Children's Home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC063689 Inspection date 11/10/2010 Inspector Caroline Wilson Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 09/02/2010 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 situated in a suburban area. It is a large detached property offering good-sized rooms throughout and a garden area to the rear. The children have access to local buses, a mainline train station and a company car by arrangement to enable them to use the local leisure facilities. The home is registered to provide care for up to six children, aged between 10 and 18, who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This key, unannounced inspection looked at how young people's needs have been met in relation to key standards as set out in the Children's Homes Regulations 2001.

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Summary

There has been significant improvements to this home since the last inspection. The individuality of young people is very important, and care plans are in place to reflect this. As such, staff have an excellent understanding of young people and this has positively impacted on behaviour management within the home.

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Summary

The home has some outstanding features, for instance each young person has a personal planning book which sets out their likes, dislikes and what their future goals are. These are discussed with young people on a regular basis and reviewed where appropriate. In addition, each young person has a booklet which evidences how their needs are being met in accordance with the five outcome groups under Every Child Matters.

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Summary

There has been a change in management in the home. This manager has significant experience of working at the home. Staff feel comfortable working with the manager who has a good knowledge of the client group as well as the operational aspects of the organisation as a whole.

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Summary

The home does not ensure that handovers are incorporated into shift patterns in order to ensure that planning of the home does not compromise the overall care of young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Significant improvements have been made to this service since the last inspection. The bullying policy has been updated to ensure that staff can effectively identify the indicators of bullying. Records of restraints and complaints are clearly recorded and evidence that these are undertaken in accordance with relevant guidelines. Safeguarding procedures have improved and now promote the safety and welfare of young people placed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people enjoy very healthy and nutritious meals from different cultures that meet their dietary needs. Young people’s food choices are taken into account, meals are homemade and reflect young people's cultural backgrounds. The staff consult with young people's families to ensure that their cultural needs are appropriately met. Staff have a good understanding of the importance of good nutrition and what makes up a balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's physical health and emotional well-being are actively promoted. Young people have easy access to community and specialist health services and are registered with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Information about how young people's general and specific health needs are met are included in comprehensive and up-to-date health plans. These plans also provide a clear picture about how their health needs are being met on a daily basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff have an excellent understanding of the full range of young people’s health needs. Staff support young people's health needs in a considerate and sensitive way. They closely monitor young people to make sure they are healthy, for instance, and monitor their individual growth on a monthly basis. Staff also encourage young people to take an active interest in looking after their own health, including the importance of good personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home’s procedures for managing medication are put into practice to ensure young people’s welfare is promoted and protected. Medication is securely stored and staff keep accurate records. Staff are competent and well trained in handling medication and first aid. They make sure that young people only have medication specifically prescribed for them and take it in line with the prescription instructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff promote young people’s dignity and respect young people's individual needs for privacy that is consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Young people have single bedrooms and accommodation provides space where young people can relax easily and spend time to be alone when they wish. Information about young people is managed confidentially and held securely in the office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff give protecting young people from harm a high priority. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding policies and how to respond to concerns about young people's safety. They know how to work effectively with safeguarding agencies to protect young people by sharing information and putting safeguarding plans into practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to complain and any concerns raised are taken seriously and addressed. Young people are encouraged to speak to staff or independent advocates if they are unhappy about any aspect of living at the home. The home also have regular discussions with significant people in the young people's lives to ensure that the home meets the individual needs of young people placed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff ensure that young people are protected from bullying by providing a good level of suitable supervision and good levels of staffing. Risk assessments are in place to ensure that any risks relating to bullying are identified and minimised. Staff work effectively with young people and lead by example in developing positive relationships with young people and to help them understand the impact that their behaviour may have on other people. Staff help young people to develop their clear expectations of how they treat, and should be treated by, their friends and families.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are very aware of young people’s vulnerability and the risks they face in the community. The home has detailed individual risk assessments and plans for what staff should do if young people go missing in accordance with relevant guidelines and procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are very good at encouraging young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour and challenge difficult behaviour constructively. Staff ensure that young people know what standards of behaviour are expected and the possible consequences of any poor behaviour. Staff view young people in a positive light and encourage acceptable behaviour by praising and rewarding them. Staff are trained in the use of restraint and use this in instances where there is likely injury to the young person, others around them and property.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe environment. Staff put into practice a comprehensive range of detailed health and safety procedures and risk assessments to protect young people. For example, staff carry out regular health and safety checks, including fire drills, in line with the regulations to ensure the premises are safe and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has suitable systems in place to ensure that visitors to the home are suitably checked and supervised to protect young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are very well-supported, they are able to talk to staff about problems and receive exceptional individual support when they need it. Young people's individual needs are clearly identified in their care plans which are put into practice effectively. There are many excellent examples of staff providing advice and support with a wide range of young people's possible needs, including fire safety, relationships, healthy lifestyles, family relationships, and life skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is actively promoted and plays an important part in the lives of young people. Young people’s educational needs are identified in detailed plans and the arrangements for meeting their needs are put into practice effectively. The home’s structured daily routine supports young people’s attendance. The home has strong links with young people’s schools and staff work effectively together to make sure young people’s learning and development needs are met. For example, staff have a book, which enables them to communicate with the school about any aspect of young people's progress on a daily basis. The home has a educational programme in place for young people who do not have an educational placement, to ensure that their needs are met in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people take part in a wide range of activities at home and in the community such as trampolining and horse riding; relevant risk assessments are in place to ensure young people are safe whilst undertaking these activities. Young people's religious needs are taken seriously and promoted. For example, staff ensure that they read religious literature with young people on a daily basis in line with young people's wishes and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home’s comprehensive records provide a detailed insight into the individual needs of young people and how their needs are being met. This provides strong evidence that staff have an excellent knowledge of young people which enables them to meet their needs and provide them with the support that they require. Staff keep detailed records about young people’s progress and experiences that show clearly how all their needs are being met on a day-to-day basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The home and placing authority review young people’s placements regularly to make sure that young people continue to get the support they need. Staff work closely with young people, their parents, and the other agencies involved in their lives to monitor their progress, take into account any changes in their lives, and identify the best way to support young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the home is run in accordance with their communication needs. They are involved in decisions, such as, what food they eat and what activities they get involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have suitable regular contact with their families that promotes and safeguards their welfare. Staff work hard to ensure that family contact is a positive experience for young people to help them maintain and build relationships. For example, staff helped young people understand the importance of contact with family members, which is undertaken in accordance with plans set out by placing authorities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff encourage young people to develop the skills they need for adult life suitable to their age and understanding. Pathway planning is set out in accordance with plans set out by placing authorities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a comfortable and homely environment that meets their needs. The house is clean, decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people's bedrooms can be personalised to reflect their interests and individual tastes. For example, young people have bedding that reflects their favourite characters.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by people with a range of skills and experience that match the needs of young people living in the home well. The numbers of staff on duty meets the needs of young people. This includes the support they need for activities, visits and appointments. However, handovers are not incorporated into shift patterns to ensure that the completion of records and the carrying out of the care programme occur without compromising the overall care of young people.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity in the home is good. Evidence supports a strong commitment to delivering equality and diversity in practice. Staff recognise young people as individuals with different needs, backgrounds, interests and views. They ensure that young people receive an individual service designed to meet their personal needs. Staff have an excellent knowledge of the young people they are working with ensuring their needs are met. The home values the rights of individuals to be different and promotes respect and dignity. This includes supporting and encouraging young people to accept and understand other young people’s needs and abilities.

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Organisation

Young people know what support they can expect from the home and how they will be looked after. The children's guide provides important information about the home in a way that is easily understood by young people. The home has a clear written statement for parents and social workers of how the home operates and plans to meet young people’s needs.

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Organisation

There is a new manager in place who shows a strong commitment to supporting young people and making every effort to ensure young people get the right support they need to make positive progress. Staff state that they feel fully supported by the manager in promoting the welfare of young people.

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Organisation

Staff feel well-supported and have a very clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They confirm that when they need support and guidance, the manager is always available and helpful. They receive one-to-one supervision regularly. Team meetings take place monthly, to allow the whole staff team to discuss the running of the home and to look at ways to improve the service they offer. Staff have access to a suitable training programme that comprehensively covers the needs of young people, and provides staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively do their jobs, including safeguarding, behaviour management and recording with care.

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Organisation

The home has good systems in place to review the quality of care provided. The provider and manager consistently monitor the running of the home every month. They identify areas for improvement and steps are taken to address the issues. For example, shortfalls in the home’s records identified at the last inspection have been successfully dealt with.

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Organisation

Young people’s records contain up-to-date information about them, including the relevant documents from placing authorities.

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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

29 ensure that the home promotes the welfare of young people accommodated there by ensuring that shift patterns incorporate allocated time for handover sessions. (Reg 11 (1) (a)) 31/03/2011

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