Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

SC059221 Unique reference number 24 August 2010 Inspection date Maire Atherton Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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27 January 2010 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 7 Inspection Report: SC059221

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Brief description of the service

The home is a four bedroom detached property situated in a quiet location. Public transport is accessible. The home is well situated for all amenities as well as local schools.

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Brief description of the service

The home's Statement of Purpose notes that, 'The home provides care and accommodation for three young people aged 12 years to 16 years for either short or long-term placements. The aim is to provide a safe, secure environment where young people can feel safe and secure whilst respecting each other and those working with them.'

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Brief description of the service

The home has a comprehensive Statement of Purpose whilst a well presented young person's guide is given to each young person on admission to the home.

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Brief description of the service

There were no young people in residence at the time of the inspection; young people expressed their opinions through a survey.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection at which all the key standards were inspected.

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Summary

Young people benefit from the skills and commitment of a stable, competent and well led staff team. Individual placements and good relationships have been maintained and moving on plans are achieved despite frequent incidents of challenging behaviour. Staff communicate effectively with outside agencies ensuring a consistent approach in implementing the young people's plans.

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Summary

Five outcomes are evaluated as good, with economic well-being satisfactory. There are clear plans in place to refurbish the accommodation. The one recommendation arising from this inspection is that the home should retain the review documentation. 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

There were two actions and one recommendation made at the last inspection. Refresher training on the physical intervention model used in the home is due later this year; in the meantime the manager is considering whether to adopt a policy of no restraint. The admission and discharge book is now up-to-date. The policy on room searches reflects practice in the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people's health and well-being are effectively promoted. Young people enjoy a varied and balanced diet, including foods from other cultures. Young people say that they are involved in choosing, buying and cooking food. They commented that staff, 'try to keep it healthy but we do have occasional treats.' A social worker said that staff, 'helped a young person to learn to cook in a healthy way and plan a balanced meal.'

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff are knowledgeable about the healthcare needs of the young people and are committed to ensuring that these needs are met. When young people are reluctant and unwilling to attend 4 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059221 appointments staff provide them with information so that they understand why these appointments are important. Staff and young people also discuss the impact of drug use and work with them to reduce their misuse, including access to professional support. Records are well maintained and provide a clear picture of illnesses, accidents and injuries experienced by young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are cared for by staff who receive the training they need so as to give medication and first aid when necessary. There are sound systems in place for the storage and administration of medication by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The young people's right to privacy is understood by staff and generally demonstrated in practice. Staff manage information on young people with attention to confidentiality and security. There has been one instance of a bedroom scan by police when the young people were not present. The comments of a young person as a result of this are recorded as a complaint, the sole complaint since the last visit and the manager is addressing this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team have a good knowledge of the range of issues that are involved in the effective safeguarding of young people. Staff have a clear understanding of their respective roles in reporting child protection concerns and this is underpinned by regular training. Staff are familiar with and know where to find and use the local authority safeguarding procedures. Young people say that there is no bullying in the home. Good levels of supervision and vigilance by staff minimise the opportunities for bullying to occur. Staff are proactive in managing instances of young people being absent without authority. Staff work with families and professionals and use a range of resources to try and assure themselves that a young person is safe and encourage them to return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff regard the development and maintenance of positive relationships between themselves and young people as key to effective behaviour management in the home. A social worker comments that a young person has developed a good relationship with the staff and this has helped in managing behaviour. There is a strong emphasis on the reinforcement of desirable behaviour. The use of sanctions is fair and proportionate and there have been no incidents of restraint. The manager is in the process of reviewing the use of physical interventions in the home, including the possibility of adopting a no restraint policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes the health and safety of young people seriously. There are clear systems in place for assessing environmental and individual risks. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated where necessary. The range of service records and checks required are up-to-date.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no new staff employed since the last inspection. The manager ensures that Criminal Records Bureau checks are renewed every three years for all staff. Visitors are required to sign in and are monitored appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young people receive individual support from staff in accordance with their care plans, which reflect a range of needs including those relating to identity. There is an established key worker 5 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059221 system in place, but the young people can, and do, approach any member of staff with personal concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have established links with a private tutor, a voluntary school and a specialist education resource in their efforts to encourage young people to attend and benefit from education. A social worker and education worker both comment on the strong commitment of the staff team to support young people and promote attendance in the face of considerable resistance from the young people themselves. This resistance, often established prior to admission to the unit, is recognised in the education plans that are in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are actively encouraged to pursue their interests and develop new ones. The staff work with young people to identify suitable groups and activities in the local community and if required, support them to attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The care planning and reviewing systems in place involve the young people. Young people say they are 'involved in meetings and thinking about my future all the time.' Care plans are reviewed regularly and young people are encouraged to contribute to the formal reviews in writing and in person. Not all of the documents relating to the reviews are available in the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from meaningful contact with their family and friends. Staff are flexible and sensitive to the wishes of the young people and their family and facilitate and supervise contact where necessary. A social worker commented positively on the practical and emotional support staff provide to a young person with complex family dynamics. Staff establish and maintain open lines of communication with families to the benefit of the young people. Young people confirm that staff are good at helping them to stay in touch with friends and their friends are welcome to visit the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have a voice in the home, they say 'we can have a say in what happens in the home all the time.' There are formal opportunities for young people to express their views, although young people are not always willing to attend these meetings. Staff then obtain young people's views informally on an individual basis. A social worker said a young person 'has developed a positive relationship with the staff group and feels able to express views and make requests.'

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. Young people develop independent living skills through daily activities, such as cooking and laundry, supported and encouraged by staff. Young people are also helped to develop budgeting skills, starting with taking responsibility for a clothing allowance, building to a weekly budget. A social worker commented 'the placement worked well to implement the care plan by supporting him to develop his independence skills in a safe and proportional way.'

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The house is in a residential area with easy access to local facilities, shops, public transport and is indistinguishable from its neighbours. Externally the house is well maintained but internally there are considerable signs of wear and tear, caused by deliberate damage. Health and safety issues are addressed promptly and there is a plan in place to effect cosmetic repairs and replace 6 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059221 furniture. Each young person has their own room and they are fully involved in choosing the décor and furnishings.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The Statement of Purpose is up-to-date and accurately reflects the practice in the home. The overall philosophy is of developing relationships between young people and staff that builds a culture of trust and respect. Young people are supported to take responsibility for themselves so as to boost their self confidence and development. A young person said 'the home is good at looking after young people and keeping us safe and welcome.'

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Organisation

The small staff team are effectively led by an experienced and committed manager. Staff benefit from regular training that affords them opportunities to develop their skills. This means that young people are cared for by a competent, skilled staff team. Staff support each other well, making good use of informal networks in addition to formal supervision, appraisals and regular team meetings. The manager undertakes regular monitoring and action is taken to address any identified deficits and develop practice. The records are well maintained and contain the required information.

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Organisation

Staff are deployed on shift to meet the needs of young people and staffing levels are increased in response to identified needs. Staff demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and commitment to young people in the face of some challenging behaviour. A social worker said that a young person 'has benefitted from the high levels of support and commitment of the staff group. At times behaviour has been challenging but this has been dealt with appropriately and proportionately by the staff.'

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff focus on providing young people with individual support in accordance with their expressed needs and wishes.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all the documentation relating to young people's reviews is available. (NMS 3) 7 of 7 Inspection Report: SC059221

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