Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Unique reference number SC040638 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 15/12/2010 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

The home is one of eight local authority children's homes and caters for eight young people of either gender. The home supports children and young people who present emotional and behavioural difficulties. The house is set in a residential area and is in walking distance of the local town centre and its amenities, which include a shopping centre, park and library. There are bus links near the home and there is a train station nearby.

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Brief description of the service

Five young people are currently resident in the home and three took a limited part in the inspection process, giving their views and opinions via discussions.

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Summary

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

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Summary

At this interim, unannounced inspection, all key standards under the outcome areas staying safe and economic well being were assessed. The action taken by the registered provider in response to the two recommendations made at the last inspection were also assessed. Positive action has been taken in relation to one of these recommendations, however, one recommendation regarding the need to obtain personal education plans for all young people remains incomplete and this does not fully promote the well-being of young people.

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Summary

This is a good service. Young people are cared for by a strong and competent staff team who know how to keep young people safe. The positive relationships that staff build with the young people go some way to helping young people understand the consequences of their behaviour, develop positive behaviour and progress successfully into adulthood. Some areas of the home have recently fallen into a state of disrepair despite staffs good efforts to create a homely environment for young people to enjoy. Positive action is being taken in this area in order to improve young people's well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered provider was asked to ensure that written permission is obtained and retained on file for the administration of first aid and appropriate non-prescription medication. Although this information is not yet held on file, the home has made good efforts to obtain this information from placing social workers and these steps help to promote young people's health and well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered provider was also asked to ensure any missing individual education plans are obtained from placing social workers or schools that young people attend. Not all young people have an education plan on file and this does not fully promote their education. Education plans are, however, on file for other young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people think that they are treated with respect by staff and know that information about them will be treated confidentially. A young person said 'they don't talk about young people's private business in front of others'. The gender mix of staff matches that of the young people and staff are sensitive to gender issues. This includes being sensitive to young people's feeling when going clothes shopping. Room searches occur when staff have valid concerns and these are done sensitively. There are good systems in place for handling complaints and this helps young people to know that their concerns will be treated seriously. Young people are given information about how to make a complaint in the guide to the home. There have been no complaints made regarding the home since the last inspection. There are effective policies and procedures, which are understood by staff, in relation to child protection that help to keep young people safe. This includes staff training in this

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not a major problem in this home. Staff are clear about their role in protecting young people from bullying and stress that any level of bullying will be challenged. The current staffing levels allow adequate staff monitoring and this helps to ensure that any bullying will be known by staff. The positive relationships that exist between staff and young people also helps to ensure that young people have an adult to seek help from should bullying occur. Staff respond well to young people who go missing from the home. This includes searching for the young people and reporting them missing to the police, local authority and any other relevant people. Records are maintained of young people's physical appearances so that this information can be given to the police to help them locate young people. These measures all contribute to keeping young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The arrangements for behaviour management in this home are very good. Punishments are used fairly and help young people learn about the consequences of their behaviour. Clear care plans and risk assessments are in place and there is good communication between staff and this helps to ensure that young people benefit from consistency in their care. Restraint is used as a last resort and all staff have received training in safe restraint techniques and this helps to keep both staff and young people safe from harm. Young people live in a safe environment and have their safety protected through good health and safety arrangements. There are regular checks on the fire alarm and regular fire drills. Fire fighting equipment is situated around the home and is regularly checked. Staff understand their roles in fire safety as there is training in this area. There are robust staff recruitment policies and procedures which help to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

young people are employed to work in the home. No new staff members have been employed since the last inspection.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people receive good care and support which helps them prepare for adulthood. This includes staff liaising with other relevant professionals, such as staff from Connexions and placing social workers, regarding young people's future. Young people are supported with practical things such as driving lessons, training and education, and housing. Staff also work well with young people in helping them to develop realistic expectations about the future.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff work hard to try and create a homely and well maintained environment for young people to enjoy. Despite this, recent financial restraints have led to some areas of the home falling into a state of disrepair. This includes the poor decoration of the entrance hall, landings and dining room, including some graffiti, graffiti on bedroom furniture, broken picture frames, cracked paint and plaster around a toilet door, a broken sofa in the games room and a fire burnt carpet on the upstairs landing. Currently, these issues mean that young people do not benefit from living in a pleasant environment and this does not help them to feel respect for the home. However, funding has been received to put these issues right and the Registered Manager is clear this will occur prior to the end of March 2011. Further more, staff work hard to encourage young people to respect the home and to put some issues right where they can. Maintenance issues are handled well. A broken toilet seat

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Achieving economic wellbeing

discovered on the day of this inspection was reported for repair immediately and a broken fire door was being made good soon after being broken. There is a very large well maintained garden and good levels of cleanliness. Young people are given opportunities to be involved in choosing the décor for their bedrooms and this helps to ensure that their views and wishes are respected.

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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 any outstanding individual education plans are obtained from placing social workers or schools that young people attend. (NMS 14.2)

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