Children's Home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC365366 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Suzanne Young Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2010 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 is a small three bedded children's home. The home caters for young people who have autism as a learning disability.

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Brief description of the service

The home consists of a lounge/dining room, kitchen and a downstairs toilet. Upstairs has three individual children's rooms of varying sizes, a bathroom and a sleeping in room which also serves as an office for staff. A grassed area and patio is at the rear of the property.

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Brief description of the service

The home has links to public transport and there is a range of activities available both locally and across the city.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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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. All key standards under the staying safe outcome group were inspected. At the last full inspection the home was judged as outstanding overall. Following this inspection, the outcome of staying safe continues to be judged as outstanding.

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Summary

Clear management systems are in place which ensures that the home continues to provide an environment that is safe and secure for the young people in its care. One minor shortfall was identified with regard to staff vetting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection two recommendations were made. These have both been met. The home is currently in the process of being redecorated throughout and young people's individual files are now securely stored in a locked cupboard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home continues to provide an environment that is safe and secure and which provides excellent arrangements for the promotion, protection and care of young people. All staff receive child protection training and have access to the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. These ensure staff respond to allegations or suspicions of abuse appropriately. Staff also complete detailed individual and environmental risk assessments for each young person which are regularly reviewed and updated. These enable staff to be well-informed about each young person living in the home to ensure they are appropriately safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to help protect young people from bullying and unauthorised absences. Due to the level of staffing, supervision of the young people and their disabilities, unauthorised absences and bullying behaviour are not issues within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect and promote an individual's right to privacy and confidentiality. Female staff are on duty morning and evening to provide personal care when required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no complaints made since the last inspection although clear systems are in place to manage complaints. Young people know how to complain if they are unhappy about something. Staff have developed a complaint document in widget form to gain young people's views and give them meaningful access to the complaints procedures. The home continues to receive compliments from young people's families thanking staff for their hard work and support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although staff receive training in de-escalation techniques and physical intervention they engage and encourage young people to behave in an acceptable way through positive reinforcement. As a result there has been no recorded use of physical intervention or sanctions in the home since the last inspection. All young people have a 24 hour management plan in place which is in line with the management strategies used in their schools. These are linked to risk assessments which give clear guidance to staff on how to effectively manage young people's behaviour and ensure consistency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Systems are in place to ensure the home continues to be a safe place for young people to live. The fire systems are tested on a regular basis and fire evacuation drills are undertaken in excess of requirements. Night time drills are not taking place as these would cause extreme stress and anxiety among the young people. To alleviate any risks the manager ensures that staff receive training in fire safety and experience a fire drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff recruitment records are well organised and clear. New staff do not commence employment in the home until all the relevant checks have been carried out. Photographs however are not on the files of all agency staff as required.

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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 the written record of the recruitment process is followed in respect of all staff, including agency staff, and includes evidence that all requirements of Schedule 2 have been met. This refers to having a proof of identity including a recent photograph on staff files. (NMS 27.1)

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