Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Unique reference number SC062573 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 20/07/2010 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

This children's home provides care and accommodation on a planned, long-term basis for seven children of either sex, from 12 years old up to 17 years old. The home is purpose built in its own grounds. It is suitably located for access to all local amenities and it is convenient for public transport. The home has a lounge, games room, and kitchen and dining room on the ground floor. The main offices are also located on the ground floor. All seven bedrooms have en-suite facilities.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance against all key national minimum standards.

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Summary

The home continues to provide young people with good outcomes in all areas. The staff are skilled and experienced in supporting young people who present challenging and difficult behaviour. The home effectively promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages young people to eat well. There is a strong anti-bullying ethos and staff demonstrate a sound understanding of the need to protect young people from harm. Education is valued and the young people are actively engaged in alternative learning opportunities. The care needs of young people are set out on an individual basis and young people are actively involved in decision making about their future. Overall, the home is well managed and the staff are supportive of each other.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In the period since the last inspection the home has made bedroom door keys available for the young people. Some prefer staff to look after them. This helps promote a sense of independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are facilities for the safe and secure storage of medication and there are systems in place to ensure that it is administered safely. None of the young people are currently taking prescribed medication. The records concerning the use of household remedies are well maintained and clearly account for the administration of all non-prescribed medicines. Staff have completed an appropriate level of training and the local pharmacy is prepared to offer support and guidance as necessary. Staff have first aid qualifications and the first aid kit is in good order. The arrangements contribute to the general health and well-being of young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young people's health care needs are met well. They are all registered with primary healthcare providers and appointments are made as necessary. Specialist advice is available regarding misuse of drugs and alcohol, sexual health and anger management. Mental health workers regularly attend the home's team meetings and contribute their views on the support that individual young people need. Health care plans are held on file for all young people and provide a comprehensive account of the way in which health care needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are encouraged to lead healthy lives. The home provides them with healthy, well-balanced meals which are planned on a daily basis. Young people have contributed their ideas and are occasionally involved in the preparation of food. Meal times are considered to be an important part of the day and are usually relaxed social occasions. There is always an alternative to the main meal to ensure that young people's individual preferences are catered for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and dignity is respected. They have their own bedrooms with en-suite bathing facilities. In response to a recommendation in the last inspection report the young people have been offered keys to their own rooms. Some young people have chosen to keep their keys safe with staff. The staff have a sound understanding of issues of confidentiality and the safe management of information. All records are held securely ensuring that information about young people is safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people have been provided with the complaints procedure and have written guidance on raising worries and concerns. There has been one complaint in the period since the last inspection. It was investigated appropriately and resulted in a referral to the police. The arrangements for complaining are well publicised and young people confirmed that they are familiar with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have recently completed online safeguarding training and are confident about reporting their concerns or a disclosure of abuse. They have access to the safeguarding procedures and the local safeguarding board provides a range of information on its website. One child protection incident has occurred in the last six months which was well managed by staff and passed on to the appropriate authorities to investigate without delay. Young people are protected from harm by the home's strong response to safeguarding issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's approach to bullying behaviour is specified in the children's guide and an anti-bullying culture is promoted through key worker sessions and house meetings. In the past, incidents of bullying have been managed effectively and at present there are no reports of young people being bullied. These measures in place ensure that young people are protected from bullying. Incidents of unauthorised absence are relatively low. Any occurrence is well documented and reported in line with procedures agreed with the police.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home promotes socially acceptable behaviour. Staff have completed training on the use of non-physical intervention techniques to manage challenging or aggressive behaviour. This involves the effective use of distraction, redirection and de- escalation. As a result, the use of restraint is rare. Young people benefit from the staff's constructive response to anti-social behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained and all fire records and scheduled maintenance visits are up to date. Staff are robustly vetted prior to commencing employment and are subject to periodic checks with Criminal Records Bureau. This contributes to the overall safety and well-being of young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The help and support that each young person needs is clearly set out in comprehensive placement documents. The information closely follows every child matters outcomes and identifies risks, needs and behaviour management plans. Although they are set out in a standard format they clearly reflect the individuality of each young person. These arrangements ensure that care and support is provided in a consistent way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home promotes and values the education of young people. It continues to be committed to supporting young people to achieve their potential. All young people currently living in the home are engaged in school or post-school activities. Young people of school age have a personal education plan. They are given practical assistance to get to and from school and have access to educational facilities in the home. Some of the young people have finished school and are now successfully engaged in work, college placements and other post 16 support arrangements. Young people are encouraged to take part in other learning activities and have, for example, completed training courses with the local fire brigade. Young people benefit from the home's approach to learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young people have access to a range of activities in the community. Some choose not to get involved, preferring to make their own arrangements with their friends. The staff and young people have undertaken a number of impressive art projects and this work is displayed around the home. The home has safe and age appropriate access to the internet. There is a games room in the home with a pool table and all young people have been provided with their own games consoles. The staff encourage young people to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The care and support young people receive is subject to regular statutory review. Young people confirmed that they can attend and contribute their views through a written consultation document that is completed with their key worker. Where they choose not to attend, young people are given feedback and informed of the review decisions as soon as possible. The review system ensures that young people are actively engaged in the decision making processes about their lives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements are set out for all young people in their placement plans. The home promotes contact as appropriate and in accordance with any restrictions imposed by the courts or social services. Young people's views on their contact arrangements are respected. The home ensures that contact takes place safely.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged to participate in the day-to-day operation of the home and are engaged in making a range of decisions. This includes contributing ideas and expressing preferences in relation to the provision of meals, weekly shopping and activities. Key worker sessions provide individual time for consultation and there are regular house meetings. The arrangements ensure that young people have a variety of ways of expressing their views.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The young people are well supported in making the transition to adulthood. They are allocated a leaving care worker and have pathway plans in place. The young people are encouraged to acquire independent living skills including managing laundry, the preparation of meals and budgeting. The home will provide both formal and informal support and contact for young people who have moved to their own accommodation. These measures ensure that the leaving care process is a positive experience for young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The premises are well maintained. Communal areas are spacious, well decorated and comfortably furnished. Office accommodation is secure. The enclosed gardens are in good order and include a greenhouse, vegetable plot and chicken run. There are good leisure facilities such as a pool table, books and magazines and a computer. Young people live in a pleasant environment.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The local authority is committed to promoting equal opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-oppressive practice. Case files strongly reflect the individuality of young people. The Statement of Purpose was reviewed in January 2011. It is up to date and provides a clear and concise account of the home's core values and how care and support will be provided. The young people are provided with a children's guide on admission which clearly sets out what they can expect from the home and staff team. Both documents are well written and ensure that all interested parties understand the aims of the unit.

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Organisation

The home is well staffed. This ensures that young people are provided with the individual support and guidance they need. There is an effective key worker system in place. The staff are well qualified and have access to a wide range of training which enables them to keep their practice up to date. They receive good support from the senior team and have regular supervision and team meetings. This ensures that the staff have opportunities to reflect on events in the home and their childcare practice. The staff team are well motivated and focused on improving outcomes for young people.

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Organisation

The home is subject to regular quality monitoring visits to assess its performance and comment on the range of activity within the home. The Regulation 33 inspector visited the home at the time of the inspection. He is satisfied that the home is well run and that the staff team are proactive in identifying areas for improvement and reflecting on practice. The manager also carries out regular audits. The monitoring arrangements contribute to the overall health and well-being of young people.

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