Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

Unique reference number SC033367 Inspection date 13/01/2011 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 25/05/2010 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 can accommodate six young people aged 10 to 17 years. It is a home for young people who are vulnerable, and for different reasons are unable to live with their families. The home is a purpose built two storey detached house run by the local authority.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The first floor of the house has individual children's bedrooms with hand wash basins, bathroom, toilets and shower room. The ground floor has a lounge, kitchen with dining area, utility room, computer room, staff office and manager's office. A conservatory at the rear of the house provides an additional lounge area. There is an enclosed grassed garden to the rear and front of the house. To the side of the house is driveway with car parking for several cars. The home is approximately 10 minutes bus ride from the town centre. There are general shops at the end of the road and the home is on a bus route. A secondary school is in walking distance and leisure facilities, such as the cinema and swimming baths are a bus ride away.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the recommendation made at the last inspection. This related to the improving the complaints procedure. Staying Safe was inspected. Being Healthy, Enjoying and Achieving, Positive Contribution, Economic Wellbeing and Organisation were not looked at during this inspection.

p.4

Summary

The approach to safeguarding at the home is good and staff are clearly aware of their responsibilities. Staff are expected to be trained in child protection awareness and behaviour management. However, not all staff have completed safeguarding training. Staff work with the young people to ensure that any behaviour concerns including bullying is dealt with using the restorative system. This promotes the involvement of the young people to have a greater awareness of their behaviour and how this impacts on the victim of bullying. The safety of the young people is enhanced through the robust recruitment process.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to improve the information included in complaints records to ensure that complainants could comment on the outcome of a complaint. The manager has taken appropriate steps to meet this recommendation.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of and respect the right of the young people to their privacy. It is standard practice for staff to knock on bedroom doors and wait for a response. Young people can additionally enjoy private time with friends and family in the spacious lounge, games room and conservatory. A pay phone is available for young people to make telephone calls in private. All records are kept in the main office in secure conditions and staff have a clear understanding of their responsibility to ensure information is treated confidentially.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a complaints procedure in place and young people are confident that any complaint they make will be treated seriously. Support is available for young people who wish to make a complaint and the children's rights service will ensure that any support required is provided. Leaflets informing young people about the complaints procedure are available and these leaflets are included in the welcome pack given to young people when they are admitted to the home. A written response on the outcome of any complaint is given to the complainant.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a very good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Safeguarding training in child protection awareness is mandatory. However, records indicate that a new member of staff has not completed any child protection training since commencing work at the home. Young people say that they feel safe living at this home and confirm that staff act in a professional manner towards them.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff monitor unusual behaviour between the young people that may indicate bullying taking place. They are aware that bullying is a risk among some young people living in a communal setting. Staff manage the situation by working with the young person identified as the bully and using the restorative justice approach to engage with the bully and victim. This is very good practice.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a risk assessment in place for individual young people who are likely to go absent without authority. A protocol is also in place with the local police. These measures are intended to promote the safety of young people and staff are aware of the procedures to follow.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff base their management of behaviour on discussion using restorative justice practice. Behaviour management is based on trust and dialogue with the young people. Staff are positive and committed to using the restorative approach. They work with the young people to encourage socially acceptable behaviour Although trained in restraint, this practice is only used to defuse difficult confrontational situations.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has appropriate risk assessments in place, to ensure the safety of the young people and staff. All required checks of safety appliances have been carried out and fire drills are regularly practised. All activities outside of the home are risk assessed and staff demonstrate a good approach to their responsibilities to keep the young people safe. These measures promote the safety of staff and young people.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home follows the council's recruitment and selection policy. This ensures that candidates for work are not permitted to take up a post in the home, until all required clearance checks have been received. The staff appointment process involves young people being part of the selection process. Their views are considered in the final selection of the person to be appointed to a post in the home. This is very good practice and demonstrates a positive approach to equality and diversity.

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the provision of training for all staff in the prevention of abuse, recognition of abuse, dealing with disclosures or suspicions of abuse, and the home's child protection procedures. (NMS 17.8)

p.6