Children's Home run by Trafford Borough Council in Trafford

Unique reference number SC032496 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 29/11/2010 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

The home is a local authority children's home for six young people of either sex, aged from 11-years-old up to 17-years-old.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a purpose built, detached property situated on a private residential estate. The accommodation is provided over two floors. On the first floor, there are individual bedrooms, of which one has been converted to be used as a gym, staff sleep-in accommodation and two bathrooms with toilet and shower facilities. On the ground floor there is a lounge, dining room, quiet room, art room, laundry, kitchen, toilet facilities and offices.

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Brief description of the service

To the rear of the property there is an enclosed grassed garden with a patio area. To one side of the garden is the home's allotment. The home has good access to public transport links, nearby towns and cities. Six young people currently live in this home, of whom two were present during this inspection.

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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 was undertaken to assess the home's performance in meeting the outcome area for staying safe. The outcome areas for being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not inspected on this occasion. Actions and recommendations identified at the previous inspection were also inspected to monitor compliance.

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Summary

Young people are safeguarded and protected. Staff are suitably trained which enables them to promote young people's welfare and safety. Young people's behaviours are assessed thoroughly and their risk assessments are recorded clearly . The home is a safe place for young people to live and health and safety within the home is effectively promoted. There are no actions or recommendations identified as a result of this visit.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the use of reparation has been reviewed as a sanction to ensure that sanctions used by staff are fair. Complaints records have been reviewed to ensure that written outcomes are recorded appropriately. The process of undertaking regulation 33 visits has changed, to make sure that young people are better consulted. The views of young people, their parents and social workers are now formally ascertained and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected and their private information is stored securely by staff for the purposes of confidentiality. There is an effective complaints procedure in place, with which young people are familiar. Young people are able to raise their concerns and their rights to complain are respected. The home treats all complaints seriously and appropriate action is taken to resolve any complaints, with detailed records kept within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are trained in safeguarding and they are familiar with their roles and responsibilities to promote young people's welfare and safety. Procedures for protecting young people from abuse are clearly understood and these are followed effectively. Records inspected confirm that young people are safeguarded and they are protected abuse and bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviours are clearly assessed to enable staff to work safely. Where young people absent themselves without authority, staff know what procedures to follow to promote their safe return. Bullying is not tolerated and there is good evidence that all forms of bullying are taken and treated seriously. Appropriate action is taken by staff, to address any incidents of bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their behaviours managed safely. Where sanctions are used, these are used fairly to deter young people from engaging in unacceptable behaviour. The use of restraint is rare, but when used, it is used effectively to protect young people from coming to harm. Staff are trained in the use of restraint to enable them to respond to challenging behaviours in a controlled and professional way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective systems in place to promote health and safety. Staff make sure there are regular fire drills and the home's gas, fire safety equipment and electrical appliances are serviced regularly within the recommended timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment procedures are rigorous and ensure that those employed have their suitability to provide care for young people assessed thoroughly and properly. This ensures young people are protected from potential abusers.

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