Children's Home run by Kingston upon Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

Unique reference number SC034746 Inspection date 27/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Busby Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 22/07/2010 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 owned and run by a local authority. It was originally a large family home, which has been converted into a children's home. The home is registered to look after a maximum of six children, of either sex, between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. There are four young people accommodated.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large three-storey building with an enclosed rear garden. Downstairs there is a communal lounge, a games room/second lounge, a computer room, telephone room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and office. Upstairs there are six single bedrooms, two bathrooms and two staff sleep-in rooms. There is a small self- contained flat on the first floor, used for young people to gain life skills.

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Brief description of the service

There are health services and local shops nearby, with easy access to bus services. There is a parking area to the front and side and additional on-street parking.

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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

This was an unannounced, interim inspection. It assessed the key national minimum standards (NMS) associated with how young people are enabled to stay safe. The inspection also assessed whether the registered persons had met the recommendations made at the last inspection. As this was an interim inspection, it did not assess all the key NMS. Consequently there was not enough evidence to assess or amend the overall judgement made at the previous inspection.

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Summary

The staff team work positively and are well motivated. They work in a child-centred manner with a group of young people who have diverse and complex needs. Good practice was observed in handling young people's concerns in a sensitive manner. Social work professionals said that staff work hard for better outcomes for young people.

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Summary

The shortfalls are identified in the staying safe outcome area.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager was asked to ensure the medicine cabinet was securely locked. This has been rectified and a clear procedure is in place for staff. This ensures all medicine is stored safely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people's opinions are sought during key worker sessions, at reviews and during children's meetings. This ensures young people are listened to and their views are taken seriously. However, a new system has been introduced for young people to record their views on sanctions and restraints. This is not consistently completed and remains a recommendation. The recording of restraints undertaken now includes the actual duration of the physical intervention, which provides clarity between the incident and the restraint. At team meetings, the staff discuss the management of the current group of young people and also the use of restorative justice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people who are on a pathway plan have help and support which prepares them for and supports them into adulthood. This includes shopping, cooking, making appointments and budgeting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a decision record for new admissions that takes into account both the needs of the young person concerned, and the likely effects of their admission upon the existing group of residents. However, for young people who are admitted in an emergency a risk assessment has not been carried out. This does not ensure risks are identified and strategies are put in place to minimise any risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's right to privacy is upheld. They have their own bedrooms and bathrooms are lockable. There have been no recent room searches, but if required staff follow the guidance. Young people have easy access to a phone and some have their own mobile phones. There is space for young people to have meetings in private if they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The arrangements for complaints, child protection and missing without authority are appropriately managed following the home’s procedures. Staff have completed training in child protection and they are fully aware of procedures which are followed in practice to protect young people from harm. Where concerns are identified actions are taken within the home to safeguard young people and minimise risk. Young people know how to make a complaint and staff will advocate on their behalf. The staff promote anti-bullying and will challenge and intervene. There have been some incidents of bullying which are recorded and monitored. If young people go missing without authority, there is an action plan in place for each young person which is followed by staff. When young people return to the home they are offered an opportunity to see their social worker or a person independent of the home to discuss the reasons they went missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff have had training that has provided them with a range of techniques to manage young people's behaviour and this includes restorative justice. Individual crisis management plans are in place for young people to ensure staff respond to their behaviours in a consistent way. Restraints and sanctions logs are available but these do not have the space for young people to record their views and sign the record. An alternative system has been set up but this is in the early stages and does not fully demonstrate that young people are consulted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is safely maintained and all utility installations have been routinely checked by engineers as required. The home is presently being redecorated and all damage has been repaired. Therefore, young people live in a safe environment. Risk assessments are in place for most areas such as fire, building and grounds and behaviours but not for activities. This does not identify potential hazards to staff. In addition there are no risk assessments of when a young person is admitted in an emergency. This does not identify the impact on the child or the existing group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors to the home are appropriately vetted and processes for recruiting staff are in accordance with the local authority's policies and procedures. These measures contribute to the overall safety of young people using the service.

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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 when disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to write or have their views recorded and sign their names against them if possible in the records of the home (NMS 22.14)  ensure risk assessments are undertaken for children's known and likely activities (NMS 26.2)  ensure the impact of emergency admissions to the home for both the admitted child and the existing child group are taken into account, and risk assessed. (NMS 26.2)

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