Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC390156 Inspection date 18/02/2011 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/04/2010 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 is a children's home for two young people between 5 years and 17 years. It is located just outside a small seaside town. This home is built on two storeys and in 2009 underwent a major refurbishment.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The children’s home is currently is not providing accommodation for children and young people. Our inspections use evidence found at the time of inspection and include users’ views about the service. As the evidence available when there are no children and young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection; the purpose of this inspection is to decide that should an admission be made the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard.

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Summary

Our findings confirm that the service is able to provide a satisfactory standard of care and accommodation when children and young people move in.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was previously asked to ensure that Regulation 33 and 34 inspection and monitoring was in place. Regulation 33 visits are now in place and maintained, however Regulation 34 monitoring is not possible due to the home being inoperative.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were also made to ensure guidance was provided to staff supervising contact. Guidance also needed to evidence planning and review for emergency admissions. The provider was also asked to improve supervision practices along with training schedules to ensure that suitably trained staff were available in the home. The provider was asked to ensure that suitable planning and support for independence was available for young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Due to the inoperative status of the home, it is not possible for the provider to demonstrate effectively that action has been taken to meet these recommendations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Adequate policies, procedures, training and guidance are provided by the home to ensure young people's needs can be met within this outcome group. A bank of staff are available with relevant training to manage the home in the event of a new admission.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are suitable procedures and documents, including health plans, to promote young people’s physical and emotional health. Suitable guidance and advice literature is available for young people to promote healthy lifestyles. There are suitable policies, procedures and documents for administering, storing and disposing medication safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Adequate policies, procedures, training and guidance are provided by the home to ensure young people's needs can be met within this outcome group. A bank of staff are available with relevant training to manage the home in the event of a new admission. The home provides training for staff along with policies to ensure staff respect young people's rights to privacy, confidentiality and freedom. The home maintains a clear complaints procedure for young people and information about complaints is outlined within the young people's guide. Young people are supported by safeguarding, missing from care and bullying policies to promote their welfare and protect them from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff members are suitably trained in keeping young people safe and helping young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. There are clear policies and suitable documents relating to the management of young people's behaviour and the use of permissible measures of control and discipline.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is maintained with suitable fire safety, health and safety procedures and risk assessments to ensure that the environment physically safe. Recruitment and vetting of people working at the home is thorough enough to make sure young people are protected. All visitors to the home are appropriately monitored.

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Organisation

Adequate policies, procedures, training and guidance are provided by the home to ensure young people's needs can be met within this outcome group. A bank of staff are available with relevant training to manage the home in the event of a new admission to the home.

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Organisation

A Statement of Purpose is in place and will be reviewed to ensure that the needs of the young people are planned for satisfactorily. There are suitable policies and systems in place to ensure that it is run effectively and in the best interests of young people.

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Organisation

The proposed staff team is competent, experienced, qualified and has suitable skills to meet the needs of young people. There is sufficient staff available to provide support and guidance for the number of young people proposed to live in the home.

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Organisation

Suitable policies and practices are in place to ensure staff are well supported on a daily basis and through regular professional supervision and team meetings. There are satisfactory systems in place to regularly monitor the quality of care and take action to improve the services provided for young people.

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