Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC370899 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Mark Ryder Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 25/06/2010 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 children's home, owned by a private company, is registered for up to three boys aged between 11 and 17 years and is located in a rural setting. It is a detached house providing communal facilities and three single bedrooms. There are private gardens to the front and rear of the property. Young people can access nearby towns by public transport and transport provided by the home. Young people also access leisure and community facilities within these areas. Two young people are presently in placement. One young person contributed to this inspection.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

At this unannounced random inspection all key standards for staying safe were assessed. Actions and recommendations made at the last inspection were also checked. The home provides a satisfactory standard of care and demonstrates that they can improve outcomes for young people. Young people are positive about the staff and feel they can talk to them about any concerns they have. However, this inspection identified concerns in relation to training, development and formal support of staff. Staff on duty have not all received mandatory training in relation to safeguarding and behaviour management. This means that in the event of a serious incident staff may not be able to deal with this in line with their duty of care and responsibilities. This is a particular weakness of the provision which is reflected in the overall grade being changed from good at the last inspection to satisfactory at this visit.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There was one action and two recommendations made from the last inspection. The action and one recommendation have been met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure that all serious incidents are notified to Ofsted without delay. Since the last inspection this has significantly improved. Therefore, Ofsted is able to assess how effective the service is in meeting the needs of young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Risk assessments regarding identifying the times, places and circumstances of bullying has also improved. This means that staff are able to anticipate how young people are with each other and ensure their safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure that all staff have annual appraisals. Whilst there is some improvement supervisions, appraisals and training remains inconsistent. The overall support and development of staff is therefore not meeting national minimum standards. This may impact on the quality of care provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are positive about the staff at this home. There are good natured and friendly relationships enabling staff to work effectively with young people during their placement. Young people say that sanctions are fair. However, the lack of consistent training with regards to safeguarding and the use of physical intervention undermines this work. For example, not all staff on duty are trained to safely use restraint if required to do so. This means that young people could potentially be hurt if they needed to be held. The record of physical restraints details the reason for the hold, what action taken and how the incident ended. Whilst these records indicate an appropriate response from staff, the log does not reflect whether young people are routinely asked if they wish to see a doctor or nurse after such an incident. Therefore, it is unclear if young people are given this opportunity after all incidents

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of the complaints process and feel they can discuss any concerns they have with staff. Records of complaints are regularly monitored. Serious complaints are notified to Ofsted. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people say that staff respect their privacy. All young people have their own bedroom and key and feel secure living at this home. A young person said 'staff knock on my bedroom door and wait for an answer before they come in'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is challenged and guidance given to young people who present such behaviour. Assessment of risk of being the victim or perpetrator of bullying is recorded and reviewed. Staff are aware of this behaviour and feel confident in dealing with such incidents. Young people feel that bullying is not a concern at the present time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who are missing from the home are reported in line with the home's procedures and individual risk assessment. Safeguarding policies and guidance are available to staff although the lack of direct training for some new staff members has the potential to compromise how effective this is. This is an area for improvement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are regular health and safety checks on fire systems and electrical appliances and installations. However, oil tank maintenance could not be evidenced during this inspection. This means that the safety of this oil storage facility is unclear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are cared for by staff that have gone through a robust recruitment process. All staff have been appropriately vetted and checked before they start to work with young people. Young people are therefore suitably protected by these arrangements.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

31 ensure all staff receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 27.4) 18/02/2011

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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 provision of training for all staff in the prevention of abuse, recognition of abuse, dealing with disclosures or suspicions of abuse and the home's child protection policy (NMS 17.8)  ensure where there has been physical intervention, the child will have the right to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner within 24 hours (NMS 22.14)  ensure oil installations are inspected at least annually. (NMS 26.4)

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