Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Bexley

Unique reference number SC387684 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector Peter Daniel Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 12/07/2010 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 a residential home for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home has accommodation for six children/young people aged from 12 to 17 years, of either gender. It is able to offer placements to young people with associated complex needs, such as epilepsy, autism or challenging behaviours. The home can offer planned, emergency and respite placements. The home is conveniently situated for rail and bus routes and is within walking distance of local shops. It is a detached property with its own secluded private gardens.

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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 that focused on evaluating the national minimum standards under the outcome area of staying safe. The unit has positive leadership. There is an experienced staff group who understand their role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children. Young people receive child-centred care. Staff and young people have positive relationships. The home has effective recruitment and safeguarding procedures in place, as well as administrative and monitoring systems. The home undertakes appropriate safety checks of the environment. All the minimum standards for this outcome are met well. There are no breaches of regulations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people now sign off complaints and a progress of the complaint is kept on file.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and personal care is respected. The home has systems and procedures for safeguarding children's welfare. Staff understand their role and responsibilities in relation to protecting children and reporting any concerns to management and to relevant agencies, including Ofsted. Staff have had training in child protection, restraint, first aid and fire safety. Some staff have completed training on self-harming and sexual abuse. Each young person has a risk assessment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The approach to recruitment is robust. Staff recruitment records are held at head office but the home keeps 'mini' records, including details of Criminal Record Bureau checks and references. Criminal Record Bureau checks are up to date and there is a system for renewals. The home has appropriate procedures in place for vetting visitors to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is fully staffed. Two staff have recently been appointed. There is a minimum of two staff on shift during the day and evening. There are two staff who sleep in at night. The ratio is always a minimum of one member of staff to two young people. The staff group is experienced and qualified. Staff and children have positive relationships, based on trust and mutual respect. Staff are non judgemental and relate sensitively and empathetically to the young people. There is a good balance between care and control and staff set boundaries and are consistent. The overall impression is that the home has clear rules but has a relaxed atmosphere. Young people say they get on very well with the staff and that they are caring. Young people also say they think the home is outstanding and that staff are strict but fair. Young people respect the staff and happily approach their key worker if they need to but are happy to speak with any staff member.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has developed effective procedures for managing and monitoring behaviour. There are procedures for monitoring unauthorised absence, incidents and Schedule 5 referrals, bullying, sanctions and rewards, restraint and complaints. Staff use restraint only minimally.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints are dealt with effectively. Young people are familiar with the home's complaints procedure and know how to complain. Since the last inspection, there have been three low-level complaints that were dealt with within timescales and signed off by the manager and the individual.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home ensures that residents are safe from hazards within the building. Regular building checks, fire, gas and electric checks are being done. Fire drills are routinely practised and include night time evacuation of the building. The bedrooms have smoke alarms.

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