Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC412476 Inspection date 13/12/2010 Inspector David Coulter Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 03/09/2010 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 offers small group living to four young people with learning disabilities. It is located in a suburban setting on the outskirts of a city on the south coast. The home, a detached chalet bungalow, has been extended and refurbished to meet the requirements of a residential home. All young people are accommodated in their own rooms. The home lies in close proximity to a number of local amenities and bus routes.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced inspection assessed the key national minimum standards for children's homes. Particular attention was paid to the outcomes for young people in key areas such as being healthy and staying safe. During the course of the inspection a full tour of the building was undertaken. A wide range of records and documents were also examined and discussions held with a number of staff. Both young people were also met and spoken with.

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Summary

As the home has only been operational for three months, there has not been sufficient time, nor evidence, on which to base an objective judgement. However, it is evident that the new staff team, under the exemplary leadership of the manager, have been extremely successful in establishing the new service. Care is provided by a committed staff team who are conversant with needs of both young people. They have established effective communication systems and regularly ascertain the views of young people about all aspects of their care. Staff are proactive in advocating on each young person's behalf in an effort to ensure they can access appropriate resources and services. Both young people have settled extremely well into their new home and are living full and active lives.

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Summary

Although there are two recommendations arising from the inspection, neither impact on the high quality of care on offer. Although the overall grade for the home is assessed as being good, there is every indication that the outcomes for young people are outstanding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since registration

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Helping children to be healthy

Being a new home, staff have had to establish effective systems to ensure that the health needs of young people are effectively met. As both of the current residents moved from another children's home staff were able to access detailed information on their health needs and how they can best be met. On admission both residents were registered with a local general practice and health plans developed to ensur e that both receive regular checks from dentists and opticians. As both young people experience communication difficulties staff closely monitor their non-verbal behaviour for indications of their well-being. All staff have completed training in first aid and the administration of medication. Medication is stored in an appropriately locked facility.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff promote the concept of healthy living and young people are encouraged to eat wisely. Fresh produce is used to provide nutritionally balanced meals that incorporate seasonal variations and special dietary needs. Healthy snacks and drinks are available in between meals. The home has a large well-equipped kitchen and staff provide opportunities for both young people to develop their culinary skills. Meals are social occasions and staff and young people eat together in a dedicated dining area. Young people are encouraged to keep fit by undertaking regular exercise. Walking is particularly popular and young people often accompany staff on trips to the local shops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although the home has established a comprehensive range of policies and procedures to keep young people safe, staff are still refining these into effective working practices that address the particular needs of the home's current residents. The home operates within a risk management framework and has established a system of regular key health and safety checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is a detached property set within its own secure boundaries. Though it is set back in its own grounds it fronts onto a busy road. Staff are clearly aware of the potential hazard this poses for young people with limited road sense. Due to their vulnerability, none of the current residents are safe to leave the home unaccompanied. Access to the building is limited and all visitors have to report to staff on admission, produce identification and sign in. Risk assessments are developed in respect of each young person and updated in response to changing circumstances. Staff carry key information folders on each young person that can be relayed to police in the unlikely event of them going missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff operate a child-centred approach to care in which each young person is treated as an individual. A key and co-worker system aims to assist with continuity in the delivery of care. Working with young people on a one-to-one basis provides staff with the flexibility to provide an immediate response to any changing needs. The privacy of each young person is given a high priority and each has their own room for that has been decorated and furnished to meet their specific needs. Staff treat young people with dignity and respect and issues, such as personal care, are dealt with sensitively. Confidential information relating to each young person is kept in an appropriate locked facility.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a child protection policy and there are clear guidelines for staff on the reporting of any concerns to the area safeguarding team. All the home's staff have completed child protection training as part of their induction. Staff spoken with were clearly aware of their personal responsibilities in regard to reporting any worries or concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management guidance has been developed in respect of both young people. Staff liaise with parents and teaching staff to achieve a consistent approach. Teachers from the schools of both young people have visited the home. There is an acknowledgement on the part of staff that young people with autism can experience difficulty in developing their social skills. Learning opportunities are provided appropriate to each individual's level of understanding. It is evident that staff are conversant with the specific behaviours of the current residents. Although bullying is not considered to be a problem, staff are aware that young people may strike out through frustration. By the use of appropriate staffing levels, careful planning and monitoring, staff minimise the risk of such incidents occurring. While staff have undertaken training in the use of physical interventions, they are only ever used if it

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

is felt a young person is putting themselves or others at risk. Challenging behaviours are managed by the deployment of diversionary strategies. There is a good system for recording physical interventions and other significant incidents. Each incident and its antecedence are examined in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

As both of the current residents experience communication difficulties, staff deploy a range of techniques, including sign language and pictorial cards, to seek out their views. Staff are pro-active in addressing any worries before they develop into major concerns. The home has a written complaints policy and all young people, their parents and placing social workers are made aware of it on admission. No complaints have been made since the home has opened.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment is carried out via a well-established process that requires applicants to complete a detailed application, submit to a Criminal Record Bureau check and provide two written references. All new staff have to complete a detailed induction programme and successfully complete a six monthly probationary period before becoming permanent staff. All new staff work alongside experienced staff until they are deemed competent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people receive good support from both their key and co-workers who work with them on a regular basis. Staff spoken with were clearly conversant with the physical, social and emotional needs of both young in their care. Young people were observed on their return from school and both were clearly comfortable in their surroundings and at ease in the company of staff. The manager confirmed that young people's religious and cultural needs are assessed on admission and strategies developed to meet them. Young people's social workers and appropriate family members are informed of their individual progress. Staff have established good links with parents and teachers and this has led to a greater consistency in approach in behaviour management.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Well-developed personal education plans ensure that young people have access to appropriate special educational placements. Staff have established good lines of communication with the teachers of each young person. A number of teachers have already visited the home. The home has facilities and equipment to support young peoples education and staff assist young people with project work. Staff are proactive in providing opportunities in the home and local community for each young person to develop greater independence. The achievements of all young people are both acknowledged and celebrated. Young people are encouraged to experience new activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff successfully implemented a transition plan that enabled young people to move into the home with a minimum degree of stress. Prior to their admission, staff worked alongside young people in their previous placement. Both young people undertook a number of introductory visits to the home before moving in. Information on the home was provided for young people in an appropriate format.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the home has only been fully operational for a short period of time, staff have managed to develop an effective planning process that provides staff with clear guidance on how the care needs of each individual should be met. Placement plans are reviewed on an on-going basis and adjusted in the light of changing circumstances. Placement plans examined were thorough, accessible and written in clear unambiguous language. It is evident they were developed in conjunction with the young person, their parents, teachers and placing social workers. .

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have established effective means of communication with the young people in their care and regularly seek their views on all aspects of their lives within the home. During the inspection young people were observed exercising choice over after school activities. All the young people observed appeared to be at ease in both their surroundings and the company of staff with whom they were with.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff provide many and varied opportunities for young people to develop their social and life skills. However, staff are clearly aware that, due to their autism, young people require high levels of support. All training is tailored to the needs and capabilities of each individual. Staff are extremely patient and work at a pace appropriate to each individual. Staff are clearly aware of the vulnerabilities of each individual and risk assess all activities. Evidence indicates both residents were making progress in a number of areas including personal care, communication and social interaction.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is situated in a good location and is accessible to a range of facilities including public transport. It, is a detached chalet bungalow that has been extensively refurbished to provide more appropriate accommodation for small group living. A full tour of the building revealed it is structurally sound and in extremely good decorative order. Each resident is provided with their own bedrooms that are designated as their own space. Although the home has been refurbished internally, staff are awaiting better weather before implementing a programme to develop the large garage, workshop and garden area.

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Organisation

Being a new service the home has recently developed a Statement of Purpose. A young person's guide has also been produced in a pictorial format for young people with communication difficulties. Both documents provide a good overview of the nature of the provision. As the service is still developing the statement is being regularly reviewed to reflect changes, such as the composition of the growing staff team.

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Organisation

The home is being managed by an experienced manager. She has been joined by a number of experienced staff from the organisation's other homes and a number of staff new to caring. All staff have completed an induction programme to familiarise them with the operation of the home. Although senior staff have gained their National Vocational Qualifications, a number of the less experienced staff are just embarking on their training. The manager is clearly aware of the need to ensure that the staff on each shift have the appropriate expertise to meet the needs of the home's vulnerable residents. Staffing levels are continually reviewed and increased in line with changing circumstances. All shifts are managed by the more experienced senior staff.

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Organisation

The home is clearly run by a group of enthusiastic staff, all of whom are keen to develop their professional knowledge and skills. There is an expectation that staff will assume personal responsibility for their professional development by accessing the many training opportunities on offer. A record of all training undertaken is kept on staff files. Though staff are knowledgeable about the specific needs of the current residents, a number have still to complete training on autism awareness. All staff, including the manager, receive regular supervision.

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Organisation

The home has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures that are accessible to all staff. Minutes of regular staff meetings indicate that staff engage in reflective practice and continually review their work to ensure they remain responsive to changing demands. Internal monitoring systems are effective and recommendations arising from monthly regulation visits are appropriately addressed. During the course of the inspection a range of records and documents were examined. All contained recent and relevant information and were written in clear accessible language.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The religious and cultural needs of each young person are identified on admission and plans developed to ensure they can be met during their placements. All staff receive training in equality and diversity issues and are proactive in promoting the rights of young people with disabilities. Each young person is treated as an individual with their own specific care needs and staff continually advocate on their behalf to ensure they can access appropriate resources and services.

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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 directions for the means of escape from ground floor bedrooms are clarified (NMS 26)  ensure that all staff complete training in autism awareness. (NMS 29.3)

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