Children's Home run by Lifetime Opportunities Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC063103 Inspection date 05/01/2011 Inspector Sarah Oldham Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 26/07/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is registered for a maximum of five children and young people who have a learning disability. Long term accommodation is provided for those whose ages range from eight to 17 years. The property is purpose built and located in a semi-rural area. Access to shops, schools and community facilities requires transport. The home has its own vehicles.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Each young person has their own bedroom and most of these have en-suite facilities. The communal areas include a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and a playroom. There is also a garden and patio area.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This was an unannounced inspection which was conducted to assess the progress the home has made in meeting the recommendations from the previous key inspection. The inspection also concentrated on how well the home safeguards children. There are five children currently living in the home. None of them were in at the time of the inspection.

p.4

Summary

Overall the home provides good outcomes for children. The home has appropriate systems and procedures in place to promote the safety and well-being of young people.

p.4

Summary

One recommendations were made as a result of this inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, two recommendations were made. These related to ensuring that staff received formal supervision on a regular basis and ensuring that 80% of staff had undertaken National Vocational Qualification training at Level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People. Formal supervision for staff has increased. However, there are still some shortfalls in the frequency and length of time of supervision. Informal supervision is in place for all staff and the manager has a detailed plan in place for ongoing formal supervision for all staff and there is a supervision matrix in place for the coming year.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The number of staff who have completed their NVQ Level 3 qualification has increased, resulting in 50% having achieved this and a further 20% awaiting assessment. In addition, remaining staff who have completed their probationary period have now been registered to commence this training.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect and promote the privacy of young people. All young people have their on bedrooms with privacy locks in place, these can be over ridden in the case of an emergency. Confidential information is stored securely and staff receive training and guidance, as part of induction training, on the promotion of confidentiality.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a complaints policy and procedure in place. Information is made available within the Statement of Purpose and the children's guide about this procedure. In addition, the complaints procedure is in a pictorial format and explained to young people appropriately. There have been no complaints made since the last inspection. Staff work positively with young people to ensure that bullying is not an issue within the home. There is detailed information for young people about bullying, both written and pictorial, and the high ratio of staffing ensures that any incidents of bullying are responded to appropriately.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive training on the promotion of welfare and safety of young people. This includes mandatory child protection training that is updated on a regular basis. The procedure for staff to follow in the case of a young person missing from home has been updated. Each young person has a detailed risk assessment and information sheet in place.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide support to the young people to develop appropriate behaviours. Sanctions made are appropriate and explained to the young people. To enable young people to contribute their views on sanctions made, they are in both written and pictorial formats. The manager monitors sanctions to ensure that they are appropriate. All staff have received training and guidance regarding behaviour management, this focuses on early intervention strategies. This includes appropriate use of physical intervention. This is only used if there is a risk of self harm or injury to other young people or staff. A pictorial format for young people regarding physical intervention has also been developed, enabling young people to understand the reason why this was used and to enable them to express their views regarding this. Staffing levels allow for intensive individual work with young people in which unacceptable social behaviour can be addressed. Young people benefit from this

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

input and staff are good role models to them.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained ensuring young people and staff are not exposed to environmental risks in the home. Regular checks are carried out on the fire prevention system and evacuations take place frequently. All staff working in the home are safe to work with young people and are subject to a range of vetting processes. All visitors to the home sign in and out and do not have unsupervised access to young people.

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.6

Recommendations

 ensure that all staff working at the home receive at least one and a half hours of one-to-one supervision from a senior member of staff each month. (NMS 28.2)

p.6