Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC368982 Inspection date 13/12/2010 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 04/03/2010 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 a small residential children's home, forming part of a private company's group. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people. At the time of the inspection one young person was living at the home. The service provides a therapeutic residential service for young people aged from 10 years to under 18 years on admission, who display a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, with associated mild to moderate learning difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached house. Accommodation is spread over two floors. On the ground floor, there is an open plan reception room, kitchen and dining room, with downstairs cloakroom, a bathroom and three bedrooms. There are two further bedrooms on the first floor. One of the downstairs bedrooms is used by the care team as a sleep-in room and office.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced full inspection. All key national minimum standards have been inspected. The main focus of the inspection was to identify how well the home meets the needs of young people living there.

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Summary

Overall, this is a good setting with outstanding aspects in enjoying and achieving. Young people live in a safe and very supportive environment, which meets their individual needs. Young people wrote and spoke about what it is like to live here and their comments are included in the main body of the report. Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff which help them to feel safe, secure and valued. Young people's educational and personal achievements are valued highly by staff. Outcomes for education are exceptional and as a result young people are making very good progress and are developing skills for life, such as managing a budget.

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Summary

The manager and staff are good at ensuring young people's welfare and safety are promoted. However, there are some issues around the administration of controlled medication; the restraints record not being held in accordance with the standards, the complaints policy containing errors in Ofsted's details and the induction system in relation to safeguarding.

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Summary

Young people are cared for in a warm, well-maintained, homely environment with young people encouraged to personalise their own bedrooms. One young person was present during the inspection and a positive interaction was observed between the young person and staff throughout the visit. Staff are good at recognising young people as individuals and are very proud of their individual achievements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable, as no areas for improvement were identified at the last inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people enjoy healthy and nutritious meals, which reflect a range of different cultural tastes that meet their dietary needs. Staff work alongside young people to develop healthy eating within the home. This is aimed at increasing their knowledge of basic nutrition and sets out plans for a balanced diet. Meals served are varied to enhance young people’s health and physical well-being. For example, young people are actively involved in the planning, preparation and shopping for meals. This means they develop an understanding of purchasing food and managing a budget. Meal times are a social occasion and include having different cultural theme nights organised throughout the year. This helps to build positive relationships and encourage young people to experience new foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Staff with first aid qualifications are on duty at all times to make sure appropriate action is taken to safeguard young people in the case of an emergency. Medication is safely stored within individual lockable cabinets. Procedures are in place for the administration of medication; however, the systems for the administration of controlled medication are not robust. On numerous occasions controlled drugs are only administered by one member of staff resulting in no one witnessing the procedure. This is not in line with good practice guidance from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people’s general health needs are actively promoted. Young people are registered with a doctor, dentist, optician and other specialist services as required, dependent on their individual needs. They have detailed plans which effectively identify their assessed health needs and how they are being met. Staff monitor young people to make sure they are healthy by encouraging them to attend routine health checks and by ensuring they get medical treatment when they are unwell. The home has good links with health and advisory services to make sure that young people get suitable support with specific health issues, such as emotional well-being. Staff deal with health issues sensitively. They ensure young people get appropriate support and advice, including developing their personal care skills, to promote healthy lifestyles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff ensure young people feel valued and that their privacy and dignity is maintained. Young people have single bedrooms, which they are able to personalise with art work around their favourite football team. Staff respect the privacy of young people and make sure their information is stored securely in a locked office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people confirm that they are able to raise any concerns with the staff or through the appointed independent person. The home takes young people’s complaints seriously and provides them with the information on how to raise concerns should they feel a need to. However, the complaints policy does not currently contain all the necessary information for contacting Ofsted as it does not included the correct telephone number or address of Ofsted. This hinders a young person’s ability to contact Ofsted with any concerns they may have.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel safe and state that this is because staff care about them. The home keeps children safe, as established staff understand their roles and the procedures to be followed should they have a concern about a young person's safety or well-being. Clear policies and access to regular training means staff are knowledgeable about child protection and safeguarding issues. Staff provide clear information to young people on how to keep themselves safe when away from the home resulting in young people developing confidence in dealing with potential difficult situations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue for young people. Staff are aware of the potential for bullying, but state this is not an issue at this time. Young people confirm that situations of bullying in the past have been handled well by staff and the issues have been resolved. Discussions with young people enable them to examine their feelings towards others, different situations and come to an appropriate resolution. Young people are assisted in developing socially acceptable behaviour through positive reinforcement of good behaviour and constructive responses to inappropriate behaviour. Young people are clear on the house rules, although they admit that they do not like some of the rules they acknowledge that, 'that's life.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been few incidents of children missing without authority. Staff are very clear on the procedures to follow should this occur in order to keep young people safe. There has been minimal use of physical intervention by staff since the last inspection. Young people are aware of the sanctions policy and feel that ‘it’s ok’. However, on occasion the recording of the reason for a sanction is not made clear. For example, it would appear young people are sanctioned for getting up to early. Discussions with the Registered manager and deputy indicate that this was actually in relation to the young people's behaviours, rather that the time they got up. The restraints record is in place but, does not meet the minimum standards. For example, the duration of some restraints is unclear and on occasion more than one restraint is recorded on one page. Any significant events that have occurred within the home

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

since the last inspection have been reported to the appropriate authorities under the regulations. Young people's self esteem is enhanced by the use of positive consequences for good behaviour, for example choosing to have a 'take away' for tea.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are managed well. General and individual risk assessments enable staff to put appropriate plans into place to lessen or eliminate risks to young people or the environment. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated to ensure they remain current. Fire, gas and electrical equipment are checked and young people take part in fire evacuation drills to help keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Secure procedures are in place to ensure all staff undertake the necessary vetting checks before they commence employment at the home. Information relating to staff is held securely in the organisation's head office. All visitors to the home are monitored and required to sign the visitor’s books. The home is appropriately secured to prevent unauthorised individuals gaining access to the premises. These procedures ensure young people are protected from potential risks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people receive exceptional individual support and guidance. Young people confirm that they are happy here and have everything they need as 'staff are great.' Young people state they are supported well in school and staff help them with their homework. Staff spend a lot of time individually with young people and clearly enjoy working with them. Staff are understanding, compassionate and always view young people in a positive light. This enables staff to build constructive and trusting relationships with young people and as a result young people feel comfortable talking to staff about their problems and accepting their help and advice. Lively discussions take place between staff and young people around a variety of subjects. For example, analysing the results of a recent football match or their performance on games consoles. Young people confirm that they are able to take part in hobbies, such as fishing, proudly showing visitors pictures of their prized catch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff are proactive in assisting young people achieve their individual goals, for example, supporting them in taking guitar lessons and undertaking research to locate street dancing groups for them to attend. Regular outdoor activities, such as mountain climbing and hill walking effectively support young people's confidence and self esteem. For example, young people are particularly proud of climbing to the top of a mountain, which was achieved with excellent support and encouragement from staff. Staff are extremely proud of young people's achievements and proudly display photographs of them receiving an award from the Mayor for excellent behaviour. Staff support young people to take part in a variety of activities, this means they are able to enjoy their leisure time and engage in activities within the wider community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people's individual needs are clearly identified in their records and the support they receive is tailored to meet their personal circumstances. Staff are very knowledgeable about young people's needs. They know how best to work with each young person, taking into account their abilities and level of understanding to ensure they receive the right support and assistance. There are many examples of staff providing advice and support to meet young people's needs including healthy lifestyles, personal safety, education and emotional well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Staff fully support young people's education and have a very positive relationship with school. Regular meetings between staff, teaching staff and therapists mean young people receive consistent support and guidance. School reports show that young people are making very good progress. Outside agencies provide additional support for young people to explore future employment interests such as cookery. Young people's educational needs are clearly identified and the arrangements for meeting their needs are put into place effectively. The home's structured daily routine supports young people's participation in education and ensures good attendance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation of young people about their placements and day-to-day issues is a good feature of this service. Young people attend weekly resident meetings where they are able to discuss concerns or plan for future events. Staff encourage young people to express their wishes and feelings, for example, why they are not receiving 'free time' or why the home car has been loaned to another setting. Discussions around issues such as 'free time' enable young people to identify why some things are not possible at the moment. Key working meetings are regularly held where young people are further able to talk about their placements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Care plans detail all required information to inform young people and staff on the purpose of the placement. Young people are fully involved in their assessment and contribute to the written care plan. Culture, religion and ethnicity are considered for each young person. Reviews are held within timescales with young people fully involved in these meetings. Thus, young people are actively involved in the decision- making process and have ample opportunity to ensure their wishes and views are heard. Reports submitted by staff to review meetings have been discussed with young people beforehand. This ensures that the young people are aware of what assessment the staff team have made during their placement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements for young people to visit their parents are organised effectively and regularly reviewed. The team are aware of the importance of young people maintaining healthy supportive relationships with their families and ensure this is a priority for each young person if appropriate. Arrangements for moving in and preparing to leave the home are well organised and at a pace the young person feels comfortable with. Young people are helped to prepare for moving away from the home through regular discussion. Staff are sensitive to the needs of each young person.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard and provides a very homely, welcoming environment for young people. Communal accommodation consists of a kitchen, dining area, lounge and games room. This means young people can be alone when they so wish. Young people have single bedrooms, which are personalised with murals of favourite football teams. This helps them to feel included and valued. All areas of the home are clean and tidy.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff are able to support young people to develop skills and knowledge which will be useful to them when older. For example, they help young people to develop cooking skills, to learn how to spend money appropriately and to develop cleaning and laundry skills. This results in them developing a wide range of life skills to support them in the future. Young people receive regular pocket money and clothing allowance money and records of their use are maintained to act as a safeguard for young people.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by staff who are fully supported. Members of staff receive regular formal supervision which covers all essential areas. Induction systems are in place for new staff. However, it is not made clear within the induction programme as to when safeguarding and child protection are covered with new staff. Staff state they have been provided with copies of the policy but discussions indicate they are not fully conversant with the procedures although they state they would report concerns to the manager. Young people receive the care and services they need from competent, experienced staff team. All staff hold appropriate qualifications with a number of staff undertaking additional qualifications. There are clear procedures in place for members of staff to deputise in the absence of the manager. Members of staff are sufficient in number with rotas ensuring sufficient staff are on

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Members of staff encourage young people to learn about different faiths through visits to temples and synagogues and the introduction of cultural food nights. By participating in community activities, such as dance groups' young people are able to develop their own identity. The Statement of Purpose accurately describes what young people can expect from living at the home and provides clear information for those needing it. A detailed young person's guide to the home is available to young people and provides them with information about the type of care and support they can expect to receive. Staff also discuss the contents of the guide to ensure they are fully conversant with how the home is run, and what the setting expects of young people and in turn what young people can expect from staff.

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Organisation

The care of young people living at the home is monitored regularly. The manager consistently monitors the running of the home every month. The management identifies areas for improvement and takes action to ensure that the home meets young people’s needs and promotes their welfare. A representative on behalf of the owner of the home also visits the home every month to monitor how well young people are being cared for. Appropriate action is taken within the designated timescales by the Registered manager and deputy to address issues raised within Regulation 33 reports. For example, plans are in place for the repair and refurbishment of some areas within the home. The home’s written records provide a clear picture of individual young people’s needs, development and progress. Young people’s records are organised and contain up-to-date information about them. Young people are encouraged to read and make comments about what is written

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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

17 ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home a written record is made. In particular restraints are recorded individually, the duration of the restraint is clear and sanction records outline the behaviour leading to the sanction (Regulation (17) (4) (b,d) 12/01/2011

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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

 ensure a written record is kept by the home of all medication given to children. In particular the home follows the guidance of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in relation to the administration of controlled medication (NMS 13.2)  ensure the complaints procedure enables children to make minor or major complaints to the appropriate persons in particular children have access to Ofsted's address and contact numbers (NMS 16.3)  ensure staff receive a clear introduction to child protection procedures before the commence work at the home. (NMS 31)

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