Children's Home run by Calcot Services for Children Limited in Wokingham

Unique reference number SC054468 Inspection date 04/01/2011 Inspector John Chivers Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 27/07/2010 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 for up to three children and young people, aged between five years to 17 years. There is therapeutic input available and the aim of the home is to achieve permanency within a family. The children and young people usually remain at the home for up to two years before they move on. The home was built in the 1950s and is a conventional four-bedroom house with a large rear garden. It is situated on a quiet residential road near to public transport and a few miles from the centre. All local amenities are within easy reach.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and support to a high standard for children and young people with a wide range of needs.

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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 inspection was an interim inspection and unannounced. All of the national minimum standards in the section staying safe were inspected. There were no actions or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection and no actions or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. The home continues to be managed to a high professional standard and affords an equally high professional standard of care and support to the resident children and young people. The home was visited by a delegation of child care professionals from Singapore in 2010 which was organised by Ofsted as one of the examples of 'outstanding' provision regulated by them the UK. Three young people were resident at the time of the inspection, one of whom contributed to the inspection process via discussion.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were actions or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and are trained in this area at induction. Children and young people are treated with dignity and staff respect their privacy. Confidential records are securely held in locked cabinets within a locked office. A telephone is available for children and young people's use and there is ample space in the home where children and young people may receive appropriate visitors in private. Toilet and bathing facilities afford good privacy and children and young people have secure facilities in their rooms where they can keep valued and treasured possessions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are confident that staff take any complaints seriously and would investigate any issues thoroughly; however they are clear they have no complaints about the home or the standard of care they receive. Children and young people are very complementary regarding the care experience they receive. Staff are trained in the area of complaints. The home's complaints records show that no complaints have been received by the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are protected from harm and abuse by staff that are appropriately trained in child protection and are alert to safeguarding issues. They learn about aspects of their personal safety via their individual schools' curriculum and this is reinforced by staff in direct work and discussion with them. Children and young people say they feel safe in the home and that staff have full regard for their protection and well-being. There are no current child protection or safeguarding issues in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people live in a bullying-free environment and confirm that staff are quick to identify and deal with such conduct should it arise. The homely and caring atmosphere coupled with the close supervision arrangements helps to reduce the likelihood of bullying becoming an issue. There is a clear and detailed missing persons' policy and procedure; however unauthorised absences are not a problem in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people's behaviour is well managed by staff that are appropriately trained in behaviour management and who have excellent relationships with the children and young people. Staff interact and engage children and young people in a positive way, setting clear boundaries and expectations. Children and young people respond to staff instructions and requests positively and confirm that the standard of discipline in the home is fair. Sanctions and restraint are clearly recorded, being necessary and appropriate in the circumstances described in the records. Children and young people benefit from having clear and comprehensive behaviour management plans that are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes active steps to keep children and young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff personnel files hold all required information including three written references and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level. The home's recruitment and vetting procedures helps to ensure only suitable staff are employed to look after the young people.

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