Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC023740 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 09/07/2010 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

This is a children's home for three boys or girls. The house is in a residential street in a seaside town, close to shops, recreation areas and the beach, with ample public transport nearby. This home appears as a well presented large domestic dwelling. Three young people are currently in place in the home. One young person was present during the inspection and greeted the inspector, but declined further discussion.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the outcome area of staying safe and the progress the setting has made with the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection in July 2010. These related to improvements to existing independency planning and review of the home's Statement of Purpose. In addition, recommendations were made to review recording systems in a number of areas where support is provided for the young people. The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve previous requirements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in July 2010, two actions were made. The manager was asked to ensure that independency plans were in place for all young people of suitable age and the Statement of Purpose was updated to reflect the provisions and services provided by the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Pathway plans have now been developed and all young people subject to this planning receive support and guidance to acquire skills for independent living. The Statement of Purpose has been updated and amended to reflect the services and provisions for the young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were also made for the manager to review the current systems of recording in a number of areas. Systems of recording highlighted included, healthcare, complaints, sanctions, and young people's meetings. Records have now been reviewed and guidance for staff reinforced through supervision and staff meetings. Records are now maintained well and provide detail and clarity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The records of support for staff were discussed at the last inspection and the manager agreed to review records of staff meetings and supervision. Improved record keeping is now in place and details of staff meeting and supervision sessions are detailed and well managed. The registered person has taken appropriate steps to improve the quality of the home for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are treated with respect and their information is treated confidentially. All information relating to personal matters is kept securely and staff understand the importance of privacy. Staff members await invitation before entering young people's bedrooms and they are particularly sensitive at times of washing and dressing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are supported to make representation or complaint about any matter, which they wish to pursue. There is a formal complaints procedure in the home and all staff receive guidance on managing complaints. The formal procedure ensures that all records of complaints are kept and the young person is consulted throughout the process. At the point of resolution the young person is consulted and is able to make further representation through an independent visitor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust safeguarding and child protection procedures are in place to maintain the safety and care of the young people. All staff receive mandatory training in child protection, with regular refresher training provided. A dedicated safeguarding co- ordinator oversees all matters of this nature and this person has many years of experience in this field. The home maintains detailed guidance for staff regarding the safeguarding procedures and the guidance mirrors the principles of the local authority’s procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying by staff that are vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms of bullying. All staff receive training in this area and all incidents of suspected bullying are separately recorded from other more typical, day-to-day incidents. Anti-bullying is regularly discussed between staff members and more formally at staff meetings and children's meetings. Procedures strive to encourage a proactive approach to anti-bullying and staff seek to raise areas of risk before bullying develops.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people are absent from the home without permission, the staff deploy effective measures to search, report and return the young person to the home. Protocols have been agreed with the local police and the home is also supported by on call and out of hour’s services. All incidents are recorded and staff undertake discussions with young people to try and ascertain the reasons for the absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people act in a less positive manner the staff will engage with them and try to encourage behaviour that is more positive. Young people benefit from close and supportive relationships with the staff. Improved behaviour generally results from co-operation and guidance and the home's staff favour a less punitive regime. When behaviour is more serious or enduring, staff may use a range of approved sanctions to challenge this. All sanctions and physical interventions are detailed and generally well recorded. It was however noted that the was no evidence of behaviour control in respect of one young person who was behaving negatively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home maintains comprehensive risk assessments for all young people. Young people's known behaviours are considered and risks are then considered both generally and applied to environmental situations. This is apparent in terms of absence from the home and at times when risks outside of the home may impact on the young person. Risk assessments are insightful, very detailed, and well managed. The home maintains fire safety and health and safety risk assessments. These are periodically reviewed and also, specifically reviewed, when new staff or young people arrive at the home. Regular fire safety evacuation drills are performed and all staff are aware of the procedures in cases of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To ensure young people are kept safe from others, all visitors to the home are rigorously monitored. All visitors must identify themselves and sign in an out of the building. No visitors are permitted to have unsupervised access to the home or the young people. All new staff employed by the home undergo careful vetting and references checks. A formal recruitment panel takes place and all formal and statutory checks are complete before staff begin their employment.

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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 that the consequences of unacceptable behaviour are clear to staff and children and any measures applied are relevant to the incident, reasonable and carried out as contemporaneously as possible. (nms 22.4)

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