Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005066 Inspection date 25/11/2010 Inspector Barbara Davies Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 12/02/2010 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 registered to provide care for one young person, of either sex, between the age eight and 18 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private company and is located in a residential area that has easy access to local facilities and public transport.

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Brief description of the service

The house has a lounge, kitchen and dining area on the ground floor. The young person’s bedroom and bathroom is on the first floor, where there is also a staff office that combines as a staff sleeping-in room. There is a front and rear garden.

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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

The home is currently not providing accommodation to children and young people. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes users’ views about the service. As this evidence is not available when there are no children and young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection; the purpose of which is to decide that, should an admission be made, the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard.

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Summary

A random and not the planned key inspection was, therefore, conducted. There were no outstanding actions or recommendations following the last inspection. All the key standards in staying safe were inspected and a brief tour of the premises conducted. Confirmation was sought from the manager that practices in the other outcome areas remained the same as previously.

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Summary

Since the previous inspection, the home has accommodated three young people, at separate times and with little notice. In each instance the placement has been for a short period of time, ranging from one to six weeks. The purpose has been to offer young people, in crisis, a period of respite from their permanent placement. While living in the home, young people have been provided with individual support and prepared for their next move. A speedy response can be made to requests for a placement in an emergency, due to a well co-ordinated and co-operative response between other registered managers of homes in the organisation. Excellent staffing levels within homes facilitates the quick formation of a staff team from other existing teams. These staff are already experienced and trained in the organisation's methods of working with children.

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Summary

As no young people living in the home, the quality rating is assessed as being satisfactory.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was not required to make any improvements following the previous inspection. There is, however, a system in place for self- evaluation and monitoring of practice. Practice is regularly assessed for its appropriateness and effectiveness. The Registered Manager demonstrates a commitment to continual improvement and development of practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The manager confirmed that the arrangements for promoting all aspects of care, including health are the same as when previously inspected and as is practice in other homes. The previous two inspections have concluded that the registered manager has a good knowledge and awareness of local agencies and health issues relating to the lifestyles of young people. There are clear procedures and recording formats for ascertaining, organising and monitoring young people’s health and medical needs. First aid training is available to staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a well-equipped kitchen and there are routines in the home for encouraging young people to discuss healthy eating and organise menus in weekly house meetings. The placement care planning format and independence preparation programme provide young people with the opportunity to take responsibility for shopping and cooking their own meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are policies and procedures in place regarding the safe handling and storage of medication with appropriate storage facilities available. There is an individual recording format for each young person’s medication and a central record for all medication received, disposed of and administered to young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A high priority is placed on the safety and welfare of children accommodated. Processes are followed to keep parents, placing social workers, Ofsted and, where appropriate, the police, informed of significant events that occur. Suitable arrangements are in place to protect and promote the privacy of young people. Young people are able to lock their bedroom doors and retain their own keys. This gives them some control over who enters their bedroom and allows them to store their possessions safely. Locks on bathroom doors permit privacy whilst allowing staff to enter should there be an emergency. Policy and procedural guidance to staff alerts them to safe practices. Confidential information in stored in locked cupboards in the staff office to prevent unauthorised people from gaining access. Information held on young people is removed and archived promptly when the home is vacant. A complaints procedure is in place and young people receive their own version.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust practice is in place with copies of a complaint form and ready addressed envelopes being readily available for young people to complete. This allows them to complain directly to the responsible individual without reference if they are not confident or reassured by the response of the home. There are no recorded complaints and the Registered Manager confirms that none have been received.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff complete training in safeguarding and child protection during their induction period. Regular updates, provided by the Registered Manager during staff meetings, ensures that staff remain up to date and fully aware of reporting procedures. Copies of procedures and policies are available for them to refer to in the home if wanting clarification about the action to take.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides accommodation for just one young person, so bullying between young people is not a feature. In the event of young people being concerned about staff practice, they can raise concerns through the complaints process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home acts promptly to protect young people who are absent from the home without permission. Written guidance clearly informs staff about the action to take. There have been several incidents when young people have absented themselves from the home and records show that staff have acted in accordance with procedures. The police are informed, when considered necessary, and searches conducted of the local area to try and locate young people and ensure a safe return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour in the home is effectively managed effectively with an emphasis on rewarding good behaviour. The reward and sanctions record confirms that recognition is given to good behaviour. The number of rewards given far outweighs the number of sanctions. Staff receive training in conflict resolution to help them develop de-escalation techniques enabling them to diffuse situations without the need for physical intervention. Accreditation has been obtained with the British Institute for learning Disabilities (BILD) and written guidance produced that shows the approved holds that staff are allowed to use. There are few recorded incidents of physical restraint. Those that have taken place have been to protect young people and staff or to prevent damage to property.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Well-established systems are in place to manage environmental risks posed to children. There is routine maintenance and servicing of equipment, with fire alarm and evacuation procedures being completed at the frequency. Although some parts of the home are in need of re-decoration, these are well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust systems are also in place for assessing the suitability of staff to work with children. Confirmation of the checks completed on each member of staff is sought and retained at the home each time a young person is admitted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

As no young people are accommodated it has not been possible to obtain their views on how the home operates. In accordance with Ofsted procedures for homes where there are no children living, the home's practice is assessed as being satisfactory.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Some parts of the home, such as the young person's bedroom and the sitting room are decorated and furnished to a high standard. Other areas, such as the hall and stairs would benefit from re-decoration. The Registered Manager reported that a programme of refurbishment is being discussed prior to implementation. No environmental issues are observed that would pose a risk to children.

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Organisation

The Registered Manager said that there have been no significant changes in practice and the home’s Statement of Purpose, therefore, remains appropriate. A user- friendly version is available for children but the contents were not reviewed during this inspection.

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Organisation

Most young people are admitted from other homes within the organisation for a period of respite. Assessments are completed as children are admitted to the home and staffing arrangements made in accordance with identified need. An attempt is made to maintain consistency of care by including one member of staff from the young person's previous placement within the complement of staff. Most staff who work in the home are senior members of the organisation's staffing complement. They are experienced and trained in the company's procedures and practices. Risk assessments are completed for staff who lone work to make sure there are sufficient precautions in place to protect them and young people.

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Organisation

Monitoring processes for the running of the home and reviewing the quality of care for young people are in place. The acting manager completes monthly Regulation 34 checks and the responsible individual delegates Regulation 33 visits to managers and assistant managers from other homes within the company and these are carried out on a monthly basis. There are secure storage facilities for young people’s files.

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