Children's Home run by Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

Unique reference number SC034313 Inspection date 15/11/2010 Inspector Simon Morley Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 08/04/2010 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 registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender from ages 15 to 17. The aim of the home is to support young people to become independent and help them with the transition to adulthood. The home also offers an outreach service to young people who have left care and may need additional support. One of the six beds is designated for emergency admissions with the aim to find young people admitted in an emergency an appropriate placement within 28 days.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached house with front and rear gardens. Downstairs there is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry, computer/contact room, shower room, private telephone for young people, and staff offices. Upstairs there are six single bedrooms, bathroom and staff sleep-in rooms.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to local health services, shops, leisure facilities and bus routes.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection of the safeguarding practices in the home and to check compliance with the statutory actions and good practice recommendations from the last inspection.

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Summary

The arrangements to protect young people from harm and help them stay safe have improved and most of the required improvements from the last inspection have been implemented. The overall quality rating remains satisfactory.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection the registered provider is required to: repair the private telephone used by young people; ensure that sanctions are assessed for their effectiveness in improving behaviour; adequately assess and address the risks of the impact of any new young person being admitted; and ensure monthly visits on behalf of the registered provider include checks of the use of restraint.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The quality of food provided to young people has improved and the home has achieved an award reflecting how well young people are encouraged to eat a healthy diet. Young people are much more involved in shopping and cooking. There are better records of individual diets helping staff to monitor and promote healthy eating.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people have been provided with a telephone to make calls in private unfortunately this has been broken and awaits repair.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There have been improvements to the way good, socially acceptable behaviour is promoted. However there is still no evidence that sanctions used as a response to unacceptable behaviour are assessed for their effectiveness at improving behaviour.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Personal education plans are in place for young people to help staff assist in the promotion of their education.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Admission records still do not adequately assess the risk of the impact of a new young person being admitted on existing residents and on the young person moving in. This has the potential to compromise outcomes for young people by risking an inappropriate placement.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and it accurately reflected at the time of inspection what the home offers. This helps young people be clear about they can expect. This includes how the diverse needs of young people currently living at the home will be met. The Statement of Purpose does not describe how unaccompanied asylum seeking children will be looked after which was a shortfall at the last inspection. However the home no longer has any asylum seeking children living there.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Training records are up to date which improves how training can be planned to meet staff developmental needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good outcomes for young people ensuring they are safe and free from harm. Staff are trained in safeguarding issues and now how to manage any allegations or suspicions of abuse and harm. There is effective work with other agencies to help protect and promote young people's safety. There is appropriate staff supervision of young people to help ensure their safety and there are well developed, individualised procedures that staff follow to protect young people when they go missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are generally free from any bullying in the home. There is a pleasant atmosphere, with respect and acceptance for each other which staff strive to promote and maintain. Young people are clear about the accepted standards of behaviour and are encouraged to talk through any issues and reasons for any poor behaviour. This is an improvement since the last inspection and helps young people to develop better more socially acceptable behaviour. Some sanctions are used as a response to inappropriate behaviour and though detailed records are kept of these, there is no assessment of how effective these sanctions are as a way of improving behaviour. This has not improved since the last inspection. If anyone's safety is at risk and as a last resort staff will physically intervene. This has only happened once since the last inspection. The manager monitors records of such incidents to make sure care practice is safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Monthly inspections are undertaken of the home by senior managers on behalf of the registered provider. This monitoring also helps to ensure young people are looked after safely. Records of physical intervention have not been checked during these visits. As there has only been one incident this shortfall in monitoring so far has had limited impact on outcomes for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected and written records about them are kept secure and confidential. A private telephone has been made available to young people since the last inspection. This has recently been broken and awaits repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to complain and feel their concerns are listened to and acted on. Young people report staff are approachable and like the way they are listened to and included in the running of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is a safe place to live in, well maintained and there is a suitable approach to risk management promoting young people's development and keeping them safe. There are good procedures for the recruitment of new staff to make sure only suitable staff are employed. Visitors are monitored and their identification checked to ensure the safety of young people.

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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

22 ensure that records of the use of control, restraint or discipline include the effectiveness of the use of the measure. (Regulation 17.4) 28/02/2011

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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

 ensure the private telephone used by young people is repaired (NMS 9.5)  ensure both the needs of the child concerned, and the likely effects of his/her admission upon the existing group of residents, are taken into account, and recorded, in decisions on admissions to the home (NMS 5.7)  ensure that visits carried out under this standard include checks on the use of restraint. (NMS 32.2)

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