Children's Home run by Trafford Borough Council in Trafford

Unique reference number SC032475 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 01/09/2010 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 and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex from 11 to 17 years of age. The home is situated in a quiet residential area and benefits from good access to local amenities. This home fits in with neighbouring properties and has no distinguishing features. Young people are accommodated in single bedrooms, which they are free to personalise.

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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 visit 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. Recommendations made at the previous visit, were also re-assessed to monitor compliance.

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Summary

The home is a good service which provides young people with a good standard of quality care. The home has continuously evidenced a positive commitment towards meeting the national minimum standards for children's homes and has a proven track record of compliance with regulatory inspection. This demonstrates the home's strong commitment towards meeting young people's needs comprehensively. Young people confirm they enjoy living at the home where they are protected and respected with their welfare and safety promoted.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection there are a small number of recommendations made in respect of recording systems for the registered manager to consider.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No actions were made at the previous inspection. The one recommendation that was made has been met, with regulation 33 reports now submitted to the home within reasonable timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected and this was evidenced through direct observations and through discussions held with young people. Young people's records are treated confidentially and their private information is securely stored. Young people are able to use the home's washing facilities without fear of their privacy and dignity being compromised. Where room searches have occurred, these have been conducted in line with the home's policies, and these are fairly and professionally undertaken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safeguarded and protected from abuse and bullying. Young people's behaviours are carefully assessed, but not all had risk assessments in place to enable staff to promote their safety, specifically, in relation to an assessment of vulnerability should they go missing from the home. Despite this, where young people had gone missing staff had implemented the home's missing person's procedures effectively, to promote their safe return. Not all recordings however, specified the actual date and time of young people's return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints. There was evidence on young people's files that they have been made familiar with the home's complaints procedure. Young people spoken to did not communicate any dissatisfaction or unhappiness about any aspects of their care. They felt the home was a good place for young people to live, which provided them with good support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and staff spoken to did not feel there were any issues with bullying within the home. Records inspected show that staff are trained to deal with conflict and challenging situations in a safe and professional way. The use of restraints and sanctions are rare, with praise, positive reinforcement and reward used very effectively, to enable young people to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people spoken to were complimentary of the systems used to discourage and reward both positive and negative behaviour. Restraints and sanctions records were generally found to be in order, however, the last recorded restraint was not numbered, as standards and regulations require.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety systems are effectively managed in practice. The home provides young people with a safe environment, with the health and safety of those resident actively promoted. A tour of the premises was undertaken. No identified health and safety issues were identified. Regular fire drills are held to ensure that young people know how to evacuate the premises safely in the event of fire. Fire safety systems, gas and all portable electrical appliances are all contractually serviced within the recommended timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment and selection procedures were not inspected on this occasion. However, these have been previously judged to show that young are protected and that safe recruitment practices are followed and adhered to.

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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 all restraints records are numbered in a bound book (NMS 22.9)  ensure all young people have a risk assessment in place to indicate their vulnerability if missing from the home (NMS 19.1)  ensure the date and time of young people's return is recorded when absent from the home without authority (NMS 19.1).

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