Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Unique reference number SC403850 Inspection date 04/01/2011 Inspector Sharon Lewis 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

Rainbow Lodge provides a respite service for up to six young people living with a disability. The premises is a purpose-built bungalow. Young people benefit from the provision of a large staff team, which includes three nurses. Young people have their own bedrooms and specialist equipment is available to support them in their daily routines. Young people have access to a range of facilities. This includes a soft play area and a sensory room. To the rear of the building is a large back garden with play equipment, a karting track and a vegetable patch.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection five young people were resident at the home. Three provided positive feedback in relation to their care.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This interim unannounced inspection focused on the staying safe outcome area. It also checked the progress the setting has made with the actions and recommendations from the last inspection. Young people continue to receive a satisfactory service. Young people are learning self-responsibility. They enjoy engaging in a variety of activities and making meaningful choices during their breaks. Young people are very comfortable in their surroundings and have a good relationship with staff. Shortfalls relate to the recording of disciplinary measures, informing Ofsted of organisational changes and obtaining statements of special educational needs. These need to be addressed to comply with regulations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the home was required to address four actions. These related to maintaining records in accordance with regulations and ensuring the home operates in a manner which is consistent with their Statement of Purpose. Young people receive better protection from the home's recruitment procedure. Personnel files demonstrate that the organisation obtain two references prior to employment. The Statement of Purpose clearly states the home is only available for short-term respite breaks. Appropriate arrangements are being made to ensure placements do not continue indefinitely. Two actions are repeated. Staff inconsistently record the duration of restraints. The home is therefore unable to effectively monitor physical interventions. There is still an issue with obtaining a copy of young people's statement of special educational needs. Young people's files do not comply with regulations. Staff do not have all the necessary information relating to a young

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Improvements since the last inspection

person's needs. Eight recommendations were made at the last inspection. These relate to improving outcomes for young people and care practices. Young people benefit from a better supported staff team. The home is making progress on providing staff with monthly one-to-one supervision. However the length of each supervision is not routinely recorded. This recommendation is repeated. Job description are available for the care staff. They are unavailable for the health employed staff. These should reflect the home's current Statement of Purpose and their subsequent roles and responsibilities. This recommendation is also repeated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people are learning to take responsibility for themselves. Disciplinary measures now encourage reparation and restitution. Young people are able to greater influence care practices. Staff seek young people' views regarding their placement plan, activities and daily decisions. The home has not produced a comprehensive plan which promotes young people's independence. Currently this only relates to young people over the age of 16. It is not consistently implemented. Staff do not complete the life skills section within care plans. This addresses independence and how the service can meet the needs of all young people. This recommendation is repeated to promote the best interests of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive respite breaks in a service which adequately addresses their safety and welfare. Privacy and dignity are part of the home's philosophy of care. There is a respectful attitude to young people's needs and equality and diversity issues. Staff appropriately maintain confidentiality and share information with young people. Staff seek to empower young people. This includes enabling them to access their files and contribute to their daily notes. There is a clear complaints procedure. Young people and their families are able to use this process to effectively resolve grievances. Management respond promptly to any concerns. The service learns from complaints and they assist with improving practice. This contributes to a better service for young people and their families.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are systems to safeguard young people and protect them from abuse. Staff are aware of these procedures. They also receive guidance through regular briefings and training. There is a good system for monitoring bruising and unusual marks. Staff routinely update risk assessments and increase staffing if necessary. The only issue relates to whether staff pass on safeguarding concerns to social workers. Although staff state this does happen, written evidence is not always available. Staff record incidents and they are now aware of the need to inform Ofsted of notifiable events. Young people enjoy their time at the home. They feel the home is 'brilliant'. There are no issues with bullying or being absent without authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are learning to take responsibility for their actions. Staff are assisting them to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Behaviour plans highlight structured and consistent boundaries. There is an appropriate use of sanctions although staff do not always record them in the designated book. Staff use a range of diffusion techniques to assist young people with calming down. Young people rarely need to be restrained. When this does occur staff record the effectiveness of this measure. However, there was one occasion when the duration of a restraint was not noted. This limits the home's ability to fully analyse this disciplinary measure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people reside in a safe and secure home. There is a good security system which protects them. Staff maintain a visitors book and there is no unauthorised access to young people. A staff member takes key responsibility for health and safety matters. Young people benefit from regular fire drills, alarm tests and other environmental checks. The organisation's human resources department manages the staff recruitment process. There is a commitment to selecting suitable staff. Files now contain two references, in accordance with regulations.

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Organisation

At the last inspection the home was asked to consider actions and recommendations relating to the Statement of Purpose, job descriptions and staff supervision. These are addressed in the improvement section of the report.

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Organisation

This inspection highlighted other organisational issues. The home appears to have changed their name from Rainbow Lodge to Treetops. Ofsted have not been made aware of this. The Statement of Purpose and other documentation have also not been changed. Ofsted need to be formally informed of this, to enable the processing of a new certificate. The Registered Manager has also been absent from their role for over 28 days. The team leader is currently deputising in the management role. This arrangement is working well and does not effect the quality of care. The organisation is aware of their shortfalls. The monitoring system assists with highlighting areas of development. The organisation is currently addressing the need for more staff and problems with the heating.

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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

22 maintain a record of the duration of any restraints (Regulation 17 (4) (d)) 01/02/2011

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Std. Action Due date

22 maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of measures of control used. This relates specifically to sanctions (Regulation 17 (4)) 01/02/2011

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Std. Action Due date

35 obtain the information specified in Schedule 3 in respect of each child, in particular a copy of their statement of special educational needs (Regulation 28 (1)) 01/04/2011

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Std. Action Due date

34 give notice in writing to Ofsted of the home's name change (Regulation 38 (e) (i)) 01/03/2011

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Std. Action Due date

17 record the reporting of any concerns about the welfare of safety of a child. (Regulation 16 (f)) 01/02/2011

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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

 provide staff with written job descriptions and person specifications related to the home’s current Statement of Purpose. These should state clearly their responsibilities, the duties currently expected of them and their line of accountability (NMS 28.6)  produce a comprehensive plan for young people which promotes their independence (NMS 6.1)  maintain a consistent record of the length of each supervision meeting held for each member of staff. The record should be signed by the supervisor and the member of staff. (NMS 28.2)

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