Children's Home run by Bramley Care Limited in Surrey

Unique reference number SC028505 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector John Chivers Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 26/04/2010 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 registered to accommodate a maximum of four young people aged between 14 years and 17 years. The home is registered to accommodate boys only. The home is privately owned and is one of three children’s homes owned by the service providers. The home provides a caring and supportive service to boys who have experienced abusive backgrounds and may display emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is a detached property situated in a rural location. However, several villages and a town centre are easily accessed by public transport.

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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

The inspection was an interim inspection and unannounced. All of the key standards in the section of staying safe of the national minimum standards for children's homes were assessed. The one recommendation made at the last inspection was found to have been met and no actions or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. The home continues to be organised and managed to a high professional standard and affords an equally high professional standard of care and support to the resident young people. Four young people were resident at the home at the time of the inspection but did not take part in the inspection process on this occasion, their positive views and opinions having been conveyed on previous inspections.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the Registered Manager was asked to ensure that copies of young people's individual education plans are obtained from the home's school. Copies of the plans have now been obtained and are held on young people's individual files. This ensures that staff are fully aware of young people's educational targets, progress and issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and confidential records are securely held in locked drawers and cabinets. Staff treat young people with dignity and respect their privacy. There is a telephone for young people use and adequate space in the home where young people may receive appropriate visitors in private. Toilet and bathing facilities afford good privacy and young people have lockable safes in their rooms where they can keep treasured and valued possessions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and their parents have unrestricted access to the home's complaints procedure and young people know how to make a complaint and who to complain to. Information regarding complaints is displayed in the home. Staff receive training in the complaints procedure at induction and this is reinforced periodically at staff team meetings. The home's complaints book is available and shows that no complaints have been received. Young people are clear that any complaint would be taken seriously and properly investigated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from harm and abuse by staff that are appropriately trained in child protection and safeguarding and have full regard for their safety and welfare. Young people learn about aspects of their personal safety via the school's curriculum and this is reinforced by staff in discussion and direct work with them. There is excellent therapeutic input into young people's care and further specialist advice and input is sought as appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a bullying free environment and the friendly cohesive and accepting atmosphere at the home helps to reduce the likelihood of bullying becoming an issue. Young people are clear that staff would be quick to detect and appropriately act on such conduct should it arise. There is a detailed policy and procedure regarding missing persons; however no unauthorised absences have occurred.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is very well managed by staff that are appropriately trained in behaviour management. Staff have excellent working relationships with young people and interact and engage them in a positive manner. Young people respond to staff input in this area positively, and a friendly and cohesive atmosphere prevails in an accepting and homely environment. Sanctions and restraint are rarely used and any such issues are clearly recorded and are appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the records. Young people's behaviour is monitored and reviewed on a regular basis and specialist advice and guidance is sought as appropriate regarding a range of behavioural issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes active steps to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed. The home's recruitment and vetting procedures are robust and staff personnel files hold all required information including two written references and checks via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level. The home's recruitment procedures helps to ensure that only suitable staff are employed to look after the young people.

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