Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC359832 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Liz Driver Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 06/05/2010 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 setting is registered to accommodate three young people from 10 years to 17 years with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The setting is a large, family sized building. It is owned by a private organisation. The ground floor has a large kitchen/dining room, lounge, education room, toilet and staff office. On the first floor there are three young people's bedrooms and two staff sleeping-in rooms, a bathroom with toilet and a separate staff shower and toilet. There are extensive gardens surrounding the setting.

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Brief description of the service

Three young people currently live in the home. Two young people were present during the inspection, engaged in education so only spoke with the inspector briefly.

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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 short notice announced interim inspection looked at the staying safe outcome. There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection to revisit. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not looked at during this inspection.

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Summary

In relation to the staying safe outcome this is an outstanding service where the young people's welfare is enhanced by robust policies and procedures, high standard staff training and excellent practices.

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Summary

There has been a change in manager since the last inspection; they are currently going through the Ofsted process to be registered.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are cared for by staff who show a high regard to privacy and maintaining levels of confidentiality. Individual files are stored securely in locked cabinets. There is clear and comprehensive guidance for staff to follow if a room search is indicated. Young people are also well informed of these procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The setting has a very comprehensive and up to date child protection and safeguarding policy. Staff receive regular and high standard training in this area. This enables young people to feel safe at the setting. The setting keeps up to date with changes and amends its training to include new legislation and guidance. There is excellent communication between the setting and child protection professionals with the manager ensuring referrals are followed up. There is excellent monitoring by the manager with a high level of commitment by senior managers and directors. Staff work hard to provide young people with knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe when out in the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from having access to a robust complaints procedure. The right of a young person to complain about their care in the home is made clear to them on admission. The young person's handbook gives clear guidance about who they can complain to and their contact details. Staff receive training in complaints and whistle blowing during the induction process. The organisation addresses all complaints in accordance with their robust policy and in a timely and professional manner with action taken as necessary. Any issues relating to misconduct and dismissals are addressed with the organisation's human resource department in close liaison with senior managers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is taken seriously, with behaviour management plans in place that provide clear guidance for staff. Individual triggers are identified that assist staff in lessening the risk of bullying, with very good outcomes. The response and approach to bullying is made clear to young people on admission, key worker sessions and house meetings. Staff are very aware of group dynamics in the home and manage young people's interactions extremely well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If a young person goes missing or leaves the home without permission the staff have clear guidance to follow. The guidance identifies that each young person's risk is different with risk assessments taking their individual circumstances into account. Close communication with the local police and consistency of staff practice enable the whereabouts of young people to be identified. Incidents of young people going missing without authority are rigorously monitored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are given clear information and guidance about appropriate behaviour and the support the setting can offer to enable them to change any negative behaviours. Each young person has a behaviour management plan that outlines what support they need in achieving positive behaviour, what may distress them and what agreed rewards and sanctions are in place. Young people do present with challenging behaviour at times but the staff team work very well together and provide a consistent approach to dealing with any difficult behaviour. Staff practice in dealing with challenging behaviour is of a high standard. Staff work hard to build positive relationships and provide a warm and caring environment where young people feel at ease to express themselves with the knowledge that staff are supportive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records of sanctions and physical interventions are recorded to a high standard. The manager closely monitors practice and records relating to sanctions and physical interventions. Young people have the opportunity to comment following a physical intervention taking place. Staff are suitably trained to carry out physical interventions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home that is robustly checked in all areas relating to health and safety. The home has comprehensive and updated risk assessments, reviewed monthly, for all aspects of safety of the premises and grounds including fire and activities. The home has up to date checks carried out on the electrics and fire safety systems. All young people and staff are given fire safety instruction with regular fire drills being carried out. The local fire and rescue service visited the setting in October 2010 with one minor recommendation made that has been addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are cared for by staff who are recruited via a robust recruitment procedure. Visitors are also robustly checked with records kept. Young people are actively involved in the recruitment process and are encouraged to give feedback to the recruitment panel carrying out the formal interviews, after they have met the potential member of staff.

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