Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025739 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Mark Kersh Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 13/10/2010 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

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people of either gender, aged from six-years-old up to 17-years-old. Children and young people are supported to stay at the home until they move into more independent accommodation.

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Brief description of the service

The property is a four bedroom, detached house in a quiet residential area. The first floor of the home has individual bedrooms for children and young people, a bathroom, a staff sleep-in room and office. On the ground floor is the kitchen with a dining area, utility room, playroom, lounge, shower room and another staff sleep-in room and office. At the rear of the house is a car parking area and a separate garden, with a lawn and raised bed for growing vegetables. To the front is an enclosed garden and some on-street parking. The home is close to all public amenities and schools are within walking distance.

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Brief description of the service

There are two young people resident at the home. One young person was present for part of the inspection visit and participated in the inspection process.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection and the national minimum standards relating to the outcome area of staying safe were inspected. Recommendations following the last inspection were also examined.

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Summary

This is a good quality service that provides young people with a safe and caring environment in which to develop. There is an experienced and competent staff team that work together to promote the safety and well-being of young people. Young people 'feel safe' here and comment that it is 'like a proper home'.

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Summary

There are no recommendations or actions required following this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the Registered Manager was required to act and make improvements to the service. One action and one recommendation was made and both have been addressed. The Statement of Purpose has been updated to include detailed information of the staff team and young people are encouraged to record and sign their views on records pertaining to disciplinary measures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's right to privacy and confidentiality. Young people have their own bedrooms with lockable doors that can be overridden in case of an emergency; furthermore, staff gain permission before entering. All documentation is stored securely and young people have access to a private telephone. This affords value and dignity to young people. There is a policy in place for undertaking room searches pertaining to the individual needs of young people, although there have been no instances necessitating this since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an accessible complaints procedure and written records available for complaints received; there have been no complaints since the last inspection. Staff are proactive in promoting young people's right to complain and young people understand fully how to raise any dissatisfaction. Young people know how to access children's rights officers and advocates if necessary. Staff view complaints positively, which encourages young people to express their views.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a policy in respect of anti-bullying that is reinforced throughout the activities within the home to ensure that children feel safe and secure. There is an established and experienced core staff team that allows for close relationships with young people. This provides the opportunity for staff to act promptly if any incidents do occur, minimising the potential for bullying. Staff and children report no incidents of bullying in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding procedures are in place and provide clear guidance on how a member of staff should respond to any concerns or disclosures of abuse. All staff receive safeguarding training and records show that they have a good knowledge of how to put this into practice. Staff work together with other agencies to promote the protection and welfare of young people. The young people commented that they 'feel safe' living in the home and that it is 'like a proper home'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people are absent from the home without permission, trained staff follow the home's procedure, which is in line with the local police protocol. There are no current issues with the resident young people and staff are fully aware of who to notify in respect of any significant event.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive guidance and training in positive behaviour management strategies and all recordings of sanctions and physical interventions are appropriate, reviewed regularly and include the opportunity for young people to record their views. Placement plans, risk assessments and incident reports correlate to provide a robust mechanism for responding to young people's changing needs for safety and protection. Young people are supported to develop positive behaviour through the fostering of relationships with staff and the emphasis upon reward and praise; any physical intervention is used only as a last resort. These practices encourage stability for young people and minimise the potential for placement disruption.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has systems in place to ensure all necessary health and safety and fire checks are carried out regularly. Fire drills are conducted by staff with young people. These steps ensure young people, staff and visitors are safe from the risk from fire. Written risk assessments for the environment and young people are in date and show strategies for staff to follow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment and vetting procedures are in place that help safeguard young people from potential risks of unsafe persons. A rigorous recruitment process, Criminal Records Bureau and reference checks are all undertaken before any appointment of staff is made. Staff are subject to an induction process and probationary period of work to ensure the fitness of the practitioner in providing care to young people. Records of visitors are maintained and identification is requested where appropriate to ensure the safety of young people.

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