Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Walsall

Unique reference number SC038526 Inspection date 29/09/2010 Inspector Jacqui Gosling Type of inspection Key

p.1

Date of last inspection 24/02/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is one of the two detached bungalows operating as children's homes on the same site. The premises are situated at the far end of a cul-de-sac in a residential area. The home provides personal care for five young people of either sex from 12 to under 18 years of age, with sensory impairment, physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home provides short-term respite care, with each young person staying up to a maximum of 28 days on each visit.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The ground floor of the premises has suitable aids and adaptations to meet the needs of children and young people with a disability. The first floor is only accessible by stairs and provides an office, staff facilities and a bedroom for children who are mobile. At the rear of the bungalow is a private, enclosed and landscaped garden. There is off-road parking for staff and visitors.

p.4

Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This was a full key unannounced inspection that concentrated on all key national minimum standards. The inspection focused on areas related to health needs, keeping young people safe and how individual support is provided. The inspection also concentrated on how the provision consults with young people, how they support them with leisure activities and how staffing and management arrangements support the operation of the service.

p.4

Summary

The home is judged as outstanding. The staff provide a very high level of care to support young people's complex health needs and effectively support them to communicate their views and opinions. Young people enjoy their short breaks and benefit from a staff team who are skilled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. As a result, young people receive stimulating and purposeful short-break care that is also fun.

p.4

Summary

One shortfall was identified in relation to ensuring the children's guide contains all required information.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

No actions or recommendations were made during the last inspection that took place in February 2010.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

As this is a short-break service parents retain primary responsibility for their children's health care. Staff ensure that parents provide them with the information necessary to effectively promote the health and well-being of young people using the service. Staff are proactive in promoting all aspects of health and are aware of the necessity of being alert to any medical conditions and health needs This is clearly recorded in the plans that are in place for each young person. Accident records are well maintained and monitored by the manager. The home has effective measures in place to minimise the risk of infection.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people benefit from tasty, nutritious meals freshly prepared by the cook or members of staff. Time is spent during the admission process to ensure children and their families are given the opportunity to discuss any special dietary needs and individual likes and dislikes. Menus are planned taking into account the identified needs of the young people in residence during that week. Young people's profiles identify what level of support is required at mealtimes. These documents support staff in providing individual approaches to each young person. Records are made of the food and drink consumed in order to inform parents. Meal times are often social occasions, staff and young people sit together for their meals and support is provided by staff when required.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people are protected by the systems and policies in place for the safe administration, storage and disposal of medications. This is because staff know which medicines each child has as the home keeps a complete and clear record of all medication. Two senior members of staff complete the checks and administer the medication to ensure young people's health needs are fully protected. The home has good guidance, facilities and resources to ensure that medication is correctly stored. Staff's competence to administer medication is continually assessed, ensuring that the excellent practice continues to meet the high standards that promote young people's well-being.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The systems in place to promote the safety and welfare of young people is good. Staff are provided with a good range of policies that specifically address counteracting bullying; unauthorised absence; complaints; behaviour management and health and safety.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the need to respect young people's rights to privacy and dignity which are balanced with the need to offer them the protection and safety they require. Young people require various forms of care and support, including help to meet various aspects of their intimate and physical needs. The home is proactive in ensuring they obtain consent for these procedures. This includes giving thought to the young people's gender and the gender of the staff member providing the intimate care. Young people's records are kept secure and staff understand the need to keep their information confidential as well as being clear about the limits of confidentiality.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and their parents receive clear information about how they can make a complaint through the Statement of Purpose, and the young person's guide which includes picture symbols on how to complain. However, the young people's ability to register concerns or complain about being unhappy can sometimes be limited. Staff build up a good understanding of their moods and feelings and can act as an advocate to ensure that any concerns or issues that they become aware of are dealt with appropriately. The staff team work hard to enable parents to discuss any worries on an informal basis and there have been no complaints since the last inspection. There is also a record of thanks from parents and young people, reporting positive experiences of their stay.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff understand their role in ensuring that young people's welfare is promoted and protected at all times. This is because staff are provided with good guidance and procedures that reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. All staff have received refresher training on child protection and safeguarding. One parent commented, 'I know they are in safe hands when he is there.'

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although, none of the young people have the ability to be out in the community on their own, the manager has been proactive in liaising with the local police. This ensures they are familiar with the complex needs of the young people, should staff need support with the young people whilst they are in the community. The local police liaison team also joined the home in some communication aid training to enhance their skills in communicating with the young people when they visit the home. This is excellent liaison with other agencies to ensure young people are kept safe.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is always positively managed. Staff always treat young people with respect. They learn about good behaviour through positive praise and appropriate rewards. Young people have many opportunities for constructive activities and have support from staff to release any frustrations and anger. Staff always show empathy and concern and help young people to develop more appropriate and acceptable behaviour. Staff receive training in the use of care and control.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This short break service provides young people with an excellent level of physical safety and security. Positive steps are taken to ensure that young people, staff and visitors are safe from the risk of fire and other hazards. Systems are in place for the regular checking and servicing of fire safety and detection equipment. There is a range of risk assessments for on and off site activities, the environment and individual young people; these are regularly reviewed. The implementation of the staff recruitment procedure is robust and ensures that only suitable staff work with the children and young people. All visitors to the home are asked to sign the visitor book and are continually monitored.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are given outstanding individualised support that is planned to match their needs and wishes. Young people identified as having particular needs receive the help, guidance and support needed. All of the young people are provided with a named key worker who has regular contact with their parent or social worker.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff have a highly evolved understanding of young people's needs and abilities. Young people really benefit because they are developing their interests and hobbies. Staff are capturing this through the use of photographs and through the comments and feedback from children, parents, carers and social workers. Staff are highly accomplished because they have comprehensive information about the young people's conditions and their resulting needs. Staff know what they can do to provide effective support. One social worker commented, 'young people get every opportunity to experience a variety of activities and experiences.'

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff recognise that the cultural, religious and gender needs of young people are diverse and require support. The staff build strong relationships with the young people. This supports staff to give the right help to young people to meet their individual needs.

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people enjoy a range of activities in-house such as; a sensory room, soft play, games and puzzles, musical instruments, art and craft, music and television. The secure garden has a trampoline, swings, and many outdoor toys. There are plenty of off-site activities as the service has a minibus. Young people enjoy trips to parks, beaches, walks and the cinema to name but a few. There are display boards around the home showing what activities the young people have participated in during their stay. This is then placed in a diary to share with parents. There are clear risk assessments in place for all activities and young people enjoy their stay. Parents comments include '…really enjoys it there'. 'The home has become a big part of our lives'. 'Staff make his stay really special.'

p.7

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

As the home is a short-term break facility it has no direct responsibility for the education of young people that attend for respite. But staff feel it is important to maintain good links with the schools and on occasions key workers visit the young people's schools. They speak with their class teacher, school staff and other specialist educational staff if this is deemed appropriate and with the parent’s agreement. Staff also use the schools positive handling plans for some young people. This is an example of excellent liaison with other agencies.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Admissions to the unit are planned with the needs of the young person leading the process. Photographs and picture symbols are available to explain the routines and facilities available. Key information is gathered from parents, school and medical practitioners to inform their profiles. Individual needs are identified and care planning states how those needs will be met during their stay. The plan addresses any issues that arise out of the young person's ethnicity, race, disability, sexuality, faith or belief. All young people are allocated a key worker and their role is fundamental to ensuring that care plans are kept under review as circumstances change. One parent stated 'I am impressed that the staff are as aware of his likes and dislikes as I am'.

p.8

Helping children make a positive contribution

The making of choices and views of young people are sought on an individual basis as they each have unique communication skills. A great deal of work has been carried out to further develop ways of communicating which is effective and meaningful to the young people. Photo diaries have been put in place for each child to enable them to contribute to their reviews and to aid all communication and this is an area that is being continually developed, this is outstanding practice.

p.8

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's reviews are taking place at regular intervals which are chaired by the placing authority. Where it is appropriate young people participate in their review meetings. Key workers prepare a report prior to the review that is shared about the child's experience of accessing the service.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is warm and comfortable. The décor is welcoming and there is good disability access and facilities. For example, a hydraulic bath with shower and bath chair; a wet room for wheelchair access for showering; cot side beds with bumpers which are high or low adjustable; ceiling track hoists/manual hoist; ramp access to all entrance and exit routes; shuffle boards and slide sheets to ensure young people are looked after safely and properly.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

There is sufficient space to accommodate creative and physical activities within the home. The gardens are well maintained, safe and offer sufficient space for outside activities. The staff group make it a stimulating and interactive environment for young people by growing vegetables, which are sometimes served at mealtimes. They also keep chickens and a rabbit. Young people enjoy collecting the eggs for their breakfasts.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Children have single bedrooms that staff personalise with their own belongings when they arrive. Children can bring in their own toys and posters. The dining and living rooms are also child centred with children's artwork and pictures being displayed throughout the home.

p.8

Organisation

Children and young people are benefiting from a well-organised and managed home which is having a positive impact on the outcomes for children, young people and their families. The home has guidance and procedures for staff and has established systems in place to monitor the operation of the home and to improve the quality of care. These systems include regular visits from representatives of the organisation through to the manager's own monitoring activities.

p.9

Organisation

The home has a Statement of Purpose and children's guide which provides accurate information about the home's goals, ethos and working methods. These give children and parents good information about the service they will receive. However, the children's guide does not contain information on how a child can secure access to an independent advocate or how to make a complaint to other agencies.

p.9

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. The home recognises the different needs of children and young people and provides individualised support to reflect these different needs. Staff are skilled at supporting children and young people with disabilities to fully participate in and outside the home, so they can lead enjoyable lives. The home makes good efforts to meet children and young people's diverse needs and provide them with equality of opportunity to achieve their aspirations.

p.9

Organisation

Children are cared for by a competent staff team, with experienced senior care staff leading each shift. Staff complete the National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Working with Children and Young People and undertake a wide range of mandatory and specific training to meet the complex needs of the children they care for. The home is appropriately staffed and there are clear lines of accountability in the home, with clear deputising arrangements in the absence of the Registered Manager.

p.9

Organisation

The home maintains good quality records. Young people's files are well organised and provide a full record of the children and young people's time at the home. The records reflect the individuality of each child and young person.

p.9

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.9

Recommendations

 ensure the children's guide contains information on how a child can secure access to an independent advocate and about how to make a complaint (NMS 1.3)

p.9