investigated. No other complaints were recorded on the home's file.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safeguarded in the home and well supported by staff keeping themselves safe outside the home. Any child protection concerns are promptly dealt with. Young people are safeguarded and systems, such as daily records about the movements and welfare of young people and communication between staff are in place. Staff are familiar with the home's own safeguarding procedures which relate to the local procedures. Most staff have received some basic child protection training which forms part of the home's core staff training programme. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906 Young people have no concerns about bullying and there is clear evidence that staff are quick to intervene should a situation arise. The working practices adopted by the home go some way to reducing opportunities for bullying to occur.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who do not return home on time are safeguarded by staff endeavouring to make contact with them and trying to establish their whereabouts. There is clear guidance in place to support staff on how to manage a situation where a young person is a frequent absconder. Young people are reported missing to the police and placing authorities and receive a positive reception when they do return home. The required records are maintained.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Baths, showers and toilets are of a number and standard to meet the needs of the young people. All have appropriate locks for the privacy and safety of each young person placed.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Sanctions are imposed if behaviour is deemed unacceptable. However, all sanctions recorded have monetary actions imposed. Young people’s pocket money is withheld and placed into a savings accounts and given back when the young people leave the home. Staff feel such measures given are fair and effective as other measures have been imposed and have been deem unsuccessful. No records of restraint were recorded.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

General health and safety issues are addressed with a range of risk assessments in place including specific individual risk assessments. They identify hazards in and around the home; however, external risks such as risks young people face when they are in the community have not been fully explored or assessed to ensure proper safeguards are in place. Appropriate service contracts for fire, gas and electrical equipment are completed.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are not fully protected by the home's recruitment procedures. Information such as proof of identity including a recent photograph and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosures were not present on some staff files. The Registered Manager does not undertake the process of checking CRB disclosures, as this is completed by an external body. Therefore, the home's recruitment monitoring has been inconsistently managed and safeguarding measures for the protection young people may be potentially unsafe.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The home has clear policies and guidance in place to help ensure young people are supported at every stage of their care. Young people are allocated a key worker from day one. Young people have regular discussions with their key workers about their progress and the support they need to continue to achieve this. However, formally agreed placement and care plans are not currently in place for each young person, so individual continuity of care can not be appropriately achieved.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Specific educational arrangements are sought for those young people whose attendance to school is haphazard. Where appropriate young people may also attend local schools if this will best meet their individual needs. All bedrooms are equipped to allow for private study.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906 Care for young people is based on the placement plans provided by the young person’s placing authority. However, when there is a delay in receiving this information, then the young person’s care and support needs can not be fully met. This means that staff may not have appropriate written guidance to enable them to meet young people’s needs appropriately. The Registered Manager is aware, and has contacted the placing authority on several occasions, which has been unsuccessful. However, there is some evidence of contact made with the social worker but the information sent was insufficient and not obvious as to whom the correspondence was for. Key workers prepare reports for the review meetings held regularly for each young person to discuss progress with their care plan, when in place. Risk assessments are undertaken, but only the areas of risk known to the home are addressed and in some cases not all areas are

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain contact with their families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives. However, constructive contact arrangements for some young people were not discussed at the time of their admission and subsequently no details are on file. Therefore, any restrictions on contact for the protection of the young person may not be appropriately managed or monitored by the home.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Many of the placements made are emergency admissions, and there is clear guidance as to how these are to be managed. Wherever possible most placements are planned.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

There is clear system in place as to how the views of young people, parents and placing authorities are taken into account in the development of any necessary change in the operation of the home. The home relies on some of the feedback from young people’s review.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Expectations of behaviour for both staff and young people are clearly understood and negotiated by those living and working at the home, including exercising appropriate control over children in the interests of their own welfare and the protection of others.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Young people are encouraged to achieve their full potential and develop skills for adulthood. However at present due to lack of information for individuals, there are no clear plans to enable young people who reach this stage in their life to be supported appropriately.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Pocket money is issued according to the young person's understanding, age and ability. Clear accounts are kept. Young people are very aware of their rights. Young people are encouraged to manage their own finances through help with budgeting and are given as much freedom as possible in making decisions about spending their own pocket money. Cultural, racial, ethnic or religious expectations regarding the choice of clothes or personal requisites are supported and promoted.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is a large, adequately furnished, comfortable house which is more than fit for its purpose for support of up to eight young people.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906 There has been a been a change in the care and support provided by the home. The number of young people currently placed at present under the age of 17 is the same number of young people who are over the age of 17. No notification of this change has been received by Ofsted. The home's Statement of Purpose includes all the required information for prospective young people and their representative to view. However, the information pertaining to the registered person's address and experience was not presented in the document nor how the home supports young people who are over the age of 17. Young people are given a copy of the children’s guide when they move into the home. The commitment to promoting equality and diversity is explicit in information given.

p.7

Organisation

There are support systems in place for staff such as supervisions, team meetings and appraisals. However, formal appraisals and supervision have not been consistently undertaken by senior staff, to ensure all individual's overall development needs are regularly reviewed. Therefore, staff responses to and methods of working with, young people may not be consistently undertaken or managed appropriately. This potentially places young people at risk. There are sufficient permanent staff and staffing levels are satisfactory. However, at times staffing levels are risk assessed to meet the needs of the young people in the home, especially at weekends when the number of young people placed may be reduced. It is not clear from the rotas or daily logs as to which days this occurs. Staff benefit from training provided by local authority. However, the absence of up-to-date training records means that training undertaken by staff

p.8

Organisation

cannot be adequately monitored and gaps easily identified. Two staff have recently passed their six months probation period. However, the forms on file were found to be either incomplete, and in one case not completed at all.

p.8

Organisation

The management tasks are the sole responsibility of the Registered Manager/Provider, however, these have been insufficiently monitored or reviewed in areas such as recruitment, placement plans, staffing rotas, staff induction, supervision and appraisals. This has been an on-going issue for the manager to maintain this. The manager acknowledges this and has started putting plans in place to improve this situation.

p.8

Organisation

Case files are maintained for young people and these are stored safely. However, not all have the necessary information needed to support a young person placed in the home.

p.8

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. Evidence supports an inconsistent commitment to improving equality and diversity in some practices. The outcomes for individual young people are acceptable and demonstrate care that generally meets individual needs, but there is no clear evidence of how this is monitored and reviewed, to ensure that young people's overall cultural and diversity needs are being met fully.

p.8

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.8

Due date Action Standard

8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906 31 August 2010 ensure all staff have some form of identity photograph available on file (Schedule 2) 31 August 2010 ensure that risk assessments reflect accurately all the areas of risk pertaining to each young person's care and support needs (Regulation 23) 31 August 2010 ensure when a young person is placed a placement plan is in place and is consistent with any plan for the care of the child prepared by the placing authority such as contact arrangements, healthcare, personal education plans and pathway information (Regulation 12) 31 August 2010 ensure all contact information is recorded accurately (Regulation 15) 19 September 2010 ensure that the Statement of Purpose reflects the manager’s name, address and qualification as required under the Regulation and any changes to the service being provided (Regulation 4) 31 August 2010 submit a clear and concise action plan to Ofsted with regards

p.8

Due date Action Standard

to supporting a young person who is over the age of 17 years (Regulation 25) 31 August 2010 ensure that staff supervision and appraisals are undertaken regularly (Regulation 27) 31 August 2010 ensure that staff induction is completed (27 Regulation) 31 31 August 2010 establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in schedule 6 which includes staffing rotas, daily logs, recruitment, placement plans (Regulation 34) 31 August 2010 ensure appropriate cover is in place at all times and this must be accurately reflected on the rota.(Regulation 29 & 34(1) Schedule 6)

p.9

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC038906

p.9