Children's Home run by Archways Care Limited in Worcestershire

Unique reference number SC383941 Inspection date 18/11/2010 Inspector Carole Moore Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 19/04/2010 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

This is a children's home for four young people between the ages of eight and 17 with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It offers care to children on a medium to long-term basis and provides a nurturing environment in which to develop and prepare the young people for a return to family, foster care or independent living. The home is a detached residence with sufficient car parking space to the side of the house and a large garden at the rear. The home is situated with access to public transport and there is also a wide range of leisure activities in the close vicinity. The house has been tastefully decorated to a high specification, but remains homely.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Three young people were present during the inspection process.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection concentrated on key national minimum standards in relation to the outcome area of staying safe. The home's last key inspection took place in April 2010, when one recommendation was made and the home was judged to be good.

p.4

Summary

Each young person is receiving a focused level of care and support that successfully promotes their personal needs, social development and safety. The Registered Manager and staff team are committed to managing the home in a way that best suits the group of young people accommodated.

p.4

Summary

This inspection confirmed that the home continues to be well managed. The home has well established procedures and systems in place for the effective assessment of risk and staff recruitment practices take all the required precautions to ensure that young people, staff and visitors are safe at all times.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the home was recommended to ensure that each child has at least one person, independent of the home and the child's placing authority, whom they can contact directly about personal problems or concerns at the home. This is currently in place with telephone numbers of advocates clearly made known to the young people should they wish to make contact.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are clearly benefiting from living in a home that has a good focus on safeguarding and protection matters. The home has a range of operational policies and procedures that are used effectively to promote the safety and welfare of young people. Young people are actively encouraged to improve their awareness and understanding about how to keep themselves safe. The home has clear leadership that consistently promotes an environment where protection and safety is paramount.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are valued and respected and staff practice conveys that they promote safety, respect and dignity. Communication with young people takes place in a manner that respects their right to privacy and confidentiality. Staff seek permission before entering their bedrooms.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying as staff present a clear commitment to promoting behaviour that is respectful. They actively challenge any form of behaviour that may be perceived as harmful and upsetting. There are well- established staff practices for reporting any event where a young person is absent from the home without permission.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's right to complain is fully supported by the home's staff. They are aware of their responsibilities in relation to promoting an individual's rights and to ensure young people's voices are heard. As a consequence, young people know how make a complaint and records show they feel listened to.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of young people is promoted, they are protected from abuse, and appropriate responses are made to any allegation or suspicion of abuse, which is good. All staff receive training in child protection and safeguarding and regular refresher training is organised. Newly appointed staff receive training during their induction programme.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management of health and safety processes is robust. This helps to protect young people from the risk of harm or injury. The home has established systems and procedures in place to ensure that the health and safety of young people is monitored and promoted. For example, fire prevention systems are checked and serviced regularly, emergency evacuation procedures are carried out and risk assessments are completed to inform the home about environmental safety issues.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are robust procedures for the recruitment and selection of staff. These ensure that all staff are thoroughly vetted before they start work. All visitors to the home are monitored because they are required to provide evidence of their identity and to sign a visitor’s book. These robust systems protect young people as they ensure that unauthorised individuals are not able to gain access to the home.

p.5