Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Coventry

Unique reference number SC064117 Inspection date 07/09/2010 Inspector Jackie Callaghan Type of inspection Key

p.1

Date of last inspection 23/03/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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 Crispins, 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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is located within easy commuting distance to a large city centre. The home is a large bungalow-style building with office and staff sleeping-in rooms arranged on the upper floor. There are seven young people's bedrooms all with en- suite facilities. There are two lounges, a dining room and a domestic kitchen. There is one large bathroom with an assisted bath and a second smaller bathroom. There is a fenced garden with a patio and lawn area.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The service offers 24-hour personal care to children and young people with learning and physical disabilities. Five young people are currently living at the home and all were present on the evening of this visit. Young people contributed directly to this inspection through symbol questionnaires.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This inspection was an unannounced full inspection visit. All key standards and all outcome groups were assessed. Young people are receiving first-rate quality care and support that fully meets their needs. The home involves parents and/or carers to ensure that the quality of service continually remains appropriate and effective.

p.4

Summary

Two recommendations have been set as a result of this inspection to help further improve practice. Young people's observations on candidates applying to work with them are not routinely sort prior to staff being interviewed and subsequently employed by the company. The sanctions and physical interventions books do not contain the time that a sanction or intervention occurred. The accomplished relationships, however, between staff and young people are a key strength of the home.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable. There were no actions or recommendations set at the previous inspection.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

Young people are provided with a nutritiously balanced and appealing menu, taking into consideration their likes and dislikes. The meals are of a high standard with alternative options always available. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and healthy snacks available to young people. Young people are growing vegetables in the garden. They actively recycle and are learning to take an interest in the environment around them. Young people’s participation in positive recreational experiences contributes to their physical, social, emotional, growth and development. Young people all have comprehensive health care plans which are reviewed and updated routinely. This means young people receive care that actively promotes their welfare.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people’s medical needs are safely met. The home operates a well-developed and very effective medication policy and practice. Staff are abundantly aware of the comprehensive procedures that they adhere to. Staff's competence to administer medication is continually assessed. This ensures that the excellent practice continues to meet the high standards in order to promote young people's well-being.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people, who live at the home, do so in a safe and nurturing environment where their individual needs are at the centre of all activities. Young people's privacy and confidentially are fully respected by staff. Young people live in a stable environment where their welfare is paramount. Staff have a good understanding of the needs of young people and how to safeguard them. Staff receive regular child protection training and as a result, are fully aware of the correct procedures in order to report any allegations or child protection issues.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people confirm that they are very confident that their concerns are addressed and that they know about the complaints procedure. Ofsted has received no complaints about the home. There is an anti-bullying policy and bullying is known by all to be unacceptable. Staff are vigilant and mindful of the impact bullying can have on young people and creatively explore this topic using a range of methods to develop young people's understanding.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are very comfortable with their role of setting clearly understood boundaries while maintaining a high quality of relationship between themselves and the young people. As a result, young people are encouraged and supported to behave in ways that will sustain them in the community. However, the sanctions and the physical interventions books do not contain the time that a sanction or physical intervention occurred. This is a relatively minor shortfall but without it the Registered Manager cannot fully ascertain if any patterns or trends are occurring. Young people's files contain information that outlines what staff should do in the event of a young person leaving the home without permission. However, no young people have ever left the building without staff's permission. The home has regularly updated risk assessments for all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds including fire, young people's behaviour and activities. Safe procedures are in place

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to protect young people with tests on the fire systems and other electrical equipment taking place at the appropriate intervals. This ensures that young people can exit swiftly and calmly in the event of a fire.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operates a robust staff vetting procedure and staff demonstrate proactive awareness of the need to safeguard young people. Currently no children are involved in this process. Therefore the home is not assessing or observing if young people are happy with the selection of staff in advance of appointment.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are supported by a professional and well-informed team who successfully familiarise themselves with research and information on equality. Young people develop their confidence and practical abilities and are helped and supported to access a variety of in-house and community based activities. The young people have recently raised money for charity. As a result, young people have enhanced their self-awareness, improved their self-esteem and are learning about respect for others.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's education is fully supported. Written plans and monitoring systems are used to guide young people's progress and to reflect on their learning. These plans are regularly reviewed and evaluated in order to ensure the environment is tailored to further every young person's unique steps in learning. Consequently, young people take part in a deeply stimulating and challenging range of indoor and outdoor experiences.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The need for consistency of care and effective planning is given a high regard by staff and as a result, young people are provided with individualised care that meets their diverse needs. All care plans are regularly reviewed to ensure the changing needs of individuals are replicated. In preparation for reviews, staff compile reports in conjunction with the young person enabling their voice to be heard, and ensuring that their identity is respected during this process.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from the smart use of time. Staff spend a large majority of their time sitting and interacting with young people, so as to actively support their care and development. Young people are fully supported to maintain contact with family and friends. On entering the service young people can visit the home before staying overnight. Staff are aware that leaving the home can promote extreme anxieties for young people and they work hard to support them through this challenging change.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are supported to make choices and decisions which affect their lives, for example, what they wear, what they eat and where they want to go. The home takes innovative action to remove the barriers to participation and belonging for all. They do this through symbol prompts and other individual communication systems. This ensures that the young person's opinions and feelings are paramount in the decision making process.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are learning both social and practical skills. This includes how to handle money and how to act in safe, healthy and hygienic ways. They are learning how to relate socially to others around them in order to cooperate with their peers and staff. This not only equips them with the skills needed to help them as an adult, but inspires them to respect and value their own needs and the differing needs of others.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy staying in an accessible and pleasant environment that is welcoming and safe. Resources and space are used effectively to maximise young people's independence and to provide them with a secure environment. The home is well-maintained with good quality décor and furnishings. It is fully adapted to meet the needs of young people with mobility difficulties.

p.7

Organisation

The effective management of the home significantly contributes to the care and support young people receive. Staff know and understand the stated aims and objectives of the service that are consistent with the Statement of Purpose. Young people are well-informed about what the home provides through a young person friendly guide.

p.7

Organisation

Young people receive a high quality service from an experienced staff team who regularly receive good training, supervision and annual appraisal. Young people flourish as they are cared for by an exceptionally well organised, committed management and staff group who are dedicated to providing care of the highest quality. All staff receive a varied range of new and refresher training to ensure they are equipped with skills to support and meet the needs of young people in their care. One staff member stated that she 'feels well-supported' and another commented that 'I really enjoy working here as I feel valued'.

p.7

Organisation

The home has clear deputising arrangements in the absence of the Registered Manager and there is a formal on-call system to ensure additional support is available from experienced staff if needed. The staff rota is planned in advance and ensures that there is an appropriate number of staff on duty to meet the needs of young people.

p.8

Organisation

The provision of equality and diversity is outstanding. The home celebrates difference through valuing diversity and ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all their young people. They successfully recognise that young people from different backgrounds bring understanding, fresh ideas and different perceptions.

p.8

Organisation

Young people’s care files are meticulously organised and include all of the information detailed in schedule 3 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. Young people and staff thoroughly enjoy the stability of an efficiently run home. Systems for monitoring the operation of the home are robust, and the home has an atmosphere of purposeful and imaginative direction.

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.8

Recommendations

 ensure the bound books that documents physical interventions and sanctions include the time that these occurred (NMS 22. 9)  develop the recruitment and selection of staff to include the observations of young people. (NMS 27.7)

p.8