Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

Unique reference number SC063550 Inspection date 08/11/2010 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 25/01/2010 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 situated within a residential development close to a town centre. The home is a large detached property. They provide accommodation for up to six young people from the ages of 11 years to 17 years, who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over two floors. The ground floor includes a kitchen, two lounges, a dining room, a laundry room, toilet shower room and an office. Young people have their own rooms which are located on the upper floor. The home is close to local shops, transport links and community resources.

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Brief description of the service

Staff and young people present participated within this inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection, all key standards were inspected. This is a good service overall, with one outcome area being outstanding.

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Summary

Young people benefit from positive relationships with staff, they are afforded a range of facilities and opportunities to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle, to develop their life skills and they reach outstanding outcomes in enjoying and achieving.

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Summary

Staff benefit from a good level of training and support, and they work well with other professionals to meet the complex needs of young people in areas such as emotional and physical well-being.

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Summary

Minor shortfalls in meeting the national minimum standards have not adversely affected the care given to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, an action required that all unnecessary risks to the healthy or safety of children are identified and where possible eliminated, for example, gas safety checks being completed. This has been undertaken and maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Additionally, the Registered Manager was asked to ensure that all staff have undertaken child protection training and to maintain adequate precautions to protect young people by ensuring that persons employed to the home continue to be suitable to work with children, for example, updated criminal records checks and or disclaimers. Staff have now completed child protection training and there is a rolling programme in place for new staff to access as part of their induction training, and for existing staff to maintain refresher training. All staff now have signed disclaimers on file. This makes them obliged to disclose any information which may be pertinent after the Criminal Records Bureau check has been undertaken. This provides further safeguards for the young people placed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive a nutritious and balanced diet that promotes their good health and well-being. Menu planning is discussed within the household by all concerned and includes a variety of foods from other cultures which young people are encouraged to try. Young people enjoy a cultural evening on a regular basis. They are also encouraged learn about that country and try various cultural dress. This means they learn to appreciate different cultures and enjoy a wide selection of foods. Menu planning takes account of young people's individual tastes, preferences and needs. Young people are routinely involved in developing independence skills by helping to prepare some meals or snacks with guidance from staff so that they are able to cook a selection of meals when they leave.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health needs are identified in the pre-placement planning meeting and a health plan shows how these needs are to be addressed. The home has good working relationships with local health services, and children's good health is promoted because they are registered with a local General Practitioner, dentist and other appropriate health care services. The home follows up all health checks that are outstanding when a new young person is admitted, for example, staff ensure that all young people are up to date with vaccinations. The home ensures that referrals are made for specialist health assessments where necessary. Good systems are in place to routinely monitor young people's health, and action is taken to address any concerns. However, written permission from a person with parental responsibility for a young person, for medical treatment and first aid is in need of renewal as the person who has previously granted this is no longer eligible to give

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff follow detailed guidance relating to the medication. This means that children receive the medication they need at the appropriate times. All medicines are stored safely in a suitable, locked cabinet. This means that young people's health needs overall are met to a good standard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff demonstrate a good commitment to preserving the confidentiality, dignity and privacy of young people and they have a good understanding of safeguarding issues. This ensures that young people are protected from abuse. There is a rolling programme of training for staff, which is kept up to date, and detailed policies and procedures guide them in their work. This helps to ensure that equality and diversity is considered when caring for the young people accommodated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The service has a well developed complaints procedure and all complaints are responded to promptly. Young people know the complaints procedure and they are confident that any complaint will be taken seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff intervene should a bullying situation arise, and issues relating to bullying are handled well, ensuring young people feel safe. Young people are well supervised through good staffing levels. Individual and environmental risk assessments, and placement plans allow staff to manage any concerns that might arise between young people. There are policies and procedures in place for staff to follow in the event of an unauthorised absence, which ensures that young people are properly protected. There are few incidents of unauthorised absence recently, but these have tended to be linked to lateness as opposed to missing overnight.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff act as positive role models and use effective communication skills to encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. They place great emphasis on building positive relationships with young people and understanding young people’s behaviour. Young people have clear and consistent boundaries and know what is expected of them and what is unacceptable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff praise young people when they do well and reward them. They also reassure young people when they are upset and help them deal with their anxieties and frustrations in a positive way. Staff do not condone unacceptable behaviour and assist young people to learn to manage their behaviour and solve problems. Young people are aware of what is expected of them. Physical intervention is used as a last resort. Recording systems for sanctions show that staff are reasonable in their approach when applying consequences. The emphasis is on rewarding young people and raising their self esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff carry out regular health and safety checks of the premises, including certification for gas, electric and fire safety checks. The vetting of staff and visitors is also thorough to make sure young people are protected. The home carries out robust recruitment checks including the verification of written references before staff start work at the home, this helps to safeguard young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people feel supported and receive individual help and guidance when they need it. Their support needs are explicitly identified in comprehensive placement plans, which are put into practice to an exemplary standard. The home can meet a wide range of young people's potential needs, including healthy lifestyles, culture, dealing with problems, education, gender, relationships and personal care. Young people have every opportunity to talk to staff about their problems and needs. Staff are comfortable discussing sensitive issues, such as race, sexual health and family relationships with young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people feel that staff are good at 'listening to me'. Staff treat young people fairly and equally. They place great emphasis on accepting young people as individuals, and promote tolerance by encouraging young people to accept differences and respect each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Also, the home has well-established and effective links with a variety of helping services, including advocacy and health services, to ensure that young people have full access to the right support to meet their specific needs, including those relating to emotional well-being, equality and diversity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's education and achievement is actively encouraged and supported. Their placement plans provide details about their learning needs and how these are supported. Young people enjoy learning are making good progress, producing work of an excellent standard. Some young people are on target to gain GCSEs, and are looking further into higher education. Staff always encourage young people to do well and praise their efforts and abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has good links with young people's schools, and work very effectively with their teachers to support their education, follow their progress and deal with any problems that may arise. The home's daily routines support young people's daily attendance at school. Staff provide practical and emotional support when young people experience difficulties going to school. This support always reflects young people's individual needs and issues they face. The home also have a tutor that visits the home every week and this provides extra support and education for the young people, which also helps to boost their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff actively encourage young people to enjoy their spare time and to take part in leisure activities at home and in the community. Young people enjoy a wide range of activities and are able to follow particular interests, such as football, cricket, playing the drums and days out. Also, young people very much enjoyed individual holidays over the recent summer break and spoke excitedly about this. Young people as a result are able to meet and socialise with young people from different social and cultural backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have written placement plans identifying their needs and outlining the arrangements for meeting them. Staff put the plans into practice and keep detailed records about young peoples' progress and experiences. Young peoples' placement plans are reviewed regularly to make sure that they are up to date and continue to meet their needs. Young people attend review meetings and feel that they are listened to and their views about their lives taken into account. Young people see their families regularly to help them maintain relationships. Staff make sure that the arrangements for contact promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. Staff also work closely with parents and agencies who are concerned with the care of a young person to support young people when they move on from their placement at the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people move into the home in a sensitive way. Staff are good at helping young people settle in, making sure they know what is expected of them, what to do if they are worried, and know their way around the local area. The home is good at gathering sufficient information about young people before they move in to ensure that the home is able to meet their needs and assess their compatibility with other young people. The home also takes emergency admissions of young people into their care. This can be a strength and a weakness as the need is great, but the unknown can be unsettling at times. The Registered Manager, manages this process very carefully to ensure that the young people's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are actively encouraged to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the home is run. They are involved in decisions about what food they eat, what they do in their spare time, how the home is decorated and the house rules. Staff and the provider seek young people’s views about how well they feel they are looked after.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people enjoy good relationships with staff based on honesty and respect. Staff are helpful and enjoy spending time with young people. They have clear professional and personal boundaries with young people consistent with good child care and place an emphasis on being good role models.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff prepare young people for adult life well. Staff encourage young people to take more responsibility for themselves and develop life skills suitable to their age and understanding. For example, young people routinely take part in the daily tasks of running the home, such as doing their own laundry and handling money. This results in them developing a wide range of life skills to support them in the future.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are encouraged to express their individuality in the way they dress. Their clothes are of a good standard and meet young people's needs relating to age, gender, culture, and the weather. They are involved in choosing how to spend their pocket money, and allowances for toiletries and clothing.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a homely and comfortable environment that meets their needs. Young people like the accommodation and have personalised the home to reflect their interests and individual tastes. The house is maintained, decorated and furnished to a good standard. The large rear garden area is well maintained and used by the young people to play football, and other outdoor games.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Positive development has been made to meet the diverse and complex needs of the young people. The main strengths come from the strong links the home has with schools. This promotes development in all aspects of personal, social and health education and citizenship. Staff ensure that young people receive an individual service designed to meet their personal needs. Staff have good knowledge of the young people they are working with, ensuring their needs are consistently met. The home values the rights of individuals to respect and dignity.

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Organisation

The home has a clear Statement of Purpose and this sets out the aims of the home and how it will operate. Young people also receive a children's guide to the home and this gives them useful information including advice about how to seek external support if necessary. However, Ofsted's address has been omitted from the young people's guide. This information is required, in order that young people can contact Ofsted directly in a number of ways, if they wish to do so.

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Organisation

Staff say they are well supported by the management of the home and have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. They know who they contact for support. Staff say that that they receive regular professional supervision. However, there is limited documentary evidence of this available for inspection.

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Organisation

Staff meetings take place regularly and provide an opportunity to discuss the running of the home and reflect on young people’s needs and progress. The staff team reflects the cultural backgrounds of the young people living in the home and provides both positive male and female role models for young people. The numbers of staff on duty meet the needs of young people. This includes the support they need for activities, visits and appointments. Young people are looked after by competent and enthusiastic people who have suitable skills and experience to meet their needs. They provide positive adult role models for young people and work in a consistent way to provide young people with stability and emotional security.

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Organisation

The provider and Registered Manager regularly monitor the running of the home and the quality of care. They take action to improve the service provided and make sure that the home meets young people’s needs and promotes their welfare. The Registered Manager has introduced a quality assurance document for young people, parents and social workers. This is to gain the views of all involved with the young person's placement, and identify complaints or concerns. This ensures that young people feel that their views and opinions are valued.

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Organisation

Young people’s records are well written, organised and contain up to date information about them, including the relevant documents from the placing authority. This means that the home’s written records provide a good picture of individual young people’s needs, development and progress.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

1 ensure that the children's guide accurately describes what the home sets out to do for the children and includes the address and telephone number of Ofsted. (Reg 4 (3)) 31/12/2010

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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

 obtain written permission from a person with parental responsibility for each child, for medical treatment and first aid (NMS 13.4)  ensure all staff receive at least one and a half hours of one to one supervision from a senior member of staff each month and that new staff receive at least one and a half hours of one to one supervision from a senior member of staff, fortnightly, during the first six months of their employment. (NMS 28.2)

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