Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC037910 Inspection date 07/01/2011 Inspector Bridgette Lowe Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 08/11/2010 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 children's home is located in a residential area with close access to local amenities, shops and public transport facilities. The home can accommodate four young people from the age of 12 to 17 years who may have complex behavioural or emotional needs. It is owned by the local council and has recently undergone major refurbishment.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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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 key national minimum standards in the outcome area of staying safe and reviewed the progress and recommendations made since the last inspection. Two young people were present for part of the inspection and contributed to the inspection process.

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Summary

The home continues to ensure that young people receive an excellent level of care and protect and promote the welfare of young people to a high degree.

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Summary

There were no recommendations or regulatory actions made as a result of this inspection. The three recommendations made at the last inspection have all been completed satisfactorily.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the registered person was asked to ensure that a written record is kept by the home of all medication, treatment and first aid given to young people, giving name, date, time medication/treatment. They were asked specifically to ensure that there was consistent recording of time medication is administered (NMS 13.2). Records indicated that consistent recording of the time medication is administered now takes place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered person was also asked to ensure young people’s complaints procedure is updated to include Ofsted's details (NMS 16.5). The young people's guide has been updated and Ofsted details are now included; this is displayed on their notice boards and they each have a copy of the guide which is in a colourful format with photographs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered person was asked to ensure stringent monitoring is undertaken of medication records to ensure errors in recording times of administration are improved (NMS 33.1). Robust monitoring takes place in the form of monthly monitoring undertaken by the acting manager and staff undertake checks twice a day of medication records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The commitment of the child-centred staff team ensure that young people's welfare and safety continues to be given extremely high regard resulting in young people remaining safe in the home. Staff have a very good understanding of key child protection matters and are supported by regular training. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of the individual needs of the young people and how to appropriately safeguard them. There have been no child protection concerns since the last inspection demonstrating that the staff work extremely well to keep to young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is well respected by the staff and young people have their own private bedrooms. Alarms are fitted to young people’s rooms to prevent unauthorised entrance and monitor young people's movements at night to further safeguard them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The complaints system is clear and understood by staff and young people. Accurate records are kept of any concerns raised. An open and honest culture within the home fosters positive relationships with young people enabling them to feel comfortable with raising concerns. Ofsted's details are now present in the young people's guide and all young people have a copy to refer to. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are very proactive in dealing with any bullying issues within the home and continue to educate young people about relationships and the impact of group living. Good staff ratios ensure opportunities for bullying incidents are greatly reduced. Young people reported that bullying was not an issue within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff work extremely well in positive behaviour management and undertake appropriate training to manage challenging behaviour. Staff support young people through a restorative justice approach to promote positive behaviour. Additional support is gained from services to meet individual needs to promote positive outcomes for young people. Levels of physical interventions used within the home continue to decrease, with there being no use of physical intervention in the month of December. The positive dynamic team continue to work well in de-escalation techniques and humour to manage young people's behaviour resulting in fewer incidents and improved behaviour by young people. Young people are able to earn rewards through their personal incentives and reward targets. The acting manager spoke of further developing the incentive scheme to allow young people greater autonomy for their rewards; providing opportunities to save, budget and purchase

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear systems for reporting and recording any event where a young person has been absent without authority. Incidents of high risk behaviour are closely monitored and staff are extremely vigilant to ensure young people remain safe within and outside of the home environment. Risk assessments and records clearly detail actions to safeguard young people. It was evident that there has been a further reduction in the number of incidents due to incentive work undertaken with young people. The majority of incidents recorded usually relate to young people returning back to the home later than the agreed time. The vast majority of the time young people return home without assistance from the police; this demonstrates that young people feel safe at the home, hence returning themselves safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people continue to access the local community through a balanced risk assessment process. Positive staff ensure young people access a range of opportunities to enhance their life and provide new experiences. If young people suggest an activity or club they would like to try staff are very quick to respond to find a suitable club they could join. This demonstrates staff commitment to promote positive outcomes for the young people in their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The health and safety policies and procedures are robust. Young people and staff continue to practise the fire evacuation procedure on a monthly basis. Designated staff ensure fire safety records continue to be up to date and accurate. The home is due an annual health and safety audit in March. Previous audits confirm the home takes health and safety issues seriously and the home is a safe place for young people to live.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust staff recruitment procedures continue to provide safeguards for young people's welfare. Three new staff have been appointed since the last inspection. The staff have been appointed following the closure of one of the local authorities children's homes and have been through the thorough recruitment process.

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