Children's Home run by McRae Residential Care Services Limited in Croydon

Unique reference number SC025813 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Caroline Wilson 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 home provides a service for young males from all communities who are in the process of preparing to move on to semi-independence, with a specific emphasis on providing culturally sensitive care to young black males. The service can cater for up to a maximum of eight young people, who each have their own bedroom and share the other communal facilities of the house. The service is located in an area that provides access to leisure, community and transport facilities. The managing company also operates a registered school, which is in an adjacent property, and a fostering unit. The younger people placed at the unit may have access to these additional services. This children’s unit also now provides an education resource at the unit called the Nurture Group.

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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 focused on how well this home kept young people safe as well as checking whether the action set at the last inspection had been met.

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Summary

Overall, this home does a good job of promoting and safeguarding the welfare of young people placed. Safeguarding systems are robust, specifically regarding the variety and quality of training offered to staff. In addition, complaints from young people are taken seriously and acted upon within relevant timescales. Staff view young people in a positive light and take time to have discussions with young people about the behaviours that are expected of them, particularly in relation to matters such as respecting others.

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Summary

There are systems in place to ensure that the home is free from hazards and health and safety checks are undertaken in accordance with relevant timescales. However, the records relating to weekly fire checks do not evidence that this is undertaken in accordance with relevant timescales. An action is made in respect of this.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An action was set at the last inspection that records of fire drills need to be recorded. This has been met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in homes that provide physical safety and security. Checks, such as the gas safety and electrical installation, are undertaken in accordance with relevant timescales. However, weekly fire checks have been undertaken, but records of these have not been appropriately recorded. Records of fire drills are recorded and are kept up to date.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is taken seriously and the home has a zero tolerance stance in respect of this. Records evidence that staff respond immediately to and make effective responses to any allegations made in relation to bullying in order to keep young people safe. Young people who are bullied can also escalate their complaint to the next stage if they are unhappy with the initial outcome. 'Teen Talk' meetings are used as a forum in which the implications of bullying others are discussed so that young people are aware of the behaviours that are expected of them. Similarly, staff have regular discussions with young people about the consequences of breaking house rules and their behaviour towards others. As a consequence, sanctions are used as a last resort. Where sanctions are given, these are relative to the rule that has been broken. Young people are provided with the opportunity to earn additional financial bonuses for displaying positive behaviours. Restraints are only used in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

instances where there is risk to the young person, others or property. Appropriate records are kept in respect of these.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are kept safe by reporting procedures relating to young people who are missing. The home reports young people who are missing in accordance with relevant local procedures. The home keeps in regular telephone contact with young people who are absent without permission, to monitor the level of risk to the young people. Young people are treated positively on their return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Staff knock on young people's bedroom doors and announce themselves before entering; the exception being in an emergency situation. Information about young people is managed confidentially and held securely in the office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff give a high priority to protecting young people from harm. Staff understand fully their responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. Young people attend regular training in relation to a number of safeguarding issues, including those at risk of sexual exploitation, so that they are knowledgeable on a range of issues that promote the welfare of young people. Staff state that the quality of this training is excellent and is thought provoking for staff who are both experienced and new to the field of safeguarding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear complaints procedure that is easily accessible to young people. All complaints are taken seriously and handled in accordance within relevant timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has systems in place to ensure that visitors to the home are suitably checked and supervised in order to protect young people.

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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.

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Std. Action Due date

29 ensure that records of weekly fire checks are kept up to date (Regulation 29 (1) ) 31/03/2011

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