Children's Home run by North Yorkshire County Council in North Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC034235 Inspection date 06/01/2011 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 28/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is a local authority children's home and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people of either gender, aged from 13 years old up to 17 years old, who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is a detached property, situated within a short distance of local amenities and public transport facilities. Downstairs, there is a kitchen, an open plan dining room, kitchenette and lounge, a games room and quiet room/meeting room. Upstairs, there are six single bedrooms, two bathrooms, computer room and another lounge/meeting room.

p.4

Brief description of the service

There is a driveway, car parking space and surrounding gardens.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at staying safe. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last key inspection. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation were not looked at during this inspection.

p.4

Summary

The home provides the young people with a safe, well-maintained environment. Staff have a clear awareness of their responsibilities to keep the young people safe. This is underpinned by the policies and procedures in place on all safeguarding matters.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There are no requirements or recommendations from the last inspection.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff at the home promote the rights of the young people to their privacy. They have single occupancy bedrooms to which they have appropriate access when they choose. The building provides the young people with a quiet room where they can have private time alone or to meet with their family. The approach to ensuring all sensitive information is kept confidential is very good. All information relating to the young people is kept secure in the main office.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information about how to make a complaint is freely available to the young people and they are confident that any issues or concerns that may constitute a complaint, will be dealt with appropriately at the home. The young people are actively encouraged to raise issues with staff. Restorative discussion between staff and young people is used to resolve problems or issues about life at the home. The young people have access to an advocacy service which will actively support them if they wish to make a formal complaint. All complaints are appropriately investigated although some entries did not have the signature of the person who recorded the complaint.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The approach taken at the home in respect of safeguarding is effective and all staff are trained in child protection procedures. In addition, the manager has initiated an ongoing development programme to maintain staff awareness of safeguarding responsibilities. This is done by having safeguarding as a standing agenda item at all staff meetings. These measures promote the safety and protection of the young people. Staff work with young people on risk taking behaviour to alert them to dangers they may be exposed to within the local community. The young people said they felt safe living in this home. Bullying is not currently an issue, although staff are nevertheless aware that this could take place among the mix of young people. Where appropriate the restorative justice approach is used to deal with any incidence of bullying.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A policy and procedure is in place to manage situations if a young person is missing. There is an awareness among staff to treat these situations with sensitivity. Individual risk assessments identify those young people who are likely to go absent without authority. This ensures staff are kept fully informed and thereby promoting the safety and well being of young people.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's approach to behaviour management is based on discussion and ongoing dialogue with young people. There is a culture of dialogue with young people rather than resorting to restraint at the home. This is good practice. Staff use restorative discussion meetings with young people to explore situations when behaviour is getting out of hand. This method of behaviour management is seen by staff and young people as generally effective.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety relating to the building is well managed. Regular checks and maintenance is carried out on all domestic and fire safety appliances. All staff have been trained in fire safety and the home carries out regular fire drills including full evacuations. These measures keep staff and the young people safe.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home ensures that individuals employed are suitable to work with children and young people. There is a robust county recruitment and selection policy and procedure that is followed in practice.

p.6