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

Unique reference number SC034189 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 02/11/2010 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 run and operated by a local authority. The purpose built accommodation provides placements for up to six young people aged 13 to 17 years. There are two communal lounges for young people and computers are available for the young people that have internet access. The bedrooms are single occupancy with en-suite facilities and all are situated on the first floor. The home is located in grounds shared with social services offices and a local authority home catering for adult service users who have learning difficulties. There are public transport links close to the home.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. Staying safe was also assessed during this inspection.

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Summary

There is a positive approach to safeguarding at this home and staff are clearly aware of their responsibilities. Training in safeguarding is available for all staff and this is supplemented through the council online e-learning system. Staff work with the young people to ensure that any behaviour concerns including bullying is dealt with using the restorative system. This approach lays emphasis on the involvement of the young people and how this impacts on the victim of bullying behaviour. The safety of staff and young people is well managed through good risk assessments. Some staff however, have not been involved in any practice fire drills. The safety of the young people is enhanced through the robust recruitment process.

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Summary

The young people feel safe living at the home and this is a reflection of the professional approach taken by staff in the way they interact with the young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to improve the quality of both care and placement plans, ensure monthly staff supervision sessions take place and to comply with the recommendations made by the fire officer. In addition, recommendations were made at the last inspection for the restraint log to meet national minimum standards and for staff to receive at least six days training annually. A new system for monitoring the quality of care plans has been developed. Supervision for staff is now coordinated by the management team and a diary system is in place. All the recommendations made by the fire officer have been implemented. A new restraint and sanctions book has been introduced, both are separate and bound with numbered pages. A monthly management staff training monitoring system is now operational to ensure ongoing staff development. These improvements have enhanced the outcomes for children and have improved safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people enjoy single bedroom accommodation with en-suite facilities. This enables them to have total privacy in their bedrooms. In addition there are other social areas in the home where young people can be alone if they choose. Some young people feel that room searches are against their rights to privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a complaints procedure in place and young people are confident that any complaint they make will be treated seriously. Support is available for young people who wish to make a complaint and the National Youth Advisory Service (NYAS) will ensure that any support required is provided. Leaflets informing young people about the complaints procedure are available throughout the home. Young people are confident that any formal complaint will be appropriately addressed. The restorative practice approach is a common method used to resolve any issues rather than resorting to a more formal stage. This enables the young people and staff to try and resolve issues together through discussion. This is very good practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Training in child protection awareness is available for all care staff. There is a strong commitment at the home to ensure that young people are kept safe. Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and this is clearly reflected in their work currently being undertaken with vulnerable young people living at the home. Staff have developed excellent links with the local police and a protocol is in place for their involvement in responding to situations to support staff. These systems ensure that the young people are cared for in a safe environment. Young people feel safe living at the home and they are confident that staff work hard to ensure that they are protected from abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying can be an issue and any incidents are dealt with involving the restorative practice approach. Staff understand how to manage bullying incidents, and they work with victim and perpetrator to try and come to a positive outcome for both parties. The young people are confident that staff would deal with any incidents of bullying promptly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a procedure in place to manage situations when young people are absent without authority. This process is enhanced with the police protocol and robust risk assessments for each young person. When a young person is returned to the home, staff spend time with them to ascertain the reasons for their absence. The young people's advocacy service is available to support young people on their return. It is standard practice to ask young people if they wish to speak to someone from outside of the home. The robust procedures and good practice at the home underpin this work and promotes the safety of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff work proactively with the young people to modify negative behaviour. They use restorative practice thereby engaging young people in discussion and dialogue rather than resorting to restraint. This is very good practice. Although all staff are trained in behaviour management techniques, physical restraint is not a common feature of this home. The de-escalation of tense situations is clearly a skill that staff have developed and it is commendable that restraint not routinely used. This encourages a more positive relationship between the staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The building is maintained in a safe condition. The maintenance for electrical installations, fire alarm system, and portable appliances testing is up to date. Fire drills are held regularly including full evacuation of the home and staff have attended training in fire safety awareness. However, not all staff have experienced a practice fire evacuation drill. Risk assessments are appropriately completed for activities undertaken by the young people including the building and grounds. These measures promote the safety of the staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home operates the local authority recruitment and selection procedures. This involves a full check of all applicants for employment prior to the interview process. Young people are an important part of the selection of new staff and their views about each applicant is included in the final decision on the appointment. This is a very good demonstration of equality and diversity.

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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 staff know the emergency evacuation procedures for the home, including those for use at night, in case of fire. (NMS 26.7)

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