Children's Home run by Fairfield Residential Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC397987 Inspection date 10/02/2011 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 12/05/2010 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

This home provides accommodation for up to two children with learning difficulties.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is a semi-detached property comprising fenced gardens to the front and rear of the premises, a garage which has been converted for use as an office and a utility room. Inside on the ground floor there is a lounge, kitchen-diner and downstairs toilet. There are three bedrooms and a bathroom including a toilet, bath and shower. The property has been completely refurbished; it is suitable for purpose and indistinguishable from surrounding properties. The home is close to all amenities and public transport. One young person was present and contributed to the inspection.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This was an unannounced full inspection of this home. The purpose of the visit is to assess all key standards in the staying safe section of the service. Also to monitor how the requirement and recommendations made at the time of the last inspection have been addressed.

p.4

Summary

This is a good service which was able to demonstrate that they keep young people safe. There is a dedicated staff team that know the individual needs of the young people well. Young people appear to be happy and settled in the placement and they are able to communicate many of their needs to staff through a variety of communication strategies.

p.4

Summary

To further improve the safety of young people written records of complaints need to be more detailed and written consent should be obtained in respect of the use of surveillance. The Registered Manager should ensure that staff follow the visitors policy in practice and that all staff receive training in safeguarding. Staff do, however, know how to respond to any matters of concern in practice so this has little impact upon young people currently. The service has a good record of compliance and prompt attention to meet any actions and recommendations.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection one requirement was issued in respect of revising the behaviour management policy to include how the use of restrictive equipment, such as the use of a harness in vehicles is used, this is now included in the policy. Two recommendations were also issued in respect of obtaining the local area safeguarding policy and having a development plan in place, both of these matters have been fully addressed.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has good policies in place to promote the safety of young people placed. Information is stored and managed in a confidential manner. Young people have access to a telephone. The home has not had to undertake any room searches. Young people have placement plans which identify how intimate needs are to be met by the staff in the home and policies are in place to ensure that young people's privacy and dignity are maintained.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home occasionally uses surveillance in respect of a baby monitor, to monitor young people whilst sleeping, particularly where they may have a seizure during the night. It is clear that the rationale for the use of the monitors is in respect of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It is not clear how a balance is struck between the need to use the monitor and young people's need for privacy and written consent has not been obtained from the parents and placing authorities.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information about complaints is included in the Statement of Purpose and children's guide for the home, they also include contact details for Ofsted. There is a good complaints procedure in place and the home maintains records of any complaints. However, the record does not include the investigation and outcome of all complaints and does not indicate whether or not the complainant is satisfied with the outcome.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clear about their responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people, they have read and demonstrate understanding of the policies of the organisation. There are copies of the policies on site including the whistle blowing policy and local area safeguarding policy. Not all of the staff have undertaken safeguarding training. There is an on call system by which staff can contact senior managers in the organisation if there were any concerns.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying and absence without authority are not problematic in this home due to the complex needs of the young people and high staffing levels. There are good policies and procedures in place and careful consideration is given to matching and managing individual placements.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour through encouragement of acceptable behaviour and constructive staff response to inappropriate behaviour. Staff know the needs of young people and which communication strategies work well with them. There have been no sanctions or restraints, other than the use of a harness in the vehicle for safety purposes. The frequency in respect of the use of the harness has reduced, staff are clear about the use of it and good records are made of why and when it is used, these are regularly monitored by the manager of the home and the Regulation 33 visitor. Many of the staff have undertaken training in behaviour management other staff are booked to undertake the training in the next few weeks.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to keep children, staff and visitors safe from the risk from fire and other hazards. There are regular fire evacuations and an up to date risk assessment is in place. There is certificated maintenance of all equipment including fire, electrical installation and the gas boiler and the home has a public liability certificate on display. No hazards are identified during the course of this inspection.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff files have been inspected at this and another home in the organisation, they have the required information to demonstrate safe staff recruitment. The organisation have a good visitors policy in place, however, this was not followed by staff at the time of this visit.

p.6

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.7

Std. Action Due date

16 ensure that a written record is made in relation to the action taken in response to any complaint and the outcome of the investigation (Regulation 24 (5)) 31/03/2011

p.7

Std. Action Due date

9 ensure that written consent is obtained from placing authorities in respect of the use of baby monitors for surviellance purposes. (Regulation 22 (a)(b)(c)(d)) 31/03/2011

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.7

Recommendations

 ensure staff follow the visitors policy in practice (NMS 27.11)  ensure that staff have undertaken training in safeguarding. (NMS 17.8)

p.7