Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC068076 Inspection date 19/10/2010 Inspector Dorrit Andrews Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 30/03/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home provides short-term placements and is owned and run by the local Children's Services Department. It is a semi-detached property located in a small village and is registered for two young people aged 11 to 17 years. Domestic style accommodation is provided throughout. Young people each have their own bedroom and separate facilities are provided for staff.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people are currently living in the home and both of them contributed to the inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection and all key standards were covered. Each of the six outcome areas are judged as good.

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Summary

Young people continue to be provided with a good level of care and benefit from competent staff who are sufficient in number and experience to meet their needs.

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Summary

There is good management of the home and a commitment to continuous improvement. Staff report they receive good management and team support and have access to a range of training to support them in their work.

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Summary

Young people state they are consulted and feel able to talk to staff. They also report their privacy is respected and they feel safe at the home.

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Summary

Records and documentation are maintained to a good standard overall and appropriately monitored. However, the home's staffing policy is not included in the Statement of Purpose and fire records do not record the time at which every fire evacuation drill is carried out. Two recommendations have been raised in relation to these matters.

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Summary

The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection asked the provider to ensure that the date of all incidents of absconding are clearly recorded. Staff have been reminded of the importance of detailed recording and the previous identified shortfall in historical records has been addressed. The action taken contributes to the safeguarding of young people's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people’s health needs are well met and they lead healthy lifestyles. Staff encourage and support young people to eat a healthy, balanced diet and take regular exercise. Young people are involved in menu planning and preparing meals and have ready access to fresh fruit and drinks. Meals offered are balanced and nutritious and meal times are social occasions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health care of young people is promoted and they receive health care as necessary. Clear health plans are in place for each young person and detail health services supporting individual needs. Age appropriate health advice and guidance is provided by staff in their daily contact with young people and includes diet, personal hygiene and relationships. In addition, a well produced health and well-being booklet provides young people with a comprehensive resource of up-to-date health information and details of advice networks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff are trained in first aid and administering medicines and refresher courses are accessed. Systems are in place to monitor the administration of medication and records show clearly where medication has been refused. A senior member of staff is responsible for auditing the documentation to ensure correct procedures are followed and that records remain well maintained. This practice supports the health and well- being of young people. Written permission is sought from those with parental responsibility regarding the administering of first aid and non-prescribed medication. Medication is securely stored and good records are kept of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected and information is confidentiality handled. For example, staff maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality, records are securely stored and young people are able to keep their valuables safe either by locking their bedroom door or passing items to staff for safe keeping.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to raise any worries or concerns they may have at an early stage and are provided with details of the home's complaint procedure. Appropriate records are maintained of complaints and young people are responded to promptly and sensitively. Young people report they can talk to a member of staff of their choosing and are listened to. No complaints have been received by Ofsted in relation to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures are in place to promote the safeguarding of young people from abuse and bullying. Staff receive child protection training and have opportunities to discuss safeguarding matters during supervision sessions and team meetings. Countering bullying training has also been secured for the team and is planned to be delivered in the next few weeks. These provisions enable staff to respond appropriately to issues and promote the welfare of young people. Placement plans identify potential safeguarding risks and strategies are put in place in consultation with individuals to counter such risks. These include young people contacting the home at agreed times when out in the community and key worker discussions about keeping safe. Good links are maintained with other professionals concerned with safeguarding and young people report they feel safe at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear guidance is in place for staff regarding the action to take if a young person goes missing. There have been no reported incidents since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are supported to develop appropriate behaviour through the encouragement of positive responses, reflective discussion and the establishment of positive relationships with staff. Few sanctions are used and the use of physical intervention is rare. Behaviour management training is provided to staff and includes de-escalation techniques and the use of physical intervention. Young people view the rules of the home and expectations of staff as 'normal' and 'fair' and state that when things have not gone well 'staff talk to us and discuss things'. Sanctions are appropriate, properly recorded and monitored, and young people are encouraged to record their views in response.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are taken seriously by the home and a good system of policies, procedures and risk assessments support the maintenance of a safe environment for young people, staff and visitors. Staff and young people are familiar with fire evacuation procedures and fire safety training is provided to staff. However, the time at which fire evacuation drills take place are not recorded in every instance to evidence that they take place at different times. Servicing records of electrical equipment, boiler and fire detection systems demonstrate regular cycles of maintenance and prompt responses when repairs are required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable procedures are in place for the recruitment and checking of staff. Records of visitors are maintained and proof of identification is requested where appropriate. These practices reduce potential risks to the welfare of young people living at the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people receive a good level of individualised support in line with their needs and wishes, including support from external agencies. Staff are open to discussing a wide range of issues with young people including relationships, drug abuse, keeping safe and health matters. A key worker system is operated and staff encourage and support young people to be involved in discussions about their daily lives and plans for their future. Interactions observed between staff and young people were seen to be positive, warm and supportive.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The involvement of all young people in the daily life of the home is encouraged. Staff endeavour to nurture positive friendships between young people through the promotion of respect and tolerance of others. The individuality of young people is acknowledged and they are encouraged to pursue interests and activities outside of the home where possible, including meeting up with friends, roller skating and trips to places of interest. Involvement in such activities help young people negotiate their place within the community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is valued and staff are committed to supporting young people with their education and development of life skills. Effective links are maintained with educational establishments and young people have access to a local library and home computer. The routine of the home is organised to support each individual's educational programme, including those who are not in school and those engaged in further education.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are usually able to move into and leave the home in a planned and sensitive manner. As the home takes emergency placements, some young people arrive at short notice. The needs of the young person concerned and the likely effect of their admission on the existing residents are comprehensively assessed prior to admission. Existing residents are informed of new placements wherever possible and new residents are provided with written information about the home and what to expect. In addition, information is sought from parents/carers regarding a young person's routine and the young person is encouraged to complete a questionnaire with staff about their likes and dislikes. Young people report that staff help them settle in and explain the day-to-day routine of the home. These practices support the maintenance of individual placements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from comprehensive placement plans which set out how their individual needs are to be met on a day-to-day basis. The plans are monitored and regularly reviewed by key workers and the manager of the home. Individual work undertaken with young people by key workers is primarily linked to placement plans and is fully documented. Young people are encouraged and supported to attend placement meetings and reviews, if only for a short while. Where this proves difficult, staff will advocate on their behalf.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are supported with their individual contact arrangements and these are appropriately recorded. For example, staff will provide practical support by providing transport. Any restrictions on contact for the protection of the young person are made clear.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff encourage young people to contribute their ideas and suggestions in relation to the running of the home. Both formal and informal opportunities are made available. Particular views are sought regarding menus and activities. Parents and significant others are also consulted and their opinions sought regarding key decisions affecting young people's lives. The quality of communication is highly praised by one parent who states 'this home is the best in the two years my child has been in care; they keep me informed about everything'.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The daily life of the home provides opportunities for young people, appropriate to their age, to develop knowledge and skills within a supportive environment. For example, shopping for food, clothes and toiletries and help with preparing and cooking meals. Household tasks within the home, including cooking, cleaning and washing, are shared between male and female staff thereby promoting positive role modelling. Individuals moving towards independent living are provided with an independence living allowance and are supported to budget for food and personal requisites and regularly shop and cook for themselves.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Preparation for leaving care programmes are regularly discussed and reviewed with young people and detail the work being undertaken. The manager is awaiting the completion of one Pathway Plan and has taken appropriate steps to pursue this.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides pleasant, domestic style accommodation that is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Accommodation is clean and tidy and well maintained. Each young person has their own bedroom which they are encouraged to personalise with accessories and personal effects and keep clean and tidy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Outside areas are well maintained and kept free of safety hazards thereby providing a pleasant and safe environment.

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Organisation

The home's Statement of Purpose is in place and regularly reviewed. Separate documentation is provided for young people and contains useful information about the day-to-day routine of the home, expectations regarding behaviour and care provided.

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Organisation

Staff are sufficient in number, experience and qualifications to support the work of the home and the team has a mix of male and female staff with a good range of skills and experience. A staffing policy is in place and team members explain how this is implemented in practice. Staffing levels are increased when required to meet the individual needs of young people and good efforts are made to achieve continuity and consistency of care. However, the home's staffing policy is not included in the Statement of Purpose therefore, interested parties are not fully informed on the operation of the home.

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Organisation

There is a clear management structure and staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding the welfare of young people placed under their care. Young people are made aware of who is on duty, cover arrangements are in place for when staff or management are absent and back up support is always available through the home's on-call system.

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Organisation

A range of topics within a rolling programme of refresher training are accessed and a written record of staff training is kept. Staff identify good communication, a supportive team and manager and effective individual work with young people as strengths of the home.

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Organisation

Effective systems are in place to monitor the care of young people and the performance of the home. Copies of Regulation 33 visitor reports are held on file and made available for inspection and the manager regularly monitors and signs the home's records to identify any issues requiring action.

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Organisation

The provision of equality and diversity is good. Young people's needs are acknowledged and they are provided with individualised care.

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Organisation

Case records reflect the individuality of young people and record their development and progress. Files are well maintained, organised and securely stored.

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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):

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Recommendations

 record the time at which all fire evacuation drills take place (NMS 26.8)  include details of the home's staffing policy in the Statement of Purpose as outlined in NMS 30.2. (NMS 30.2)

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