Children's Home run by Salford City Council in Salford

Unique reference number SC040733 Inspection date 22/10/2010 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 09/05/2010 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 five-bedded children’s home owned and run by a local authority. The home provides medium to long term care for children and young people aged between 11 to 15 years on admission.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a purpose-built, detached property, situated close to local amenities. There are five single bedrooms for young people, a staff sleeping-in room along with bathing and toilet facilities. There are two living rooms, an office, kitchen and utility room on the ground floor. There is a garden to the front and an enclosed garden to the rear.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This short unannounced interim inspection looked at the outcome area for staying safe, as well as any previous actions or recommendations. The outcomes for being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not inspected on this occasion.

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Summary

The home is a good service where the welfare and safety of young people is effectively promoted. One placing social worker provided the home with following written feedback. " I have been very impressed with the level of communication…they clearly have my young person's best interests at heart. My young person has made excellent progress since being placed… and the work and efforts made by staff is to be commended."

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Improvements since the last inspection

No actions were made at the last inspection. A recommendation made in relation to improved security has resulted in an intruder alarm being fitted to the front door to promote safety and security.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is promoted. Young people have their own bedrooms and they are able to wash with dignity, using private washing facilities. Their confidential information is securely stored and their records are well protected. There are appropriate systems in place for investigating complaints and there is evidence to show that young people's complaints are treated seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained to respond to safeguarding matters, so they know how to deal with allegations or suspected abuse. They are knowledgeable of the procedures to be followed to protect young people if they are missing which ensures that young people are properly safeguarded and protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained to manage young people's behaviours in a safe way and they provide young people with care which rewards them for their achievements and encourages them to behave in an acceptable way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sanctions are used to deter young people from misbehaving and unacceptable behaviour is responded to effectively. Young people are protected from peer pressure and bullying with staff exercising effective authority through the use of fair rules and consistent boundaries. Young people live in a home that promotes their safety and welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's health and safety is effectively promoted. There are risk assessments in place which cover the safety of the premises and the behaviours of individual young people and their activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are regular fire drills held to teach young people how to evacuate the premises and safety tests are routinely conducted to ensure that the home's fire equipment, electric and gas appliances, are all tested within the recommended timescales.

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