Children's Home run by Adeza Care Homes Limited in Waltham Forest

SC032468 Unique reference number 4 August 2010 Inspection date Sharon Lewis Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

16 February 2010 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: SC032468

p.3

Brief description of the service

The organisation owns two children's homes within the locality. This home caters for an older age range with an emphasis on semi-independent living. The home is registered to provide support and accommodation to four children of either gender. These young people may have emotional, behavioural or learning disability needs or a mild mental disorder.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is located in a residential area close to local shops and amenities. The property blends into the neighbourhood and is not identifiable as a children's home. Young people have their own lockable room with a fridge. Communal facilities include a conservatory lounge area and a garden.

p.4

Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection three young men were living at the home. Two young men were at home during the inspection. Both expressed their satisfaction with the care provided.

p.4

Summary

At this unannounced full inspection all key standards were inspected. Young people receive an outstanding service. Young people thrive within an environment which enhances all areas of their lives. Young people benefit from the home's working model which concentrates on their individual strengths. Young people have the opportunity to participate in training courses with staff and obtain qualifications. All young people are in school or applying for further education. Young people have made dramatic progress and have realistic career ambitions. Young people receive excellent support to lead a semi-independent lifestyle. Young people receive care from a stable, experienced and professional staff team. The home is a centre of learning. There is an extremely strong commitment to training staff and social work students. There are no actions or recommendations arising from this inspection. The overall quality rating is outstanding.

p.4

Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were no actions. The home has a good history of complying with regulations. A recommendation was made to further improve practice. This related to updating the fire risk assessment. This document had been reviewed. Young people benefit from more robust fire safety arrangements.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent support regarding their health. Young people receive nutrition training and have the opportunity to obtain a food hygiene certificate. The home empowers young people to take responsibility for their diet. Each young person receives a generous food budget. This enables them to plan their own menus, shop and prepare their meals. Young people's menus are adventurous and there is an appreciation of international cuisines. Menus integrate culturally diverse dishes and follow respective religious guidelines, an example being the availability of halal foods. Young people demonstrate great improvements in their culinary skills. Young people enjoy learning new dishes with staff guidance. Young people can also refer to a selection of cookery books. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC032468 Health arrangements focus on meeting the holistic needs of young people. Staff actively

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

encourage young people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Young people routinely register with a local doctor and attend dental and optician appointments. Staff ensure young people receive advice and have relevant information relating to health and social issues. One of the home's strengths is their ability to meet the emotional needs of young people. The home follow their own specific mental health practice guidance. This specially designed programme concentrates on effective intervention and positive outcomes for young people.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

The home has a highly developed and effective medication policy and procedure. The home has a sustained record of full compliance with the administration, safekeeping and disposal of medication. The staff team includes a qualified nurse who takes the lead responsibility on health issues. This includes organising workshops for young people and staff. Young people are able to self-administer their medication subject to appropriate risk assessments. A purpose built medication cabinet is available to securely store items.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The home has excellent arrangements which promote the safety and welfare of young people. Staff fully implement the home's core values. These include respect, trust, openness and honesty. There is a high regard for young people's privacy. Young people have keys to their rooms and their own food cupboards. Staff appropriately maintain confidentiality and securely store personal information.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people report that they feel safe. They describe the home as 'mellow, calm and quiet'. The home has effective policies to safeguard young people. These include child protection, complaints, bullying and counter-bullying procedures. Young people benefit from the home's strong links with Local Safeguarding Children Board. These enables staff to access regular training and updates on good practice. Young people state that they are very satisfied with their care and they have 'no complaints'. Young people enjoy living at the home. They have a mutually respectful relationship with each other. There are no issues with bullying or being absent without authority.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home excels in their ability to stabilise young people and instigate positive change. Staff use reflective practice and behaviour management research to inform their ways of working. Young people respond well to the firm, but fair boundaries. The home provides a nurturing environment, where staff focus on young people's strengths. There is active encouragement of acceptable behaviour. The home encourages self responsibility through restitution. Young people are fully aware of the consequences of their actions. The use of sanctions and restraints are minimal. Young people have the opportunity to negotiate their sanctions. This practice empowers young people and assist them in their development of socially acceptable behaviour.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a physically safe and secure environment. There are current certificates which verify the safety of the gas and electricity supplies and equipment. Staff also undertake regular checks of these. Risk assessments additionally highlight any hazards relating to young people or the building. The home recognises the importance of educating young people on health and safety matters, an example being young people successfully completing a fire awareness and safety course. This is a useful qualification which they can use in adult life. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC032468 Young people benefit from a very stable staff team. The organisation has a recruitment procedure, however, there has been no need to employ new staff. The majority of staff having been with the organisation for approximately ten years. Staff appropriately monitor visitors and maintain a visitors book.

p.5

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people thrive within an environment which provides excellent individualised support. Young people report that 'everything is good'. The home's strength based model of working focuses on young people's positive qualities and interests. All young people are successfully turning their lives around. Young people engage well with their key workers. Key work meetings assist with goal setting and character building. All young people demonstrate significant progress in all areas of their lives. Particularly in relation to their ambitions, confidence and maturity. Staff strongly advocate for their needs. Young people benefit from the home's commitment to enhancing their lives. This includes enjoying a range of external activities and having an annual holiday.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home provides a learning environment for young people. Young people benefit from a staff team which includes qualified teachers. This enables young people to have individual tuition and assistance with homework. Staff provide practical and emotional support to young people who have difficulties with school attendance. This includes escorting them to school. Staff have very well established links with schools and colleges. Schools provide positive feedback regarding the home's intervention. An example is an improvement in young people's attendance, punctuality and predicated grades. Staff place great value on education and the nurturing of individual skills and talents. Young people have access to their own computer and books. Staff also assist with joining the library. All young people are attending school or applying for further educational courses. Staff encourage young people to have high aspirations. It is a great

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

achievement that all young people have realistic career plans.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people have clear, comprehensive placement plans which cover the Every Child Matters outcome areas and complement the placing authority care plan. Plans fully address young people's cultural, emotional, health, behavioural, social, educational, religious and daily living needs. Young people take an active role in care planning. This includes them taking responsibility for meeting specific objectives. There is a well-established and thorough system for reviewing the placement plans. The home uses a cycle of assessing, planning and evaluating the changing needs of young people. Staff actively encourage young people to participate in their reviews. Staff assist young people to express their views on the pre-review documentation. They also work in an open and transparent manner, sharing the reports they produce.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements focus on promoting the best interests of young people. Staff follow guidance from placing authorities the details of which are within the placement plan. Staff appropriately encourage young people to keep in contact with their family and other important people in their lives. Staff can assist with supervised contact. Relatives and friends can visit the home. Young people are able to visit them and keep in touch by phone and email. They have their own payphone on the first floor. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC032468 Young people move into and leave the home in a sensitive manner. The home is able to provide both planned and emergency placements. There is a well-structured admission procedure. The management carefully consider new referrals. There is a wish to protect young people from negative influences, the priority being to ensure new referrals do not detrimentally effect the progress of current young people. Leaving procedures reflect the home's aim, which is to

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

prepare young people for independent life. Young people appreciate the care they receive and many maintain contact after they have moved on.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation is an integral part of the home's working practices. The home promotes young people's rights, their self-fulfilment and individual choice. Staff consistently listen to young people and discuss the plans for their care with them. Regular house meetings enable staff to share how the home is run and for young people to influence decision making. Young people contribute towards planning activities and the annual holiday. These meetings also provide an opportunity for staff to educate young people on a range of issues. Topics include pursuing a healthy lifestyle, personal safety and bullying.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people lead a semi-independent lifestyle within a safe and supportive environment. Young people benefit from a specially designed independence programme, 'Ready, Steady, Go'. Staff adapt this programme to ensure it meets young people's individual needs. Training covers time management, financial matters, welfare benefits, relationships, developing community support networks, sexuality, self esteem and practical skills. Young people receive a weekly allowance. This helps young people with their budgeting skills. It also helps them experience life on a limited income. Young people enjoy the self responsibility of managing their lives. This includes cooking for themselves and undertaking daily living tasks.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a large semi-detached property. The home blends into the neighbourhood and from the outside presents as a large, family house. Transport links, shops and amenities are within walking distance. The building promotes a semi-independent environment. Young people have their own bed-sit style room, which they can personalise. There are three rooms on the first floor and one on the ground floor. Each room has a single bed, sufficient storage, a fridge, a desk, a chair and a table lamp. Young people also have their own lockable food cupboards in the kitchen.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people can choose to spend time on their own or with each other. They can interact together in the kitchen which also has a dining area. The computer and washing machine are also located in the kitchen. A small lounge area is available in the conservatory. Young people are able to enjoy the large garden. This has a patio area, a lawn and well maintained shrubs. The bathroom has shower facilities and is located on the first floor. An additional toilet is also on the ground floor. The home is both clean and comfortable. The property, however, is fairly old. Therefore, the owners are committed to the regular redecoration and gradual modernisation of the building.

p.7

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Young people state they are 'very happy'. They greatly appreciate the care and describe staff as 'good' and 'easygoing'. Young people benefit from living in a well-established home, having 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC032468 been in operation for approximately 13 years. There is a commitment to delivering high quality care. Up-to-date information is readily available for young people, relatives and involved professionals. Young people have their own handbook. Interested parties can also access the home's website and Statement of Purpose. All documentation meets regulatory requirements.

p.7

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. The home fully implements their care principles of nurturing the spirit and celebrating the individuality of young people. The home's documentation and ways of working incorporate anti-discriminatory practice. Staff empower young people, enabling them to take control of their lives. Young people thrive within an environment which accepts them and focuses on their strengths. Staff receive specific equality and diversity training. Safeguarding training also addresses this area. Young people receive support regarding their spiritual needs, skin and hair care. Staff help young people develop a positive self-identity. Staff challenge prejudicial thinking and teach young people to respect and appreciate themselves and others. Care planning effectively addresses young people's disability, sexuality, racial, cultural and religious needs.

p.8

Organisation

Young people benefit from a very competent and experienced staff team. The staff team consists of qualified social workers, teachers, a nurse and other graduates. The organisation is a learning centre and offers regular placements to social work students. This arrangement contributes to the home being up to date on social work theories and developments within social care. Staff arrangements effectively meet the needs of the young people. Staffing is flexible to support young people with their activities, visits and appointments.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation demonstrates a strong commitment to staff training. The organisation has an Investor in People award and a certificate from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Young people benefit from excellent management arrangements. The Registered Manager, Responsible Individual and two team members all hold the relevant management qualifications. Other staff have the required national vocational qualification. The staff training programme equips staff with the skills needed for their role. The annual programme includes safeguarding, disciplinary measures, health and safety, mental health, legislation, risk assessment, complaints and team building.

p.8

Organisation

Young people receive support from a home which consistently reflects on its practice. Every year staff focus on their overall achievements at the annual away day. This contributes towards the service development plan. The owners are the respective Registered Manager and Responsible Individual. This couple are former foster carers. They also hold a wealth of experience between them. There are very effective systems for running the home. The home monitors records in accordance with regulations. Staff appropriately maintain young people's files. The good organisation of files makes it easy to track young people's progress and find pertinent information.

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

Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC032468

p.9