Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Unique reference number SC033657 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 19/10/2010 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 children's home provides care and accommodation for five young people of either sex between the ages of 15 and 17 years. The home provides medium to long term care for young people who are being prepared for independence. It is a detached house located on a housing estate within reach of the city centre and with access to local community and leisure facilities.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of this inspection there were three young people in the home and two gave their views at the inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check on the progress of meeting the recommendation made at the last inspection and to ensure that young people are kept safe.

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Summary

This home continues to offer a good standard of care to young people, some of whom have some complex needs. This is a well maintained home creating a homely environment for the young people. Staff work with the young people to help them develop their independence skills in preparation for them living independently, although the majority of young people move to a semi-independent living accommodation.

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Summary

A minor recommendation was made at this inspection relating to the recording of complaints.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has fully met the recommendation made at the last inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Detailed impact risk assessments are undertaken on any young person referred to the home; assessing the impact their admission will have on them and also other young people placed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's files are kept securely to ensure confidentiality. All the young people have a mobile telephone and the home provides a top-up to enable them to make calls in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are provided with information on how to make a complaint and confirm that they know how to do this. A number of minor complaints have been recorded, although the outcome in one case has not been detailed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have received safeguarding training and have a good awareness of safeguarding issues, including how to help young people keep themselves safe when using the internet. All young people are provided with a mobile telephone to enable staff to contact them when they are away from the home. The home has links with organisations that work with the young people on a number of issues, for example sexual health, drugs, alcohol and raising their awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Any incidents of bullying is addressed by staff, who encourage the more vulnerable young people to talk to the staff if they feel under pressure from their peers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Some young people persistently fail to return to the home on a regular basis. Although staff have some idea where these individuals are they do not have addresses. The home liaises closely with the missing person's police coordinator to try and establish the whereabouts of these young people. There are clear records on when young people return to the home or are sited to ensure regular contact is maintained. The home will telephone individuals when they fail to return when expected. Individual protocols are in place giving guidance to the staff on what action they should take when a young person fails to return to the home when expected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

One sanction has been recorded since the last inspection, this was appropriate and young people are encouraged to make comment. Each young person has an individual crisis management plan identifying anticipated behaviours with strategies to manage these behaviours, this ensures a consistent approach. Staff have a good approach in working with young people, who think staff treat them fairly and listen to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place for each young person, the premises and activities identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise this risk. Fire records are in good order with drills held regularly including at night to ensure all know what action to take in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The identity of all visitors is checked to ensure that only authorised people have access to the home.

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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 the outcome of all complaints is recorded. (NMS 16.3)

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