Children's Home run by Care Haven (UK) Limited in Stockport

Unique reference number SC065374 Inspection date 29/11/2010 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 10/08/2010 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

This children's home is a detached house on a housing estate near to the centre of a large town. It is close to all local public amenities including shops, leisure facilities and schools. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people aged from 7 to 17 years.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection considered two outcome areas, staying safe and organisation. Two young people were present during the inspection.

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Summary

This is a good home where young people's safety and welfare is paramount and where staff strive to improve outcomes for them. Individualised care is evident and young people benefit from a consistent staff group who work together to find the best ways to support them, under the effective leadership of the deputy manager. Quality assurance and monitoring systems inform the improvement agenda.

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Summary

One action has been raised as the home has not had a Registered Manager for a short period. A recommendation has been made in respect of some records in young people's case files.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has acted on the one recommendation made at the last inspection and has extended their training programme to meet Appendix 2 of the national minimum standards and the needs of the young people resident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected and information is confidentially handled. Staff promote mutual respect and knock on bedroom doors before entering. Young people can make telephone calls, talk to staff and see visitors in private. They are informed about the room search policy but there have been no occasions where this has been necessary. Confidential information is securely stored in the staff office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies, procedures and practices in respect of safeguarding, bullying, complaints and absence without authority serve to protect the young people. They are informed of their right to complain in young people's meetings and in their guide to the home. Complaints have been handled appropriately and complainants receive written responses. The welfare of children is well promoted and key working sessions address individual's vulnerabilities. Social workers are informed of any concerns or incidents in a timely manner and all relevant people have been notified about significant events. Staff discuss risks and safety issues and maintain appropriate levels of supervision to the benefit of the young people. Young people are informed of their right not to be bullied and staff address any issues at an early stage, for example, minor name calling is challenged. Young people who are absent without authority are protected as far as is possible. Full records are maintained which

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

demonstrate that all appropriate people have been informed and that young people are seen by someone outside of the home on return. Where there have been concerns, meetings with the local police co-ordinator have taken place to discuss strategies to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive behaviour management is evident and young people are encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own behaviour. They respond positively to the reward systems in place and are achieving their goals. Few sanctions have been imposed and these are fair and reasonable and of short duration. Physical intervention is used only to protect young people, or others, as a last resort. Records are maintained and young people are invited to sign and add their comments. Staff are trained in behaviour management and demonstrate insight and understanding of the reasons for young people's behaviour. Young people benefit from consistency of care achieved by clear behaviour management planning and discussion of strategies which ensures that staff support them in the most appropriate ways.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The house provides physical safety and security, checks are carried out regularly and all the young people have had the opportunity to practice leaving the building during fire drills. There is a system in place to record all visitors for the safety of the young people. A range of comprehensive, individualised risk assessments serve to safeguard their welfare. They contain specific strategies to reduce or minimise risks and are updated, when necessary, to provide effective guidance to staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no new staff recruited since the last inspection when the procedures were found to be appropriate in safeguarding young people.

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Organisation

The home's Statement of Purpose reflects the services provided. The young people's guide has been revised in consultation with the young people and contains all the required information in both written and pictorial formats. There is a facility for translation to other languages should this be needed to make it accessible to young people for whom English is not their first language.

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Organisation

There are sufficient staff with a range of skills and experience to provide good quality care to the young people resident. They are committed to improving outcomes for young people and work co-operatively, with good communication, to provide consistency and continuity of care. Bank staff, who are known to the young people, are used occasionally to provide cover. Staff are regularly supervised and well supported, and staff meetings take place monthly. The deputy manager and staff group value training opportunities, which have been extended, and include courses to enhance their abilities to meet the needs of specific young people. The home has been without a Registered Manager for the last four weeks, and the company has put appropriate temporary arrangements in place for the support of the deputy manager. Staff were positive about the deputy manager's leadership and support.

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Organisation

The functioning of the home has continued to be monitored by the deputy manager who takes action to remedy any issues which arise. Visits under Regulation 33 are taking place each month and comprehensive reports are compiled. The home has a development plan to guide their improvement agenda. The home is well managed and efficiently run.

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Organisation

Young people's files mostly contain full information and reflect their progress. The use of vague and imprecise language results in lack of clarity in some records. The deputy manager has begun to address recording issues and a course has been arranged in the near future for all staff.

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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

34 ensure that an individual is appointed to manage the home. (Regulation 7) 31/03/2011

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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 that each child has a full and accurate record of their history and progress. (NMS 35.1)

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