Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC059037 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Lucy Ansell Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 20/07/2010 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 registered children's home offering 24-hour care and support to young people of either sex aged between 13 and 17 years of age. Referrals are considered for young people experiencing severe emotional and behavioural difficulties, who have a record of offending behaviour, drug and alcohol problems, mild forms of disability and those requiring assessment for specialist placements.

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Brief description of the service

A maximum of four young people can be accommodated at any one time and the home seeks to provide medium to long-term placements. Whilst the home advocates the positive aspects of planned placements, emergency referrals are also considered when appropriate.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a four bed, semi-detached property situated within walking distance of the town centre and local amenities, including shops, a cinema, GP surgery, schools and colleges which are all within easy reach.

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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. The focus of the inspection was to look at staying safe and assess whether the previous recommendations and actions had been met. All outcomes were inspected. Young people's welfare is enhanced by much better relationships with staff and good safeguarding measures now being put into place. Good quality leadership and effective monitoring and quality assurance has improved the home and the outcomes for the young people who live there.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home had six previous actions and seven recommendations and these have been looked at under each outcome heading. They had all been met and are now helping to safeguard the young people. The home now has a clear picture of the young persons' needs and good quality recording on the paperwork has ensured effective delivery. The new manager has been able to identify the weaknesses in the service and with good monitoring and quality assurance checks in place has ensured the home is moving forward and has met the requirements in legislation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Every young person is registered with local core health services, including a GP, dentist and optician, as soon as they move into the home. A separate health plan is maintained for each individual, and its format enables staff to write clear health objectives.

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Helping children to be healthy

Prescribed medication is securely stored and clear records of incoming and outgoing stock provides good safeguards. All staff have received first aid training and the home is ensuring sufficient staff are now trained in medication administration. The homely remedies and medication book which records all administrations made and the individual medication sheets evidence robust recording.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home actively promotes the rights of young people by ensuring that their privacy is respected and information is confidentially handled. Young people's records are appropriately stored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear policies and procedures are established for dealing with complaints. Staff support young people to raise any issues of concern openly and the process of making a complaint is clearly understood by them. Young people feel comfortable in raising any concerns. The home has received one complaint since the last inspection made to Ofsted but this was not upheld.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe environment where their welfare is promoted and they are protected from abuse. All staff cover child protection awareness at their induction. All staff receive ongoing child protection training from their company and have accessed the local authorities training. There are clear company procedures and systems that are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A bullying log has been established by the home, along with clear policies and procedures. The issue of bullying is also covered during young people's meetings and is also referred to within the Young People's Guide. Staff take prompt action to deal with any incidents of bullying, but at present this is not an issue in the house. Appropriate systems are in place for recording and reporting if young people go absent without consent. Staff are clear on what action to take and keep in contact with the young people if they absent themselves without authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff assist young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour through the reinforcement of clear boundaries and positive behaviour incentives. Staff provide a consistent and fair approach to young people's inappropriate behaviour and maintain good relationships with them, within appropriate boundaries. Staff are trained in the management of conflict and resolution. The appropriate log books were seen and the home has low levels of physical interventions but higher sanctions. Sanctions now tend to be restorative with individuals paying for any damages accrued or having to attend a key working session to reflect and take responsibility for their actions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to keep young people and staff in the home safe through regular review and update of environmental and fire risk assessments. Fire tests are undertaken and equipment is serviced at regular intervals. Service certificates are kept up to date. Health and safety audits are routinely undertaken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The company has robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure the protection of young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Care plans detail the educational arrangements in place and young people are supported to access the provision which best suits their needs. All files now hold the personal education plan for that young person.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people enjoy positive relationships with their key workers, and key working sessions are happening on a regular basis. Individual outings are frequently used for effective key working time, whereby staff are able to spend uninterrupted time with a young person.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's placement plans include assessments and details of how individual needs are to be met. Young people are encouraged to be involved in the development of their plan of care. Formal reviews are undertaken and young people are enabled to contribute to and attend reviews. The paperwork within the home is being reviewed regularly but this is not within the prescribed timescales. Young people are enabled to maintain constructive contact with families and friends. Agreements in place are detailed in young people's files and clear contact records are now being recorded.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Throughout the course of this visit, young people were observed to be making full use of the premises. They are very comfortable in their immediate surroundings and clearly view it as their home. The company has improved the communal space downstairs with two extra rooms, the purpose of these being for a meeting room and for laundry facilities. Each young person is supported to open a savings account and their bedrooms and clothing clearly reflect their own unique tastes and preferences. The pocket money and clothing allowance sheets are now being completed, signed for in accordance with company procedures and regularly monitored.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Evidence supports the home promoting staff awareness of issues of discrimination, through company policies, training and the home's discussions. Working practices show that each young person is a valued individual with the right to respect and a positive self image.

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Organisation

Young people are looked after by a staff team who are trained and competent to meet their needs. Staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisal. There are team meetings each month to ensure staff are fully informed and are working consistently with children. All new staff receive an in-depth induction programme and staff are supported and encouraged to develop their knowledge and skill base by attending a range of training.

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Organisation

The home is committed to providing sufficient staff on duty to meet the individual and collective needs of the young people accommodated. The home provides up to three members of staff on duty throughout the waking day with two members of staff sleeping-in each night. These staffing levels do not include those hours worked by the manager, and would be increased if the staff child ratio necessitated this.

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Organisation

The Registered Manager carries out weekly and monthly monitoring reviews on the quality of care in the home. Along with comprehensive Regulation 33 reports this ensures clear direction for the home, and the manager is clear about what areas need improvement. The home provides a good record of the children's needs, development and progress.

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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 the home undertakes regular reviews of each child's placement plan (Regulation 12)

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