Children's Home run by Anderida Adolescent Care Ltd in East Sussex

SC028526 Unique reference number 3 August 2010 Inspection date Liz Driver 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 9 Inspection Report: SC028526

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Brief description of the service

This setting is registered to accommodate two young people aged between 11 and 18 years of age with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

This service is two terrace houses that have been joined together. On the ground floor there are two separate front doors allowing young people who live in the home to have their own entrance. Both of the terrace houses have three bedrooms situated on the first floors, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and dining area. There is a large shared garden at the back of the houses.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by an independent organisation.

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Summary

This was a very short notice key inspection. No actions or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. All key national minimum standards were assessed during this inspection. Two young people were present during the inspection and one actively participated in the inspection process.

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Summary

Young people live in a home that is fully committed to ensuring they receive the best possible care. Robust policies and procedures support the day-to-day practice that is of a high standard. The Registered Manager is clearly effective and fully supported by the staff team. Staff training is extremely organised and very well structured. Staffing is on a two staff to one young person ratio with staff retention high. Health care needs are robustly identified and met. Clear boundaries are in place for behaviour management that young people respect. Each young person's voice is important and numerous avenues exist to enable them to express their opinions. Young people are given high levels of commitment and support to maintain their placements at educational establishments. The setting is well maintained, having recently been redecorated throughout, and respected by the young people. The management of the home continues to

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Summary

be proactive, consistent and positive. The setting is currently piloting a new system of electronic records. 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 no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection in December 2009.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The setting provides an outstanding level of health care provision. Young people can expect to receive a varied and balanced diet. Staff consult with young people about their food preferences and encourage them to take part in shopping and cooking. Individual care plans include dietary needs and show how they will be met. Young people with special dietary needs are suitably catered for. The home's ethical policy covers areas relating to food, waste and environmental effects. both staff and young people embrace the policy. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 Young people are encouraged to be well informed about their health needs and how they can be met. These needs are clearly identified pre-admission and addressed to a high standard while at the setting. If indicated specialist professional input is sought. If appropriate young people can access the company's own clinical psychologist. Staff also gain much support from

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Helping children to be healthy

the clinical psychologist in supporting young people's individual needs. There are comprehensive individual health care plans in place which identify all relevant health needs. The health plans are subject to very regular reviews and are also closely monitored by the Registered Manager and the Regulation 33 visitor. Staff receive training around first aid. Staff approach and respond to health needs in a sensitive manner and fully support young people at appointments and meetings. All records relating to health needs are extremely comprehensive and very well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive medication, both prescribed and non-prescribed, from experienced and competent staff who follow the setting's robust and comprehensive medication policy and procedures. This includes excellent systems for storage, recording and stock control measures. Robust monitoring enables good practice to be maintained and lessens the risk of errors occurring. Consents for the administration of medication and first aid are sought and each young person is risk assessed if self-administration is indicated. Staff receive training in medication administration to enhance their competency. Current practice remains at a high standard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The home has suitable policies and procedures in place relating to confidentiality. All confidential information is kept securely in the office. The home has policies covering privacy and confidentiality that includes young people's records and staff discussing information with other professionals. The home also has a clear policy on young people's rights to access their records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have access to a robust complaints procedure. The right of a young person to make a complaint is made clear to them on admission. The young person's guide has clear guidance about who they can complain to and their contact details. Young people confirm they feel comfortable in voicing their opinions or concerns through key worker sessions or a more formal route, the complaints procedure. Staff receive training in handling complaints and whistle blowing during their induction process. There have been complaints made by neighbours, however the manager communicates closely with them to ensure any issue is immediately addressed. Young people are encouraged to participate in restorative justice processes. Records show the manager handles any concern or complaint professionally, in a timely manner and in accordance with company procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has very clear procedures to responding to child protection and safeguarding issues. All members of staff have attended training in child protection and safeguarding and are aware of what they need to do in the event that they have concerns about a young person's welfare. The staff work very hard to ensure that any child protection issues are resolved and maintain excellent levels of contact with other professionals to ensure that the young people are kept up to date with any developments. Staff provide young people with advice, guidance and support to keep themselves safe outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear policy in place with regards to bullying. The young people are made aware of this when they come to the home and any incidents between young people are discussed 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 with them and at key worker sessions. The staff are very aware of group dynamics in the home and provide very high levels of support and supervision to ensure that the young people are safe. Currently there are no concerns around bullying behaviour at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have written information to follow for each young person if a young person should go missing or leave the home without permission. There is clear guidance as to whether it is an authorised or unauthorised absence and which professionals need notifying. Staff work hard to ensure young people are aware of the risks involved and such risks are included into their individual behaviour management plans. There have been very low levels of young people going missing since the last inspection with evidence of significantly improved outcomes for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has an extremely comprehensive behaviour management plan in place which outlines what support they need and what may trigger distressed and challenging behaviour. They also identify support needed to achieve positive outcomes in changing negative behaviours. Additionally, sanctions are also outlined in the behaviour management plan and these are known by the young people. Sanctions are clearly recorded and appropriate. The manager endorses the record to verify its accuracy and to ensure that the sanctions imposed are appropriate. All the staff have received training in the method of restraint used by the organisation which operates the home. The number of physical interventions is extremely low. Young people do present with challenging behaviour at times, but the staff team work well together and provide a consistent approach to dealing with any difficult behaviour. Staff work hard to build positive relationships and provide a warm and caring environment where young

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

people feel at ease to express themselves with the knowledge that staff are supportive. Staff work extremely hard to gain each young person's trust with excellent outcomes. Young people's behaviour can at times have a negative impact on the neighbours; the manager and staff team work hard to ensure they maintain close contact and that neighbours feel confident in reporting any concerns directly to the home so they may be addressed immediately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has updated risk assessments for all aspects of safety of the premises including fire and activities. There are regular fire drills carried out in the home that staff and young people participate in. Internal checks are carried out on a weekly, monthly or three monthly basis. The home has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation, which owns the home, has a robust recruitment process that ensures all members of staff have the necessary checks carried out on them prior to commencing employment. This includes a Criminal Records Bureau check.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Extremely comprehensive care plans for young people address how support will be provided with much emphasis placed on the individual needs of each young person. Each young person has a key worker who meets with them on a regular basis to discuss their care plans and weekly targets. The monthly reports include comments on areas such as diet, behaviour, activities, education, health, and contacts. The detailed care planning enables the staff to ensure that the young people receive high levels of support and that specialist support from external professionals is available when needed. The thorough planning and sensitive support offered to the young people is of an high standard. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 Education is clearly valued by the home and young people are given high levels of commitment and support to maintain their placements at educational establishments. Attendance levels are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

difficult to measure at present as young people are new to the setting, although appropriate education placements have been gained for September 2010. One placement for four weeks at the end of last term resulted in 100% attendance; the young person having newly arrived at the home. Daily school or college attendance is an established part of daily life at the home that staff promote with commitment. The company has a registered school that young people can attend where tuition is on a one-to-one basis. Young people are assessed on their ability and educational needs to ensure a package is implemented which takes into account each individual's ability.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Each young person's preference relating to leisure and activities are known to staff. The young people have numerous opportunities to participate in a good variety of activities that they enjoy. Feedback from young people and staff was very positive about individual support, education and activities provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people have their needs assessed effectively and comprehensively. Each young person has an extremely detailed and comprehensive care plan in place. These are undertaken collaboratively by the staff and the young people. Care plans are reviewed regularly and are of a high standard. All looked after children's paperwork is in place. Monthly reports by key workers recognise how young people have progressed or in what areas they may need more support. Targets for achievements are identified in care plans. Guidelines and goals for each young person, written under the every child matter outcomes are regularly reviewed and include areas such as addressing negative behaviour, contact with family and friends and maintaining good relationships with staff. All contact details are clearly recorded with restrictions also noted. Staff are fully supportive of facilitating contact arrangements with, if necessary, supervisory

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a clear written procedure in place which sets out a structure for introductions to the home for new admissions. The setting works hard to ensure moving in and leaving the home is a smooth transition. The referral process is robust and comprehensive and has, since the last inspection, been tightened up to ensure comprehensive information is received from local authorities. The process is clearly explained in the Statement of Purpose. Visits take place prior to young people moving in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have numerous opportunities to discuss the running of the home and how they are being cared for. It is clear that young people's views and opinions are valued. Key worker sessions are held regularly and provide the opportunity for young people to express their views and wishes. The manager is highly visible and approachable. The young people are confident in expressing their views and this is encouraged by the staff team. Advocates are pro-actively sought for young people if appropriate. Relationships between staff and young people are warm and respectful. Young people are happy at the home and complimentary about the staff.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 The company has structured procedures for leaving care that commences at an appropriate time to ensure a smooth transition into semi- or independent living. Currently no young people have formal leaving care plans due to their age.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is very comfortably furnished and well maintained, having been subject to complete redecoration since the last inspection. The young people are able to choose the décor and can personalise their bedrooms with pictures and posters. The quality of furnishings and fittings is good. Feedback from young people is positive about the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. All staff complete a National Vocational Qualification at level 2 in equality and diversity that enables them to promote excellent practices. Current policies and procedures also reflect equality and diversity across the company, ensuring non-discriminatory practices. Equality and diversity is also a focus of the company's annual general meeting held yearly. Young people benefit from living in a setting that promotes equality for all and promotion of non-discriminatory lifestyles.

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Organisation

The home's Statement of Purpose was reviewed in June 2010. It was updated to reflect the internal decoration that has taken place since the last inspection. The young people have a handbook which they are given on arrival at the home. It makes clear the rights and responsibilities they have and what they can expect from the home. It includes useful telephone numbers of external agencies to whom young people can approach for advice or to whom they can complain.

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Organisation

Staffing is organised and well structured with good numbers, experience and skill mix. Young people are cared for by staff on a ratio of two staff for each young person. Staff are competent and happy to work for the company and staff turn over is very low. All members of staff receive regular training and new members of staff have a thorough induction process which increases their competences in line with the requirements of the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 Caring for Children and Young People. There is a detailed and clear training schedule for each year with evidence of substantial financial investment. Training includes all mandatory areas plus more specialist areas. The impressive training delivered to staff enables the young people to be cared for by staff who are able to meet their needs to a high standard. The training on equality and diversity, plus the regularity of refresher courses staff undertake evidences

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Organisation

the company's commitment to ensuring high standards are maintained. Staff confirm they are constantly being sent on new and improved training courses with excellent managerial support. Staff recruitment procedures enable young people to voice their views about prospective new staff. The company has achieved a bronze status for Investors in People.

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Organisation

There is very strong management of the home. The Registered Manager closely monitories all aspects of the home and is fully up to date with all areas. Feedback from young people and staff regarding the manager; her style and abilities is excellent. The Registered Manager is currently completing a Masters degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

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Organisation

There is clear evidence of very close monitoring of the home and its practices. Regulation 33 visits are carried out monthly with reports submitted, without fail, to Ofsted. The reports are thorough and include comments on how the home is functioning and what needs to be improved. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526 The manager maintains a written record of how she has responded to any recommendations made as a result of these visits.

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Organisation

Young people's care plans are individual and reflect progress, needs and development. They are regularly reviewed, updated and of a high standard.

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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. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC028526

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