Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020595 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Robert Hewston Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 03/11/2010 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 is registered to provide residential care for up to four young people of either gender, between the ages of 10 and 17 years, who suffer with emotional and behavioural problems.

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Brief description of the service

The home has four single bedrooms for the young people, two with wash basins, one bathroom with a toilet and a shower room with a toilet. There is a very large communal living area which incorporates a sitting area, dining area and a games area with internet access to a computer. There is also an extension which provides extra sleeping accommodation for staff and an arts and craft room. There are extensive grounds, with activity and play areas and a small wooded area to the rear. There are car spaces for several cars. The home is situated in a rural area with access to a town approximately five miles away.

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Brief description of the service

An education service is provided off site but there is a commitment to integrating young people into mainstream educational provision. In addition, the company employs therapists and engages other services available to the home and aimed at providing a range of services to young people and their families.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was a interim unannounced inspection that concentrated on any previous actions and recommendations and assessing the staying safe outcome area. The home offers residential care for four young people. Three young people are resident with only one participating in the inspection.

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Summary

The overall judgement for this service has remained as good. All previous actions and recommendations have been well met. The staff team provide excellent care to young people with significant behavioural and emotional challenges. Young people are provided with a service that not only meets their needs but raises individual opportunities and development.

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Summary

There are no actions or recommendations from this inspection

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two recommendations from the previous inspection. Both have been completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people's risk assessments are now well monitored and reviewed regular. Risk assessments do show the changes in young people's behaviour and the appropriate actions and outcomes to follow.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The introduction of new paperwork showing discussion held with young people, enhances the excellent relationship and support the staff offer to young people. It is clear to see how young people have a 'voice' in their opinions and views of their care within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected. They can lock their bedroom doors and staff will always knock before entering bedrooms. Staff are aware of the balance between ensuring young people's privacy and at times needing to provide a higher level of supervision to help ensure their safety. Young people are very clear that they can speak to staff if they are worried or unhappy. There are clear complaints procedures and appropriate guidance for young people and adults. The guidance for young people is included in the children's guide and is in age appropriate format. The complaints records are properly kept and show that the process works in practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people trust the staff and manager to listen to their concerns and act on them. This encourages a culture of openness where young people feel able to raise worries. Staff try to deal with them as quickly and effectively as possible. This is also the practice where there are concerns about bullying. Staff work with all young people to stop the bullying by using one-to-one discussions and young people's meetings. There is a system for recording and monitoring any incidents of bullying or racist incidents. Although there have not been any incidents since this was introduced, monitoring any such incidents helps to identify any trends and provide a safer environment for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff in the home demonstrate a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and are confident in applying them. They attend training updates to ensure they remain familiar with processes to protect children and young people from neglect or abuse. This increases safeguards to protect children and young people from harm in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who put themselves at risk through being absent without consent are protected in accordance with the home's policy and procedures. The policy for staff regarding absconding behaviour provides clear guidance on ways to minimise the risks involved if a young person is missing. Records are very well recorded on all such incidents. These indicate the prompt actions by the staff to find the young person and notifying the police and other relevant agencies. Risk assessments provide further details on the level of vulnerability of young people. Monitoring and reviewing of young people's risk assessments have improved and are up-to-date with the development and behaviour of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are supported to develop socially acceptable behaviour through the setting of clear boundaries and expectations and the establishment of positive relationships with staff. Individual behaviour plans are in place for each young person and are regularly discussed and reviewed in consultation with young people. The new recording format now clearly shows how young people participate and express their opinions and views on their care plan. Training in behaviour management, including de-escalation techniques and the use of physical intervention, is provided to staff together with written guidance. Other areas of training are also accessed to provide staff with an increased understanding of the behaviours they encounter. Such areas include attachment theory.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments, policies and procedures are in place to support the maintenance of a safe environment for children. Records demonstrate that regular safety and servicing checks are undertaken to fire, electrical and energy installations. Fire drills take place at different times and staff and young people are familiar with evacuation procedures. Staff receive fire safety training and external advice is sought regarding fire safety matters. Suitable procedures are in place for the recruitment and checking of staff. A record of visitors is maintained and proof of identification is requested where appropriate. These measures contribute to young people's safety.

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