Children's Home run by Cove Care – Residential Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC397933 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Julian Parker Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 23/08/2010 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

This small children's home offers placements for two young people who may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium to long-term care placements. The home's programme of care generally incorporates a structured balance of education, recreation and therapeutic interventions tailored to meet individual needs although the small scale of the home permits sufficient flexibility to adjust to changing placement circumstances.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Care is provided in a terraced cottage-style house in a semi-urban location. It has the benefit of easy access to the comprehensive range of recreational and leisure amenities locally and in the expanding new town. The house has been modernised and refurbished to offer a good quality living environment with individual rooms for young people.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This was a unannounced interim inspection. Up to two young people can live at the home but only one person was resident and present during this visit, who made a limited contribution to the inspection finding. The inspection focused principally on the Staying Safe outcome area and reviewing the actions and recommendations arising from the last inspection.

p.4

Summary

The home is judged as good. There are many examples of good practice that ensure that young people are looked after safely through receipt of care that is sufficiently flexible to adapt to individual development and changing behavioural needs. The care being provided is effective in addressing behaviour and promoting health and well-being.

p.4

Summary

The registered person provides competent direction and leadership to an enthusiastic, trained staff team thereby enabling a good quality of care provision. Staff are clear about their roles and are consistent in carrying out their responsibilities for addressing the care needs of young people.

p.4

Summary

No actions or recommendations have been made by this inspection

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the registered provider was required to ensure that regular fire evacuation drills were carried out and to ensure that all staff received the prescribed length of supervision. Arrangements for children to see an independent person after unauthorised absences was also recommended. On this visit all these matters are found to have been competently addressed by the registered person.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff show respect for the privacy of young people and for maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality. Young people are aware of the situations in which staff need to share information with other professionals. The home has a clear complaints procedure and information about this is available to young people in their guide. Staff take seriously the concerns and complaints of young people. Young people know how to make a complaint and although the present resident has not needed to formally complain staff are aware of how to address concerns in accordance with directions should they arise. Procedures are also in place to receive concerns from third parties. The registered person responds effectively and comprehensively to all concerns raised in this way thereby reinforcing the quality assurance of practice.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respond in a prescribed way to any allegations or serious concerns about young people's safety. The home has clear procedures for reporting and responding to child protection concerns and has links with the local safeguarding team. Training for staff in child protection is updated regularly. The manager monitors all child protection concerns and keeps appropriate records. This ensures that everyone who needs to know about specific concerns is kept informed of what actions are taken and their outcomes.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an anti- bullying policy in the home that staff and young people are aware of. Young people are informed about the policy in their welcome pack and confirm that know what to do if bullying were to occur in the home. The home records confirm this practice. Staff have received training about dealing with bullying behaviour during their induction period which informs workplace practice.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a written procedure for action when young people go absent without authority. Staff will actively look for young people where this is appropriate. They will arrange to collect young people whose whereabouts are known and welcome home any young person upon return. Young people can, if they choose to, speak with an independent person about the reasons they may have for going absent from the home.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff base their management of behaviour principally on the encouragement and reward of acceptable behaviour. Young people know the house rules and what acceptable standards of behaviour are. Young people are made aware of the house rules prior to and on admission to the home. Sanctions and restraints are rarely used and very few have been recorded for the young people currently in placement.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home notifies all those persons and appropriate authorities listed in Schedule 5 of any significant event that has occurred. Where required and in accordance with individual care plans, parents and other significant people in the lives of young people are also informed. Sanctions and restraints are recorded appropriately and include detail of reparation for deliberate damage caused and in some cases where appropriate a small financial contribution toward costs. On occasion privileges have been withdrawn for short periods of time. The use of specific sanctions is monitored by the manager to see if there is any positive effect on the behaviours of young people. Young people can make comment upon receiving sanctions. There is a points-based reward system in place and young people confirmed by their behavioural trends that this encourages good behaviour.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are risk assessments for all aspects of safety within the home. Risk assessments are taken into account when planning daily activities indoors and for trips and outings. All staff and young people are given fire safety instructions and there is a good awareness of fire safety in the home. Improvements have been made to evacuation procedures. Fire drills are carried out regularly and detailed records are kept. The home has appropriate levels of insurance cover. The vetting of staff and visitors is comprehensive and thorough. Previous inspection of recruitment records confirm that all appropriate checks are carried out prior to a member of staff being confirmed in post.

p.6