Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC403895 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Katarina Djordjevic Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 07/06/2010 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 children's home run by a local authority. It provides care for two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties between the age of 10 and 17 years. It is located in a city suburb and is within easy reach of community resources and facilities.

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Brief description of the service

There is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, toilet and utility room on the ground floor. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. Each young person has their own bedroom and the third bedroom is used as a staff office and sleep-in room. There are gardens to the front and rear of the home. Staffing is flexible depending on the needs of the young people. There is always a member of staff on sleep-in duty and on-call arrangements are in place.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people were living at the home at the time of this inspection. Both young people contributed to 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 was an unannounced interim inspection. The purpose of the visit was to assess the quality of care being provided to young people living at the home, in line with statutory requirements and to check progress made on meeting the actions made at the previous inspection. All standards in staying safe were inspected and standards 1, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 35 were also inspected.

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Summary

This continues to be a good service with many outstanding features. Young people live in a nurturing and supportive environment with an extremely skilled and committed staff team. As a result, young people receive a very good level of care and make real progress during their time at the home. Young people feel safe and are happy living at the home and are proud of their achievements. Furthermore they are protected from the risk of harm and abuse by the effective systems and practices within the home. Excellent relationships exist between young people and staff which enable young people to raise any concerns they may have.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two actions made at the last inspection. The Registered Manager was asked to ensure a central record of measures of control and discipline is kept and that where young people have a statement of special educational needs, a copy is kept on the young person's file. Both these actions have been addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are totally committed to protecting young people from the risk of harm and abuse while at the same time enabling young people to learn how to keep themselves safe. Young people live in a nurturing environment where they are able to take controlled risks dependent on their age, abilities and experience. There are a range of safeguarding policies which, along with a range of training, inform staff how to effectively support and help young people make progress. The home has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and all staff receive child protection training. Staff are fully aware of their responsibilities to report any concerns they may have about a young person's welfare. Young people are further protected by a clear and accessible complaints procedure which they understand. Furthermore, positive relationships with staff enable young people to raise any concerns they may have. Young people have access to other agencies and an

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

independent advocate who they can also contact if they have any concerns. No complaints have been received since the home was registered in December 2009. Bullying is not tolerated in the home and this is made clear to young people. Where incidents of bullying do take place, these are dealt with promptly and appropriately. There are clear procedures to follow in the event of a young person going missing. Individual risk assessments are carried out where this is identified as an area of concern.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Respect for each other is embedded in the culture of the home. Staff present as positive role models which helps young people learn about mutual respect and accepting difference. Young people are given keys to their bedrooms and confirmed that staff knock on their doors before entering. However, young people know that staff will enter without waiting for permission if they are concerned about a young person's safety. Information is stored confidentially.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management of young people's behaviour is very good. The ethos of the home is on recognising and rewarding positive behaviour and achievements which helps young people change their behaviours. Each young person has a behaviour management plan which they are involved in drawing up, so they know what is expected of them. The plans also ensure that staff work consistently with young people. Incentive schemes are also used and based on individual needs. Sanctions for poor behaviour are minimal and rewards far outweigh the number of sanctions imposed. On the occasions where sanctions are imposed, these are appropriate and young people feel they are fair. Restraint has not been used since the home was registered which is testament to the commitment and the skills of the staff team. Records of sanctions and restraints are kept as required. Young people live in a safe and secure environment as a result of the effective

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

management of health and safety. Staff receive a range of health and safety training. There are robust and effective monitoring systems which help to ensure any potential risks are kept to a minimum. Equipment and installations are serviced as required. Fire safety checks are carried out as required and fire drills are also carried out which ensures young people fully understand and comply with fire evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safe and effective recruitment practices and the vetting of visitors help to protect young people. Young people are actively encouraged to be part of the recruitment process. This is excellent practice. Both young people said how much they enjoyed meeting candidates and being able to help make decisions about their suitability.

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Organisation

Young people continue to be cared for and supported by a highly committed, experienced and motivated staff team. The staff team are constantly striving to improve the care provided to young people as the staff believe that young people should be given every opportunity to reach their potential and have different experiences. As a result ,young people receive a very good level of care based on their individual assessed needs. Staff are very well supported by the Registered Manager who continues to provide clear leadership and direction. Staff receive regular supervision and have monthly staff meetings. Staff receive all mandatory training and are able to access a wide range of other courses which are relevant to their work. Staff appreciate the training opportunities they are given. There have been some minor staff changes since the last inspection which have been made to address the gender balance of the staff team which ensures the care for young

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Organisation

people is based on their individual needs. The Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect the staff changes. The quality assurance systems continue to be robust and effective. This ensures that young people are protected from the risk of harm and abuse, receive the care they need and that young people are able to make progress during their time at the home.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity continues to be outstanding. Respect and accepting difference is part of the culture in the home. Staff receive training in equality and diversity. Young people learn about difference so they can understand and accept people with different needs. Care provided to young people is based on their individual needs which takes into account their age, abilities and disabilities, gender, race, religion and culture. There are a range of examples which demonstrate staff commitment to actively promoting equality and diversity. For example, young people are involved in exploring their cultural heritage; theme nights are held where young people learn about other cultures and cook meals from different countries.

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Organisation

Young people's files contain the required information as detailed in Schedule 3 of the Children's Homes Regulations, 2001, to inform staff about the needs of young people and how to meet their needs.

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