Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Wakefield

Unique reference number SC060811 Inspection date 14/01/2011 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 02/09/2010 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 provides care for two children who are aged between eight and 17 years old. The primary reason why a child is admitted to the home is because of emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a terraced house situated within a small town. On the ground floor there is a staff office, lounge, kitchen with dining area, and a porch. On the first floor are two young people's bedrooms, a staff bedroom, bathroom with toilet and a shower room with toilet. At the rear of the house is a yard, which is reached by an unmade road and provides an additional car parking space for the home.

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Brief description of the service

The home is centrally placed for public transport, the library, shops and other leisure facilities. A primary school and secondary school are within walking distance.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection. Matters looked at during this visit relate to the outcome of staying safe and the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Summary

Young people are well looked after and say they feel safe living in the home. The staff have a very good understanding of the young people's individual care needs. Keeping young people safe from harm is given the upmost priority and there are strong safeguarding practices in place to protect young people. This is enhanced with a wide selection of staff training and monitoring of the service. This assists in protecting young people well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the registered person was asked to address areas relating to staying safe, economic wellbeing and organisation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All staff have undertake fire drills and practices at suitable intervals to ensure they are fully aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire. Adequate precautions have been taken to prevent and safe guard against fire. This includes doors not being wedged open. The physical intervention records include the required information. The risk assessments have been reviewed at suitable intervals. The garden space has been made safe. The manager has improved the current quality assurance systems further, to assist in identifying omissions and deficiencies within the service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The following areas are still to be addressed in full. The minimum ratios of 80% of care staff have not yet completed the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People, although, progress is being made in this area. The home is in the process of decorating and up dating the bathrooms to ensure all areas of the home are well decorated and maintained to a good standard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their privacy and confidentiality respected. A young person said they have time alone in their bedroom if they wish and the staff knock and wait before entering their rooms. The locks work on the bathrooms so that young people can take a bath in private. Their records are securely stored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff and the young people are fully aware of the complaints procedure. There have been no complaints made since the last inspection. Young people are advised of the complaints procedure on admission to the home. When a complaint is made, it is recorded in full. Prompt action is taken to investigate complaints and the outcomes of complaints have been recorded when they have been made in the past. This indicates concerns raised are taken seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective measures in place to ensure that young people are safeguarded. Staff are conversant with the circumstances under which child protection procedures should be invoked and all staff have up-to-date training in relation to safeguarding, and they participate in annual refresher training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue at the home at this time. Young people said bullying is not tolerated either within or outside of the home. Clear information on bullying is available for young people to read. The staff are aware of the diverse needs of the young people they are caring for. They have identified how young people are to be supported in this area. High staffing levels assist in them responding promptly to deal with bullying situations and being able to monitor young people closely when required. Therefore, young people are protected from bullying, through the home's policies, procedures and the practice of the staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High priority is given to protecting young people from putting themselves at risk when going missing. Staff talk to young people about keeping themselves safe and respond appropriately to protect them when they go missing without authority. Young people are aware of the circumstances when they will be reported missing. The number of incidents has reduced and is minimal. Staff have specific strategies in place for individual young people to protect and reduce the number of times they go missing. Direct work with young people also takes place to support the individuals concerned, helping them to recognise the dangers they may put them selves in when going missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Managing behaviour positively is given importance. Young people benefit from an individualised approach to positive handling. Staff work hard to establish positive relationships with young people. The focus in managing behaviour within the home is centred on using praise and encouragement to improve behaviour. This is supported by rewards and incentives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The sanctions and restraint records detail the required information. Since the last inspection in September, four sanctions and no physical interventions have taken place. The required information is recorded and monitored to see that those given are appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's safety is significantly enhanced through the practices and support from staff. There are risk assessments in place, which cover the relevant areas. These are detailed and have been reviewed. Staff have a good awareness and implement the strategies and safeguards to reduce the risks identified for individual young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The fire records indicate that regular checks on the system and appropriate fire instruction, training and drills have taken place. Health and safety areas are monitored closely by the manager to ensure appropriate measures are in place to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are detailed vetting and recruitment procedures for staff to ensure young people are prevented from being cared for by unsuitable people. The organisation undertakes the required and relevant checks on the staff recruited. This includes a Criminal Record Bureau check, references from the previous employer and having a full employment history of the worker. In addition, declarations are obtained from staff to ensure they have not been disqualified from caring for children.

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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 that all areas of the home are well decorated and maintained, in particular, the bathroom and shower rooms ( NMS 24.2 & 24.3)  ensure that the minimum ratios of 80% of all care staff complete their National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People (NMS 29.5)

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