Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Rochdale

Unique reference number SC065072 Inspection date 10/11/2010 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 03/02/2010 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 children's home provides accommodation for two young people of either sex from 10 years to 17 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The home is located in a quiet cul-de-sac and it is indistinguishable from other properties in the area. It is a detached house, with a garden to the rear and parking is available at the front of the home and in the attached garage. There is a lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and bathroom. There is office space with sleep-in facilities for staff and three bedrooms; two for young people and one is sleep-in room for a staff member. Public transport is available providing access to the town centre where there is a range of shops and amenities.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people are accommodated at the home and both were present at the time of 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 unannounced key inspection looked at all key standards and examined all outcome areas.

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Summary

This children's home is a good service. It has strengths in care planning for young people; meeting their health needs; providing them with individual support and positive relationships between staff and young people. Improvement is needed in some areas: improving records, such as unauthorised absences and checks on new staff; all staff being involved in a fire drill; monitoring by the Registered Manager; revising the complaints information for young people and more regular keywork sessions for young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered persons were asked at the last inspection to make a number of improvements at the home. They were asked to: ascertain young people's views of their plans; ensure complaints have recorded outcomes; ensure the home is suitably furnished and decorated; ensure that a bullying risk assessment is in place; ensure that sanctions are relevant; ensure risk assessments contain likelihood and severity; ensure that the opinions of families and placing authorities are considered about a young persons care; that the effectiveness of the measure is recorded in sanctions and staff undertake relevant training. All these matters have been addressed and help to promote young people's rights, keep them safe and improve their overall care. The registered persons were also asked to ensure: all required recruitment information is in place; monitoring by the manager is robust; absence records contain all required information and complaints information for young people is

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Improvements since the last inspection

revised. These issues have not been addressed. Statutory requirements and recommendations will be made in this report about these matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are encouraged to eat a balanced and nutritious diet that aids their development. Menu's show food that is planned for young people and staff also record what young people actually eat so dietary intake can be monitored. A young person stated that staff encourage healthy eating. Staff are trained in safe food handling and hygiene. This means food is prepared in a safe way that helps to protect young people's health and wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's health needs are assessed on admission and a clear plan developed to meet these needs. Young people's basic health care needs are met, such as access to doctors, dentist and opticians. Broader and more complex health needs can also be provided for if required. Health promotion matters are seen as an important part of young people's health care. They are provided with information and education on matters such as smoking, substance misuse and sexual health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Medication is stored securely in the home and staff are trained in the safe handling of medication, which helps to keep young people safe. Where required, young people get the medication they need to stay healthy. Records kept are accurate and clear and medication is audited. Consent is in place for young people for the use of first aid or homely remedies. This ensures any possible adverse effects from the use of any treatments is minimised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are afforded privacy and treated with dignity and respect. They have access to a telephone in order to keep in touch with people important to them. Information is stored securely in the home, which means young people's rights are respected. A policy is in place with regard to the grounds for searching young persons possessions. Records are kept of any searches. One entry showed the search was outside the defined criteria; however the manager has addressed this matter through monitoring processes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The complaints procedure and information provided to young people is good. However, information provided to young people does not contain all matters; such as expressly forbidding reprisals against children or others making a complaint and how complaints against the registered person are handled. Staff understand the complaints procedure and have been trained in complaints so they can fully support young people. Young people do know how to use the home's complaints system and have access to complaint forms. Records are kept of any complaint made and the outcome of any investigation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures are available in the home and accessible to staff. The home also has its own child protection procedure. There have been no child protection referrals and staff at the home are aware of and understand, the procedure to be followed if there was an allegation or suspicion of abuse. This helps to safeguard young people. A young person stated they felt safe at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A bullying policy and procedure is in place. Staff understand the procedure and methods to address and counter bullying in order to protect young people. Risk assessments are in place that contain control measures for countering bullying. There have been no bullying incidents. This was confirmed by a young person, who also said they feel safe at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A procedure is in place relating to any absence of a young person without authority. This is accessible to staff and includes all required matters. Staff contact the required authorities when a young person is absent and parents as appropriate. A record is in place for any absences. However, entries do not always record a young person's comments and views on their return to the home about why they were absent. Records also do not include all action taken as a result of these comments, such as updating the risk assessment, reviewing the care plan or meetings with other professionals. There is no indication that the young person was seen by someone independent of the home on their return. This means that young people's welfare and rights are not fully promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A number of policies are in place relating to behaviour management that help to underpin staff practices. Staff have very good relationships with young people. Young people stated they get on very well with staff. A record is in place for any physical restraints. There have been no incidents at the home since the last inspection. A record is also in place for any sanctions. Matters are recorded but not always clearly. For example use of the term 'loss of recreation' or 'no daily allowance'. Young people are encouraged to give their views on sanctions and hence develop responsibility. A young person said that sanctions were fair most of the time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessment takes place of young people's likely and known activities. Likelihood and severity are considered and control measures are put in place to minimise or eliminate risk. Health and safety matters are managed well. For example maintenance takes place of fire equipment, electrical appliances and the gas installation. Fire checks are carried out regularly as are fire drills that include young people to ensure they know how to stay safe. Not all staff have undertaken a fire drill in the last year so they understand the procedure to follow to keep themselves and young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment procedures are satisfactory. Although most information is available, one recruitment file examined did not have a reference from the person's most recent employer. There is also no clear process for deciding on the suitability of a potential employee in the light of any criminal convictions or other concerns about suitability that are declared or discovered through the recruitment process.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Care planning shows the individual support that young people need, including any professional services. Young people get good advice and information regarding matters such as sexual health, alcohol and substance misuse. They are allocated a keyworker and can approach any staff member for advice and support. A young person said they get good support and help from staff.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

An education policy is in place that shows how the home intends to support young people to achieve. Young people have a clear plan devised on admission on how staff will support them to achieve their potential. Personal education plans are in place. School reports are available that show young people's progress and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each young person has a care plan that sets out their full assessed needs and how these needs will be met. Care plans are regularly reviewed and kept up to date. They are shared with young people who sign them and can make any comments if they wish. A young person confirmed they had seen their care plan and agreed with it. Young people have allocated keyworkers who provide them with individual guidance and support. However, formal keywork sessions do not take place consistently. A young person confirmed that good support is provided by their keyworker.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Statutory looked after reviews of young people's care plans take place and the outcomes are clearly recorded. Contact arrangements are also clearly recorded and agreed. Young people are supported to keep in touch with people important to them as appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A policy and procedure is in place regarding the admissions process. A young person stated that they felt supported and cared for on admission and were given information about the home and what to expect. Young people are able to bring their own possessions with them and are involved in choosing décor for their own rooms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's opinions, views and wishes are considered in the operation of the home and in important decisions that affect their lives. Keyworker sessions do take place, but not always consistently; however a young person stated they get a say on everything that happens in the home. Processes are in place for consultation of placing authorities about young people's care and views ascertained are recorded and acted upon. There is a process for consulting families where appropriate.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people are not yet of an age where formal planning processes for preparing for leaving care or independent living are required. Young people are encouraged to undertake household chores, prepare snacks and get involved in cooking meals.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is well decorated, furnished and maintained throughout and is conducive to the positive care of young people.

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Organisation

Good information is available for young people, parents, professionals and others about the home and the services it provides. Information for young people is in a suitable format.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Young people's individual needs are assessed, considered and provided for. Young people state they are treat fairly. They have access to the complaints procedure and opportunities to experience different cultures and ways of life, such as a young person recently going on holiday to India. Staff have been trained in and understand equality and diversity as well as how to promote this with young people in the children's home.

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Organisation

The rota determines that there are sufficient staff on duty at all times to meet young people's needs. The home has a staff team with a mix of experience who have a good understanding of young people's needs. Staff understand the home's policies and procedure to help them keep young people safe. Most staff are qualified and have undertaken a range of required training that helps them deliver care and support to young people.

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Organisation

External monitoring of the home takes place each month as required. Reports are provided in a timely manner to the home and the regulatory body. Reports cover required matters and contain issues that helps the registered person improve the quality of care.

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Organisation

Internal monitoring of the home is carried out each month by the Registered Manager. Monitoring covers all required matters and reports are available. However, the process is not always sufficiently robust. Some shortfalls in provision are not always identified through this process. For example there is a shortfall in recruitment records and absences without authority records do not contain all required information. Young people's records contain all required information. This ensures that young people can make sense of their care at the home and their history.

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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

26 ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that all the persons working at the home are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire (Regulation 32) 03/12/2010

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Std. Action Due date

27 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Regulation 26 (Regulation 26) 17/12/2010

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Std. Action Due date

33 ensure the matters set out in Schedule 6 are robustly monitored each month with any shortfalls being identified as well as action to be taken to improve provision to children. (Regulation 34) 01/12/2010

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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

 revise the complaints information provided to children to include a summary of the matters set out in NMS 16 (NMS 16)  ensure written records of the circumstances of all incidents of absence without authority specifically include all action taken, the circumstances of the child's return, any reasons given by the child for the absence, and any action taken in the light of those reasons (NMS 19)  ensure recruitment files show the system followed to decide on appointment, or refusal of appointment of staff, in the light of any criminal convictions or other concerns about suitability that are declared or discovered through the recruitment process (NMS 27)  afford young people more regular opportunities through keyworker sessions for individual guidance, advice, consultation and support. (NMS 2)

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