Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC390785 Inspection date 13/01/2011 Inspector Liz Driver Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/07/2010 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

A private company owns and operates this children's home which also provides education on site. It is registered to accommodate three children of either sex from ten years to 17 years at any one time who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties

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Brief description of the service

The setting is a detached house. the ground floor has a lounge, kitchen, dining room and staff office. There are three bedrooms for young people and one staff sleeping in room on the first floor. Toilets are located on the ground and first floors with a bathroom on the first floor. On the second floor there are two staff sleeping in rooms. The garden is a good size with a grassed area and barbeque.

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Brief description of the service

Three young people currently live in this home of whom one was present during this inspection and contributed briefly.

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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 interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the two recommendations made at the last inspection and the two actions made as a result of a complaint investigation carried out since the last inspection. These related to physical intervention training, supervision of bank staff, fire drills and key worker sessions. All these areas have been suitably addressed by the Registered Manager.

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Summary

All key standards of staying safe were looked at and parts of economic wellbeing and organisation were also looked at. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving and positive contribution were not looked at during this inspection.

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Summary

The setting continues to operate to a high standard with ever improving outcomes for young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the Registered Manager was asked to ensure all staff participate in four fire drills a year. Staff now participate in at least four drills a year. The registered manager was also asked to ensure all young people receive regular key worker sessions that are recorded. All young people now receive regular sessions that are recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of a complaint investigation since the last inspection two actions were made. The Registered Manager was asked to ensure all staff receive appropriate training around the chosen method of physical intervention used by the organisation. This has been addressed and all staff now have received appropriate training. The Registered Manager was also asked that all staff receive appropriate supervision specifically bank staff. A new system has been put in place where all bank staff now receive regular supervision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and confidentiality is respected. Both staff and young people are given clear guidelines around these areas of practice and deliver them to a high standard. All confidential information is securely stored in the home's office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are given a copy of the home's complaints procedure and feel confident in using it. The manager responds to any complaint in accordance with the company's robust complaints procedures. Ofsted has investigated one complaint since the last inspection that was dealt with professionally and in a timely manner by the manager and senior staff in the organisation, with good outcomes. Staff are very well informed of the organisations' whistle blowing policy. Staff assist young people in voicing their complaints to external agencies, including placing local authorities. Complaints are closely monitored by senior managers in the company.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has very clear procedures for responding to child protection and safeguarding concerns. Staff work in accordance with the company's own policy that works alongside the policy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Child protection training is provided to staff who are very well informed of their responsibilities and are confident in making referrals. Records kept are comprehensive and very detailed. The practice in the setting is underpinned by the senior members of staff in the organisation providing support to the manager to ensure that all young people are protected. The commitment, communication and awareness shown by the organisation in protecting young people is excellent. Staff work hard with young people to give them skills to keep themselves safe when out in the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is taken seriously with behaviour management plans in place that provide clear guidance for staff. The response and approach to bullying is made clear to young people on admission and during key worker sessions and house meetings. Staff are very aware of group dynamics in the home and manage young people's interactions very well. Currently there are no concerns around bullying behaviour at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has written information for staff to follow if they go missing or leave the home without permission. There is clear guidance as to whether it is an authorised or unauthorised absence. Staff work closely with the local police to implement missing children protocols. Incidents of young people absent without authority are rigorously monitored. The number of incidents remain very low.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has complied without fail to notify the persons and appropriate authorities, listed in Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations, of all significant events that have occurred. There has been three notifications since the last inspection evidencing the excellent work being done to improve and change young people's behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has a comprehensive behaviour management plan in place. These outline what support they need in achieving positive behaviour, what may distress them and what agreed reward and sanctions are in place. Excellent outcomes have been achieved and continue with the current young people to turn difficult behaviours around. Records of sanctions and physical interventions are recorded to a high standard, although only one physical intervention has taken place since November 2009 and the number of sanctions given are very low. The practice of dealing with challenging behaviour and conflict resolution is carried out to a high standard. Staff work hard to gain positive relationships with young people and provide a warm and caring environment where they feel at ease to express themselves with the knowledge that staff are consistently supportive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's health and safety procedures are robust and protect all who live and work in the setting. Regular checks are carried out of the fittings and equipment used in the home and the premises are very well maintained. The home has a qualified fire marshal who carries out all fire checks on a very regular basis. Records of fire drills show that young people and staff know the emergency evacuation procedure for the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No staff records were viewed at this inspection however the organisation continues to have a thorough recruitment process that ensures all necessary checks are completed prior to a member of staff starting work. Young people are actively involved in the recruitment process and are encouraged to give feedback to the recruitment panel carrying out the formal interviews, after they have met the applicants. The vetting of visitors is robust with very good records kept.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people benefit from living in a house that is a good size with a garden. It is very well maintained and young people are in general respectful of their surroundings. The company's designated maintenance team respond quickly to any request or repair. Furnishings and fittings are of a high quality. Young people are able to have a say in the choice of furnishings and fittings and are able to personalise their own bedrooms. Two young people have recently had their bedrooms redecorated and were given a clear choice around colours. Staff sleeping in rooms have also been redecorated. Toilets and bathrooms are of a good standard and sufficient in number. The home has a car for staff to transport young people.

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Organisation

Since the last inspection the manager has successfully completed the registration process with Ofsted. She shows clear and strong leaderships skills and gains respect from both staff and young people. As a result of a complaint investigation carried out by Ofsted since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has addressed the two actions made with good outcomes.

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Organisation

There are robust procedures in place for the Registered Manager to monitor the practices and records at the setting. This is supported by comprehensive and high standard regulation 33 reports; submitted to Ofsted without fail.

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Organisation

Staffing levels continue to be of a very good level and staff receive appropriate training through a highly organised training programme.

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