Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC357981 Inspection date 07/09/2010 Inspector John Chivers Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 17/02/2010 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

The home is located on the sea front of a coastal town. Shops and other amenities are close by and good access to public transport allows opportunities to access other coastal towns. The home provides accommodation for up to four children on the two upper floors of the building, whilst the communal, education and leisure facilities are on the ground and basement floors. The home caters for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and who have a wide range of needs.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The inspection was a full inspection and unannounced. All of the 'key' standards in the sections being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were assessed at this inspection. The one action made at the last inspection was found to have been met in full and no actions or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. The home is organised and managed to a good standard and affords an equally good standard of care and support to the resident young people, having clear regard for equal opportunity and equality and diversity issues throughout it's operation. Three young people were in the home at the time of the inspection and took limited part in the inspection process.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the registered manager was asked to ensure that staff sign the restraint book on all occasions. This now occurs and no gaps are evident in the restraint records which now fully complies with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people benefit from eating a healthy diet and any special diets are catered for on request. Young people learn to shop for provisions and help prepare meals as part of their general learning and independence training. Meals are prepared in a kitchen of domestic size which is well equipped and clean. Provisions are safely and correctly stored and refrigerator and freezer temperatures are taken and recorded. Staff are trained in food hygiene and the home's catering arrangements meet the local environmental health department standards. Young people have detailed health and medical histories of which all staff are aware and have access to a local general practice and choice of doctor if required. Staff monitor and review young people's health care arrangements and detailed health care plans are held and visits to the doctor and other health care professionals are recorded. Signed parental consent for emergency medical treatment is held. Young

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Helping children to be healthy

people are encouraged to live healthy life styles and take part in a range of physical activities which helps to keep them fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive safe and diligent medical treatment from staff who are trained in medication administration and first aid and who keep clear and accurate records of any medication administered. Medication is securely held in locked cabinets within a locked cupboard and any old or discarded medication is returned to the pharmacy for disposal and a record is kept.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people enjoy good privacy and are confident any appropriate information about them and their background records are kept in confidence. Young people are treated with dignity and respect and have access to telephones without reference to staff. Toilets and bathing facilities afford good privacy and confidential records are securely held in locked cabinets within a locked office. Young people have lockable facilities within their rooms in which to keep safe any valued and treasured possessions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and their parents have unrestricted access to the home's complaints procedure and are confident any complaint would be taken seriously by staff. However young people are clear they have no complaints about the home or the way staff treat them. Staff are trained in the home's complaints procedure at induction and this is reinforced periodically at team meetings. Complaints are clearly recorded and show action taken and an outcome.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from abuse and harm by staff who are trained in child protection and safeguarding and who reinforce advice regarding their personal safety in one to one meetings and group meetings. Young people said they feel safe in the home and that staff have full regard for their protection and well-being. Staff are clear regarding the home's child protection and safeguarding procedures and appropriate recording and notifications are made in the event. There are no current child protection issues in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying by staff who are alert to such conduct and are quick to challenge such behaviour. Young people said there are no significant issues regarding bullying at the home. The home has clear procedures regarding missing persons and while unauthorised absences are not currently an issue in the home, appropriate action has been taken in the past where such issues have arisen. Young people's behaviour is generally well managed by staff who are trained in behaviour management. While some difficulties regarding conduct have occurred in the past appertaining to some young people, the current standard of behaviour management is satisfactory. Staff have good working relationships with young people and good communication, interaction and engagement is evident. Sanctions and restraint are clearly recorded and any restraint used is appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young People live in a safe and well maintained environment and the home takes active steps to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential hazards. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are good throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises currently accessible to young people following damage to the basement area caused by a recent flood to a number of houses in the area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment and vetting procedures are sound and robust and staff files hold all required information including a minimum of two written references and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level. The home's recruitment and vetting procedures helps to ensure that only suitable staff are employed to look after the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people benefit from good levels of care and support from their key workers and other staff. There is external support from a range of professionals as appropriate and access to advocates, an independent person and youth work counselling. Young people can record their views on care and support in their individual 'feelings book'. Records demonstrate committed efforts by staff in supporting young people through difficult and traumatic episodes in their lives.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people enjoy education and learning activities which are facilitated by staff in out of school time and are encouraged to complete home work. Staff are aware of any special educational needs young people may have and copies of individual education plans are held. Key workers liaise with schools that young people attend and attend school meetings and events as appropriate. There is an education and tutorial room within the home; however this is currently out of use due to severe damage caused by flooding and is currently in the process of repair and renovation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from having their needs fully assessed prior to admission, or soon after admission regarding emergency placements. Detailed placement plans are in place which are prepared, monitored and reviewed by key workers. In addition there are comprehensive behaviour management plans and individual risk assessments. Staff and young people are clear regarding proposed and intended developments for young people's holistic care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are kept informed about their future via the statutory reviewing process which the home ensures is held within the prescribed time scales. Young people and their parents can attend the reviews and make a verbal and written contribution to the proceedings. Any contact that young people have with their parents and significant others is clearly recorded.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home has a clear admissions criteria and process which helps to ensure that appropriate young people are admitted to the home and therefore gain maximum benefit from their placement; however some may leave in an unplanned way following unforeseen events and circumstances. Young people benefit from independence training where they learn skills which will help equip them for later life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have the opportunity for consultation via a range of forums where their views, opinions and choices can be secured and appropriately acted upon by staff.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home takes positive steps to prepare young people to leave the home in a planned way and engages them in independence training in order to help equip them with the necessary skills for later life. Young people have pocket money, a clothing allowance and access to personal requisites. Staff keep accurate records of monitory transactions.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a safe and well-maintained environment which has adequate space to meet their needs. Communal areas are decorated and furnished to a good standard, are homely and comfortable. Young people's bedrooms are decorated and furnished to an equally good standard and personalised to varying degrees by their occupants. Toilet and bathing facilities are of a good standard and afford good privacy. The basement is currently being repaired and refurbished due to damage caused by flooding in the area. While this has limited the use of facilities, young people and staff have coped admirably with the situation and tried not to let it interfere too much with their quality of life at the home.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff having a clear regard for, and an awareness of people's differences. The home is organised and managed to a good standard and affords an equally good standard of care and support to the resident young people. Parents and young people are given sufficient information about the home. The Statement of Purpose and young people's guide are informative and give an accurate description of the service and facilities provided and are reviewed annually.

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Organisation

Young people receive a good standard of care and support from a well-trained, supervised and appraised staff team who are sufficient in number, skills and experience to meet the needs of the children and enable the home to achieve it's aims and objectives. Staff are committed to the young people and work enthusiastically to promote their welfare. Staff are supportive of the home's management and ethos and have full regard for equal opportunity and equality and diversity issues. Young people's personal files are organised and maintained to a good standard and hold all required information.

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Organisation

The home's internal quality assurance systems are sound and the manager and deputy manager ensure checks are carried out each month on the home's operation. Regulation 33 monthly visits occur and show diligent monitoring and scrutiny of the home's conduct. Copies of the reports are held at the home and copies are also forwarded to Ofsted as part of the home's responsibilities under Regulation 33 of the Children's Home's Regulations 2001. The home has a current insurance liability certificate which complies with the service's responsibilities as an employer.

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