Children's Home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

Unique reference number SC038500 Inspection date 24/11/2010 Inspector Linda Brown Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 08/03/2010 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 a detached house located close to the centre of the town. It is near to a range of local facilities and has good transport links to other parts of the borough. The home accommodates up to four children of both genders, who are aged between eight years and 13 years.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor there is an office, kitchen, dining room, lounge, study room and toilet. The first floor has four children’s bedrooms, a bedroom for staff, an office, two bathrooms and a separate toilet. The basement provides storage space, the laundry and a playroom which leads onto the patio area. Three children are currently living at the home.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced visit was to monitor the home’s performance against the key standards in the national minimum standards for children’s homes. All key standards have been inspected along with standard 15, which relates to leisure, and standard 28, which relates to staff support. The Registered Manager staff and young people were present during the inspection. Pre-inspection information was provided by the Registered Manager and questionnaires were received from staff and young people.

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Summary

This inspection found outcomes for children are outstanding and the service meets and exceeds many of the national minimum standards. The home is well managed and staff are supported, experienced and trained. Children receive excellent support, health provision, leisure opportunities and access to education. Staff work in close partnership with families and professionals in order to provide a consistent service for young people. There are good relationships between children and staff and behaviour is managed well. There is an excellent structure and consistency to the care provided at the home and management and staff are totally committed to raising standards in order to provide better outcomes for the children in their care. Some of the information in the children’s guide is out of date, but this does not impact on the otherwise excellent care experienced by the children. One recommendation is made against the outcome area of organisation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation was made at the previous inspection regarding the Regulation 33 visits: 'The Regulation 33 visitor should ensure that the statutory books examined during the visit are signed and dated' This recommendation was actioned immediately and evidence is available that appropriate practice now takes place. The commitment to improving practice and to promptly addressing any areas of concern promotes the safety and welfare of young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

There is a large and comfortable dining room where children and staff sit together socially to enjoy their meals in a relaxed and informal way. Children speak positively about the quality and choices of the meals provided. They are given the opportunity to discuss their likes and dislikes and take an active role in the planning of the menus. The home caters for younger children; staff encourage and support age appropriate activities with regard to food preparation, cooking and shopping. The children benefit from having a cook who is keen to promote healthy living and provide them with a balanced diet with an emphasis on fresh and home made food. The cook ensures that young people are provided with a variety of food and has access to recourses in order to provide a range of cultural dishes. Special diets and cultural dishes are catered for. The home achieved four stars for the ‘scores on doors’ environmental health award for good health and hygiene. The cook is now

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Helping children to be healthy

working towards the bronze award. All staff are trained in basic food hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Excellent systems are in place to ensure that the health needs of children are identified and met. Detailed health plans are maintained and staff ensure that children have access to a range of professionals for both routine and specialist services in order to support their individual needs. The Registered Manager and staff promote and support a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of their day to day work. For example, personal hygiene, healthy eating and leisure activities. In addition to the mandatory training staff complete specialist training in areas, such as, sexual health and child development. This enables staff to have a good understanding of the needs of the children and ensures that appropriate support is provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff guidance and detailed systems are provided to ensure that the safe handling, disposal and administration of medication takes place. A separate locked room and suitable cabinets are provided to ensure that medication is appropriately and securely stored. All staff who administer medication are trained and records show that administration sheets are appropriately completed and regularly monitored. This practice ensures that children's health is safeguarded as staff are competent and fully aware of the appropriate procedures to follow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the need to treat the children with respect and dignity. Confidential information is stored and shared appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children state that they would tell staff if they are unhappy about any one or anything. Children feel that staff listen to their concerns and are confident that they will address them. An independent advocate is a regular visitor to the home and will pursue any concern on the children’s behalf if necessary. In addition the provider has a complaints department which deals with and responds to any complaints made. There are very few complaints received, however, should a complaint be received appropriate records and outcomes are maintained and monitored. The Registered Manager also maintains records of any compliments received. Very complimentary letters are recorded from social workers and relief staff praising the commitment and dedication of the management and staff. All senior staff are trained in complaints procedures and the remainder of the staff have either completed or are scheduled to attend the complaints training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Child protection training is provided to all staff working at the home including domestic staff and the cook. Care staff progress to level two child protection training to enable them to have a greater knowledge and understanding of the children in their care. The manager has good links with the safeguarding board and all the necessary documents and procedures are available for staff guidance. Staff are aware of this guidance and how to access the safeguarding and whistle blowing policies. Staff provide age appropriate support for the children to develop their own awareness and skills to protect themselves when out in the community. They have a good knowledge and understanding of the need to protect children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management and staff are very active in prompting an anti oppressive and anti bullying atmosphere at the home. Children are fully aware that this behaviour will not be tolerated and are confident that any concerns raised are dealt with. Children stated that they feel safe and that staff immediately challenge any inappropriate comments or behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home caters for younger children who are closely supervised. There are very few incidents of children going absent without authority from this home. However, staff are clear of the process to follow in the event of a child going missing. Risk assessments are in place and children would be immediately reported to the police due to their age and vulnerability. Systems are in place to ensure that appropriate records are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It is evident that the staff form positive relationships with the children who clearly trust and believe staff are there to help them. Staff ensure that they have a good understanding of the needs of the children they care for and this relationship and knowledge enables them to work closely with the children and manage some difficult and challenging behaviours at times. Staff complete detailed behaviour plans which are closely linked to individual risk assessments. Staff manage behaviours well; they are consistent in their approach and children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and the consequences if they break the rules. Children talk with enthusiasm about the reward system and how they have been successful in earning rewards. Restraints are used as a last resort and staff actively use de-escalation and diversionary strategies to resolve situations. Young people commented that the rules

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

were fair and one young person stated: ‘Sometimes the staff have to hold us to keep us safe or to stop us hurting someone’ Staff spend time with the children discussing their behaviours and explaining the reasons why staff react as they do. All staff are trained in physical intervention with an emphasis on the diffusion of the situation. Records of sanctions and restraints are maintained in line with the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Manager and Regulation 33 visitor monitor these records closely. The Registered Manager will discuss the event with staff and ammend any sanction she feels are inappropriate. This practice ensures that the children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive the appropriate training in health and safety and fire issues. Health and safety records are well-organised. There are regular checks maintained on the equipment in the home. Fire drills are held on a regular basis. Risk assessments are kept up to date. Monitoring of the records take place through the manager's Regulation 34 checks and Regulation 33 visits, any concerns found are immediately addressed. These measures ensure that young people are protected from physical harm arising from their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A sample of recruitment files for staff employed in the provider’s five children's homes were examined at the Human Resources department during July 2010. Records are well maintained of staff Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and a system to ensure that they are renewed every three years is in place. Recruitment files contain relevant information, however, some concerns were identified during this visit regarding the verification of references and the inconsistencies in filing information. An action plan received from the provider addressed all the concerns raised. The Registered Manager is also able to demonstrate the action taken to address the shortfalls and is actively involved and trained in the recruitment process. All visitors to the home are signed in and where appropriate identification is requested. The provider ensures that the recruitment policy is effectively implemented and this protects and safeguards young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The management and staff provide excellent support to ensure that young people in the home have their specific needs met. Children’s files provide detailed documentation to evidence the range of support services provided to them. In-house placement plans identify individual needs and staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that these are addressed. The excellent relationships between staff and children enable staff to have a good understanding of the moods and behaviours of the children and therefore adapt the care to cater for the individual. In addition to the external services and professionals involved, the staff remain committed to ensuring that they provide young people with support in their day-to-day lives. Key worker sessions take place regularly in an informal and relaxed way to give the children the opportunity to share their views and wishes and discuss any worries or concerns they may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The manager is committed to ensuring that all young people in her care are provided with an appropriate education provision. She is confident to challenge decisions being made by other professionals if she believes that they are not in the best interest of the child. Staff have established good working relationships with schools and maintain regular contact and communication with them. In addition to the routine contact staff attend meetings and productions at the schools. Where appropriate families are also encouraged and supported to attend. Education is promoted and children are supported to complete their homework each evening. Children visit the library regularly and talk with enthusiasm about the books they read and the bedtime stories that staff read to them. Children are aware of the daily routine in place if they were excluded from school. Children are expected to get up and dressed into their school uniforms. Work provided by the school is completed

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with staff until the end of the school day. All children living at the home attend an education placement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are excellent leisure opportunities for the children. Children befit from a range of age appropriate activities and in addition to supporting their individual interests, such as, karate, guides, football, clarinet lessons and choir attendance. The staff are motivated and keen to get the children out and about and enjoy the pleasures of the country side, for example, walking, bike riding and fishing as well as organised activities and theme parks. Both staff and children speak positively of their recent half term holidays in Cornwall and Blackpool and they enjoyed sharing their experiences along with the photographs of their time away. Activities are planned to cater for the age range of the children and their individual choices. Special events ,such as, birthdays, Halloween, Christmas and Diwali are all celebrated. Children enjoy a range of activities at the home and there is a large garden with swings and a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

trampoline. The children have access to a range of equipment and facilities such as, art and craft, board games, computer games, a football game and outdoor equipment. All children have a memory box that is maintained by the staff with all significant photographs and achievements. Copies of the contents are also given to the children but the memory box is kept for when it is time for them to move on from the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Detailed and robust placement plans are then completed to cover all aspects of young people’s lives and identify how their needs will be met. These include any additional services and support that arise out of a young person's ethnicity, race, disability, sexuality, faith or belief. It is evident that children have excellent relationships with the staff, they are relaxed and happy with each other and children are confident to discuss issues with staff. There is a great sense of fun at the home and children enjoy discussing the activities they are involved in but also trust and feel safe with staff. Key workers spend time with the children and explain the routine of the home at a pace and level they will understand. A strength of this home is the level of time that staff spend with the children. Staff are committed to ensuring that children understand what is happening and give them the opportunity to share their views and wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a good knowledge and understanding of their plans and are encouraged to take an active role in the decisions being made about their lives. However, staff are also mindful of the ages of the children and although they are open with them they are also protective towards them ensuring that difficult decisions are discussed in an age appropriate way. Statutory reviews take place regularly and where appropriate children are supported to attend part or all of their reviews.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements are made at the time of admission and any restrictions are clearly recorded. Staff have a good knowledge of the restrictions in place. Arrangements are reviewed and updated regularly. The management and staff work closely with families and significant others and value the importance of maintaining this contact. Children have a good understanding of the arrangements, they have planners in their bedrooms so they can see exactly when the contact is booked.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The atmosphere at the home is relaxed and it is evident that the children have opportunities to get involved in the day-to-day living arrangements at the home. Due to the age range of the children house meetings have not proved to be very successful, however, regular consultation takes place with the children, meal times are social occasions where ideas and suggestions are made and key worker sessions take place regularly. Staff spend a significant amount of time talking to and consulting with the children in an informal way.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children are provided with the right support when they move in or leave the home. The Registered Manager ensures that all relevant information is gathered prior to admission. The Registered Manager then assesses the needs of the child to ensure that the home is able to offer the appropriate support in addition to considering the needs of the other children at the home. Where possible introductory visits take place.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children are too young for completing pathway plans for planning for independence. However, independence skills are developed at age appropriate levels. Moves out of the home are well planned providing children with introductory visits and preparing them for the move. Memory boxes are completed during their time at the home and given to the children when they move on.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is clean and comfortable providing a warm and homely atmosphere. Work is currently being undertaken to improve facilities at the home. The bathroom has recently been refurbished and the children’s lounge is in the process of being redecorated and refurbished. New furniture has been ordered. Plans to refurbish the kitchen are in place but have been postponed until after Christmas to reduce the impact on the home. Young people have their own bedrooms which are personalised to reflect their interests and personalities.

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Organisation

All key standards in this outcome area are met to an excellent standard which promotes and safeguards the welfare of young people.

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Organisation

A recently reviewed Statement of Purpose provides prospective young people, their families and placing authorities with up-to-date information about the home. A child friendly handbook is available in draft form, however, some of the information is out of date for example the age range of the children living at the home and the contact details still state the Commission of Social Care Inspection.

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Organisation

Rotas provide adequate cover in line with the children risk assessments and identify the senior staff on each shift. An out-of-hours emergency service is in place and staff confirm that there is always a manager available if advice or support is required. The home benefits from a stable and consistent staff team. A strength of the home is the consistent approach and structure that staff provide for the children. The Registered Manager is committed to ensure that this consistency is not compromised at times of staffing difficulties by using relief staff who do not know the children. Relief staff who cover in times of difficulty have all worked at the home and are on shift with permanent staff to ensure that unforeseen staff shortages cause minimal disruptions to the children’s routines.

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Organisation

It is evident that the staff have an overwhelming respect for the Registered Manager, they feel totally supported by her and feel confident that they can approach her at any time if they have a query or concern. They believe that she is totally committed to improving and developing their practice in order to provide a better service for the children. Staff meetings take place on a regular basis and give staff the opportunity to discuss their practice and any issues they may have in order to provide a consistent approach to the children. Records show that staff receive regular supervisions in line with the National Minimum Standards.

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Organisation

The Registered Manager is experienced, qualified and motivated to continually develop the skills of both the team and herself. Training records are monitored to ensure that training is up to date. Staff speak positively of the quality of the training provided and the opportunities available to them. A detailed induction programme is in place and once completed staff go on to achieve their National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Children and Young People at level 3. The majority of the staff have completed or are in the final stages of completing their NVQ award at level 3. Senior staff that do not currently hold the National Vocational Qualification at level 4 are due to enrol on training in January 2011. Young people benefit from a staff team who are well supported and committed to regularly attending training to update and improve their knowledge and practice.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Young people benefit from living in a home where they are cared for by a diverse staff team. The Registered Manager and staff are committed to meeting the different needs of each young person. Discriminatory attitudes are challenged and cultural differences are supported and celebrated.

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Organisation

There are robust systems in place to monitor the daily lives of the young people currently living in the home. The Registered Manager completes detailed monthly monitoring reports covering all aspects of the home. As part of this process she checks all the statutory books and where required, takes the appropriate action to address any issues. Regulation 33 visits are undertaken monthly to monitor the overall care and welfare of the young people. The Registered Manager responds immediately to any actions raised from these visits. Copies of the reports are forwarded to Ofsted.

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Organisation

The young people's records are well organised, easily accessible and securely stored. They hold all of the required information including looked after children documentation, individual placement plans and risk assessments. Any outstanding information is requested promptly by the Registered Manager.

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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 the children's guide to the home is reviewed in order to provide children with up to date information in an age appropriate format (NMS 1.3).

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