Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

SC403850 Unique reference number 27 July 2010 Inspection date Sharon Lewis Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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Date of last inspection

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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Date of last inspection

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: SC403850

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Brief description of the service

Rainbow Lodge provides a respite service for up to six young people living with a disability. The premises is a purpose-built bungalow. The service has recently transferred the management arrangements from the West Kent Primary Care Trust to Kent County Council. Young people benefit from the provision of a large staff team, which includes three nurses. Young people have their own bedrooms and specialist equipment is available to support them in their daily routines. Young people have access to a range of facilities. This includes a soft play area and a sensory room. To the rear of the building is a large back garden with play equipment, a karting track and a vegetable patch.

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Summary

This announced inspection was the home's first inspection since registration in February 2010. All the national minimum standards were examined. Young people receive a satisfactory service with good features. Young people enjoy their breaks in a refurbished environment, which is fully adapted for their disabilities. There are good arrangements relating to health care, individualised support and general care practices. The home is making a good transition from moving from a medical to social care model of working. This provides a good foundation for building a child-focused service.

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Summary

The main area for development relates to the home operating outside of their Statement of Purpose. Other shortfalls relate primarily to recording issues. These refer to the restraint record, staff and young people's files. A range of recommendations are made to further improve practice. These include staff supervision, job descriptions, recording young people's views, promoting independence and socially acceptable behaviour. 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

Not applicable. This is the home's first inspection, since registration in February 2010.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The home provides effective health outcomes for young people. Young people are able to enjoy a wide range of foods from their own and other cultures. The home benefits from a cook who ensures meals meet nutritional and dietary requirements. Menus take account of young people's preferences. Young people describe the food as 'nice' and enjoy choosing what they would like to eat. Young people are able to practice their independent living skills. This includes making their breakfast, laying and clearing the dining table. Young people enjoy eating their meals in a relaxed social setting. The home has a dining area, which enables young people and staff to eat together. Young people receive a good education regarding healthy meal choices. Their diet includes fresh fruit and vegetables. Young people additionally assist with planting vegetables in a designated area in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people benefit from the home's ability to manage a wide range of health needs. These include the effective management of diabetes and epilepsy. The staff team includes nurses 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850 with learning disability, paediatric and general backgrounds. Staff liaise with health professionals to ensure young people receive the necessary support. The home benefits from a purpose-built secure medication room. Staff have a good system for maintaining medication. Young people state they receive the necessary support when they are ill or upset.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home adequately promotes the safety and welfare of young people. Young people report that they feel safe. The philosophy of care stresses the importance of privacy and dignity. Bathrooms are lockable. Staff understand the need to maintain confidentiality. Young people and their families have information which outlines how to make a complaint. The complaint management system appropriately addresses any issues. Staff are aware of the need to safeguard young people. Staff undertake relevant training and sensitively manage concerns. The use of body maps enables staff to monitor any bruising or marks. Staff additionally monitor young people's moods and their emotional well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people enjoy their breaks at the home. It enables them to freely engage in a range of activities and build friendships with each other. Young people are not absent without authority and there are no issues with bullying. Young people may present with challenging behavioural needs. Staff keep a record of incidents and there has been no notifiable events. Records, however, do not indicate whether staff encourage reparation and restitution. This would further help young people with developing socially acceptable behaviour. Staff rarely use physical intervention techniques. There has been one restraint. There, however, was no record of the duration of this restraint to enable the evaluation of the use of this disciplinary measure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides young people with a physically safe and secure environment. The front door has controlled access. The home appropriately maintain a visitors' book. Throughout the home are a series of keypads, which restricts unauthorised access to young people. A security company also patrol the external premises. Staff undertake regular health and safety checks. Certificates verify the safety of electrical and fire equipment. In addition to the electricity and gas supplies. The organisation aim to carefully recruit staff. The human resources department leads on this area of work. The only shortfall relates to a staff file only having one reference. This does not meet regulatory requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people state they 'enjoy coming here'. Young people receive individualised support which meets their needs. Short breaks provide an opportunity for young people to extend their social network and nurture friendships with others. Young people confirm that staff listen to them and help them with decision making. Young people feel their care arrangements are 'good'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are able to engage in a wide range of activities. Within the home are games consoles, toys, board games and art and craft equipment. A large projector screen is available for young people to watch films, a range of compact discs and DVD's are also available for their use. Young people would like the home to purchase more female-orientated games for consoles. Young people benefit from the home having their own minibus. This enables young people to undertake a variety of community-based activities and visit places of interest. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850 The home provides a learning environment for young people. A computer and a broad selection of books are available for young people. The home has a good relationship with schools. Young people receive good continuity of care due to the establishments sharing information with each other, an example being school support of care plans. Staff attend educational reviews. This

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

practice provides a valuable insight into the needs of young people. Knowledge gained from these meetings enhances care practices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from the home's ongoing commitment to effective care planning. The new care planning framework focuses on the Every Child Matters outcome areas. Plans have an overall aim and clearly identify needs and objectives. Staff routinely seek the views of parents when completing care plans. There is an acknowledgment of the need to empower young people by further involving them in this process. Staff regularly discuss and review young people's needs. Young people are able to participate in their reviews. Staff appropriately support them during these meetings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no issues relating to contact arrangements as this is a short break service. Young people are usually only away from their families for several days. They are able to keep in contact by phone or visits. Young people have their own payphone in one of the lounge areas. This provides an opportunity for them to make and receive calls. The Registered Manager is currently drafting a policy to ensure privacy is appropriately maintained. The home has a good admission and discharge procedure. This involves staff discussing young people's needs with families and obtaining an update on changes. The home has an index system which provides a register of all placements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people receive encouragement and support to make their own decisions. Throughout their day. staff offer young people numerous choices. Examples are young people choose their room, meals, clothes and activities. Staff, however, do not consistently record this information. Staff enable young people to influence the decisions effecting the running of the home, an example being the recent refurbishment. The home recognises the importance of holding regular group meetings with young people. This an area which they hope to further develop. The home's philosophy of care includes the promotion of young people's rights, fulfilment and independence. These values embrace the home's changing from a medical to a social model of working. This enables young people to enjoy sound relationships with staff based on honesty and mutual respect.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are able to practise their independent living skills within the home. Young people are able to make their bed and assist during mealtimes. The home recognises the importance of supporting young people as they move into adulthood. Care plans have a section which concentrates solely on independent living. Staff, however, do not consistently record the goals and progress young people are making in this area of their development. Young people express their individual style by choosing their clothing. On admission to the home staff and young people share the responsibility of compiling a list of their personal items. A safe is available for valuable items or their pocket money. Staff maintain an accurate record of young people's 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850 finances. Young people receive support to spend their monies on items or activities which enhance their lives.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy their breaks in a newly-refurbished home. The location is accessible to transport links. Education, health, leisure facilities and shops are also nearby. The home is pleasant, spacious and well designed. The home provides young people with a wide range of suitable aids, adaptations, furniture and equipment, which takes account of their disability. A good example of this are the ceiling hoists throughout the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people have their own single bedroom. They are able to bring in personal items to make them feel more at home. Young people have access to a computer room, games room, soft play room, a relaxation pod, television lounge and a sensory room. To the rear of the garden is a very large garden, which is similar to their own private park. The garden has a seating area, basketball net, sandpit, an adventure play area, a karting track and an extensive lawn. Young people greatly appreciate the good selection of facilities. The only issue for them are the lukewarm showers. The organisation is currently investigating this issue.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation are currently updating their Statement of Purpose and young people's handbook. The review of this documentation will address the refurbishment and management changes. The home has a clear vision for the future. They aim to provide a relevant resource for young people and their families. The Statement of Purpose identifies the home as a short break service. They are also able to provide unplanned placements. There is a current issue where the home is providing long-term care. This stay is indefinite and there is no proposed deadline to terminate this placement. The home is breaching regulations by operating outside of their Statement of Purpose. This situation is unable to continue indefinitely. The Statement of Purpose does not detail the maximum duration of unplanned placements. The proposal of six weeks sufficiently promotes the best interests of young people.

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Organisation

Young people receive care from staff who receive adequate support. The home hold regular team meetings. These meetings enable staff to discuss and reflect on good practice. The home aims to provide monthly individual supervision to staff. All staff, however, do not benefit from regular recorded supervision. Issues are frequently dealt with during unplanned informal supervision. Supervision records, also do not consistently detail the length of time taken for meetings. Staff have job descriptions; however these do not reflect the home's current Statement of Purpose or their subsequent roles and responsibilities. Staff report that they feel valued and they have access to sources of advice and support.

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Organisation

Staffing is sufficient to meet the needs of young people. Young receive care from a competent staff group. Staff receive ongoing training to effectively equip them for their work. This includes scheduled training weeks and National Vocational Qualification training. Performance appraisal is in progress. This process will enable the production of individual staff development plans. The home has a dynamic Registered Manger who exercises effective leadership. This individual has a wealth of experience within the children with disabilities field. They possess the passion, skills, qualities and qualifications necessary for their role.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young people enjoy their breaks in a fully adapted environment. Adaptations, specific equipment and furniture enhance young people's 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850 quality of life. Young people are able to freely access all parts of the building and engage in activities. Young people enjoy eating an international menu. Staff continually reflect on equality and diversity issues. It is a compulsory topic during team and individual supervision meetings. Staff additionally undertake diversity training. Care plans outline individual needs. These include their communication, cultural, religious needs and their sexuality. Staff are able to communicate with young people using a range of methods.

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Organisation

Young people benefit from a satisfactory quality assurance system. An experienced independent person currently undertakes the monthly monitoring visits. The reports provide a good overview of the strengths and areas for development within the home. The Registered Manager also monitors records which additionally helps in the continuous improvement of the service. Young people's files contain most of the required regulatory information. The only shortfall relates to the home not receiving a copy of the young person's statement of special educational needs. This is an ongoing departmental problem. The receipt of this document would contribute to providing better outcomes for young people.

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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

1 September 2010 maintain a record of the duration of any restraints (Regulation 17 (4) (d)) 1 September 2010 ensure the home has proof of obtaining two written references prior to a staff member starting work (Regulation 26) 1 October 2010 ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its Statement of Purpose. This relates specifically to the home not providing indefinite longer-term placements. 1 November 2010 obtain the information specified in Schedule 3 in respect of each child, in particular a copy of their statement of special educational needs. (Regulation 28 (1))

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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): • encourage reparation and restitution within the home's disciplinary measures (NMS 22.3) • consider young women's requests for the provision of suitable games for consoles (NMS 15.7) • seeks the views of individual young people on the content and implementation of their placement plan (NMS 2.5) 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850 • ascertain on a regular basis the opinions and views of young people on all matters affecting them (NMS 8.4) • produce a comprehensive plan for young people which promotes their independence (NMS 6.1) • maintain a consistent record of the length of each supervision meeting held for each member of staff (NMS 28.2) • provide all staff working in the home with one to one supervision each month (NMS 28.2) • provide staff with written job descriptions and person specifications related to the home’s

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Recommendations

current Statement of Purpose. These should state clearly their responsibilities, the duties currently expected of them and their line of accountability. (NMS 28.6) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC403850

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