Children's Home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC372661 Inspection date 09/11/2010 Inspector Trevor Hall Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 02/03/2010 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

This home is a small independent children's home providing care and accommodation for one young person aged between 10 and 18 years of age. The home shares a manager with a similar care home within the same care organisation. The company has an educational centre nearby, which some of the young people it accommodates attend.

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Brief description of the service

The home is accommodated in a detached house with three bedrooms in a fairly isolated rural position in a small village near a small market town. The purpose of the home is to provide care for a single young person who has complex social and psychological needs and who may require assessment, behaviour modification or skill enhancement. Generally the home is staffed with one person on duty with the young person. However, this is under constant review and if circumstances or risk assessments suggest it is necessary, as at the time of this inspection, staffing levels are increased.

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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

This was a full unannounced inspection that concentrated on key national minimum standards. One young person was living at the home, however, they were not present during the inspection, pre-inspection questionnaires were provided and these contributed to the inspection process. The visit focused on areas relating to being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution, achieving economic well-being and how staffing and management arrangements supported the operation of the home.

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Summary

The overall judgement for this service is outstanding. The home is outstanding in four of the six outcome areas judged. Young people are being looked after by a competent well trained team of staff. The home's manager provides strong and consistent leadership that is focused on meeting young people's needs. Young people live in a very stable home and they are fully consulted about their day-to-day care and support. Staff have effective partnerships with other agencies and professionals to ensure young people receive the services they are entitled to. Young people are very happy with the home and the staff that work with them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No actions or recommendations were made at the last inspection that took place in March 2010.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home has excellent arrangements in place to make sure young people remain fit and healthy. The organisation has developed clear guidance regarding promoting and safeguarding young people's health; these are known and followed by staff working in the home. Young people's good health and well-being is being successfully promoted because staff are knowledgeable and aware of each individual young person's needs. They also have agreed plans designed to encourage healthy habits and to improve young people's self-image.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff provide healthy, nutritious meals that meet young people's dietary needs; fruit is available for the young people to help themselves to. Staff are knowledgeable regarding young people's likes and dislikes and endeavour to develop menus around this, while encouraging young people to try different foods. Young people have opportunities to contribute to the planning and preparation of meals within the home with the assistance of staff especially as part of developing their skills for later life. In addition, they also enjoy a variety of foods that reflect diverse cultures and traditions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging healthy activities and diet. Staff encourage young people to be actively involved in their health promotion. For example, talking to young people about the risks of smoking, alcohol and illegal substances. Referrals to external specialist agencies are made when further support is needed for the young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's medication is managed safely by the staff team. The home's records reflect that medication is being administered according to prescription and labelling instructions. Staff practice is underpinned by first aid and medication training which helps to improve the knowledge of the team and awareness regarding their responsibilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people continue to receive excellent care and support that promotes and safeguards their welfare. Staff are confident and able to understand their role and level of responsibility in terms of child protection and safeguarding practice. Operational policies, procedures and staff guidance are used effectively to promote young people's safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and confidentially is respected by all staff. Staff are sensitive and aware of the need to only disclose or share information that is needed to meet young people's needs. The manager of the home has an active focus on community relationships to ensure the home maintains a harmonious presence in the local area. Staff and young people know that unwanted behaviour of any kind is not tolerated and will be challenged. This makes this home a safe and comfortable place to live because expectations about behaviour and conduct are clearly communicated in a way that has a positive affect on young people. Young people are able to raise concerns and complaints with staff through a well-advertised complaints procedure. Young people know how to use this procedure and feel confident in the ability of the home to listen and act on what they have to say.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding is the paramount priority within the home; it influences everything that is undertaken within the home. Young people are provided with appropriate levels of staffing. A key success of the home is the way in which staff are able to engage with young people about matters that are significant to their safety and protection. Important areas are covered that are part of the home's approach to managing risks and raising young people's awareness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of triggers, which may result in a young person absenting themselves from the home. Staff respond appropriately to instances of young people going absent without authority and work closely with other agencies to minimise any risk. Records of unauthorised absences are kept and monitored by the manager.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are vigilant with regard to all relationships and take action if bullying is suspected. The home's records comprehensively evidence that staff engage with young people frequently about matters that relate to their behaviour and conduct. There is a positive approach taken by staff, they are clear about social and behavioural boundaries that are expected but equally they are clear about each young person's needs and how they learn about what is and is not acceptable. As a result, staff are patient and mindful of their responsibilities to educate and focus on acceptable and improving behaviours that can be rewarded and praised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safe procedures are in place to protect young people from fire and prevention systems are regularly tested and serviced. Staff and young people undertake fire drills in excess of what is required. Regular servicing and maintenance is completed on all gas and electrical equipment. Certificates of Public and Employer liability insurance are displayed as required and all certificates and health and safety records are up-to-date and well maintained. Young people's home environment is monitored well and is very safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's protection is also very well promoted through safe recruitment, selection and vetting practices for all new staff. The service has a clearly defined system in place that ensures all necessary checks have been completed and are acceptable prior to any new staff member starting work in the home. A written record of this process is maintained for inspection and is followed in respect of all staff currently employed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are provided with a wide range of support that is tailored to help each individual in their daily lives and future plans. This is because staff get to know young people very well and this helps them to develop supportive, caring relationships that are based on individual needs. Young people are encouraged to freely express their wishes and requirements and this forms part of the home's daily routines. This results in staff providing very flexible support that is shaped to suit each young person's circumstances.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's well-being is promoted as they are allocated a key worker who is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the young person’s programme of care and support. Records also take account of potential needs in relation to a young person's diversity such as identity, race, culture and religion. Staff operate in a non- discriminatory way and understand the importance of promoting social inclusion and the need to challenge any form of discrimination. The manager is continually assessing risks to determine levels of staff supervision and free time away from the home. These assessments help staff to individualise how each young person is supported to progress and develop.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are supported to access and attend various community based activities and venues according to their own choices and preferences. Staff keenly support young people to develop their own interests and hobbies to promote their personal development and growth. Young people are supported, when necessary, to access specialist external services to ensure all their identified needs are being met. The home's manager reviews and updates assessments so staff are aware of agreed actions to reduce potential risks to young people, staff and others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's care and support is also clearly focused on their overall plan of care, matching the placing authorities aims and objectives in relation to future plans and placements. The home's manager and staff have a strong focus on organising themselves around young people and their needs which supports improving outcomes for each individual.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's education is promoted through the home's education policy. It clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of residential staff in relation to school attendance and learning. Records demonstrate that staff are working in partnership with teachers to support an education timetable that includes academic and vocational activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular house meetings and key worker sessions are used to review current activities and explore new ones. The home has good transport provision which meets the needs of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are actively encouraged and supported to have their say about the care and support they receive as well as day-to-day arrangements and routines of the home. Conversations about these areas are frequent and demonstrate the home's commitment to involve young people through a range of different consultation methods. Young people's views are treated as being important and they are able to influence the way in which the home is managed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff make sure young people's needs are assessed and recorded in individual in- house placement plans to ensure that their needs and any required support are identified and addressed. Staff use the information gathered to develop individual placement objectives in conjunction with the young people, so that all parties are clear as to what work needs undertaking. This good practice enables young people, with support from staff, to identify their progress and agree the goals to be attempted. The home's manager is proactive with young people's placing social workers and is robust in identifying any shortfalls in service provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Placement plans are continually reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant and that where necessary tasks can be amended to meet the needs of the young people. Case files confirm that the young people's progress is reviewed within the statutory time periods. Young people are encouraged to attend and fully participate in these reviews. Staff from the home prepare detailed reports for each statutory review so that informed decisions can be made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's records demonstrate that staff are flexible and innovative in their approaches to managing young people's behaviours and in promoting positive outcomes. Staff attend regular in-house meetings to record and update each young person's general progress. Monthly reports are completed by key workers and the home prepares chronological reports to keep placing authorities informed. Placement plans include summarised health and education plan details.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Wherever possible and appropriate, the home strives to forge positive relationships with young people's parents, family members and friends. Young people are supported to maintain contact with their family, where there are no restrictions. Arrangements for contact are clearly recorded and staff monitor contact in line with these arrangements.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people receive adequate allowances to cover personal requisites and clothing and are well informed about their entitlements due to good arrangements and systems in place to manage allowances, personal needs and pocket money. The care team are responsible for ensuring young people maintain an appropriate stock of essential clothing. Once these are established and maintained, the young people are at liberty to save their money for special items of choice. Pocket money is clearly recorded and paid to young people on a weekly basis.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people living at this home are appropriately supported to prepare for leaving the home whether this is to return home, to alternative carers or to move into independent living. Young people, when appropriate, are provided with properly constituted pathway plans, agreed by the placing authorities which give focus to preparing young people to appropriately leave the home. Preparation for leaving care and acquiring the skills for successful semi-independent living are an integral part of the care packages provided by the home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a well-furnished property with good domestic style facilities. The home is located in a rural location some short distance from a small market town and has good access to all local amenities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Overall, this is a homely and comfortable care setting which is decorated and furnished to a very good standard which creates a pleasant living environment. The home provides the right environment to ensure the social and personal needs of each young person are being met.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

A programme of maintenance and repair is ongoing, however, this does not impact on the care young people receive. There are good systems in place that recognise maintenance issues and those with health and safety implications are rectified as a priority with evidence that demonstrates the owners invest generously in the home.

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Organisation

Young people live in a well managed home where they are consistently supported to achieve clearly defined outcomes that are outlined in individual plans of care. The home's manager provides effective and professional leadership through practical day- to-day contact and supervision of the staff team. Information about the home's operation is clearly reflected in the Statement of Purpose. The young person's guide also provides the right information in a readable format that describes what can be expected from the home.

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Organisation

Young people are cared for by an experienced, well trained, diverse and competent team who are all qualified to the necessary level consistent with their role and responsibilities. Young people are consistently cared for by the same group of staff which is a real strength of the home's operation. This results in all staff being very familiar and knowledge about each young person's needs. Care and support is to a consistently high standard.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Staff are provided with clear guidance about anti-discriminatory practice and how this is translated into the daily operation of the home. The service provides an environment where differences are acknowledged and prejudice or discrimination on any grounds is actively challenged.

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Organisation

The home's manager has clear processes in place to monitor, audit and evaluate the quality of care being provided. In addition, external monitoring visits are carried out by senior staff who provide information about the home's operation. Parents and placing social workers are also provided with ways of expressing their views and opinions about the care young people receive. Young people have dedicated records that are stored safely and securely. The records reflect the necessary information needed to evidence each young person's care, support, progress and development.

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