Children's Home, Residential special school run by MacIntyre Care in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC043994 Inspection date 22/02/2011 Inspector Muhammed Harunur Rashid Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 26/04/2010 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 service is a residential special school for young people with severe learning disabilities and is run by a large independent organisation. The school accommodates up to 40 secondary school age young people of either sex, usually on a 52 week placement basis. Due to the length of the young people's stay at the school it is required to be registered and regulated as a children's home under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Brief description of the service

The school is located in a small village. Although there are limited resources available close to the school, the school has access to a range of vehicles for transporting young people.

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Brief description of the service

The accommodation is provided in seven separate houses on the edge of the school site and each young person has their own bedroom. Each house has an office, kitchen, lounge/dining area and activity room as well as outdoor space for young people. There are also sufficient numbers of suitable bathroom facilities for young people.

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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 which looked at the outcome areas of staying safe. It also looked at the progress the service has achieved with the recommendation made at the last inspection dated 26 April 2010. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic wellbeing and organisation were not assessed in this inspection. No shortfalls have been identified as a result of this interim inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service was asked to record times that fire drills take place, to evidence that they are taking place at the different times of the day. The services has acted upon this. This step helps to promote heath and safety of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a stable and safe environment. Young people’s privacy and confidentiality is promoted by the policy in place, the practice of staff and through the secure storage of young people’s records. Young people are provided with single bedroom accommodation and a sufficient number of bathrooms and toilets are available. Information regarding young people and staff is kept in a locked cabinet. Staff are sensitive to gender issues when dealing with young people of the opposite sex.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An appropriate complaints, comments and feedback policy and procedure is in place. The procedure is made accessible by being displayed in the home. Staff maintain a complaints log book. Complaints are recorded appropriately and managed according to the home’s procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear systems in place that safeguard young people from abuse. Training is available for staff on safeguarding young people. Staff protect young people through their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and anti-bullying issues and by following robust procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It is unlikely that a child will go missing from care due to the high levels of supervision in place. However, the home has an appropriate policy in place for dealing with unauthorised absence from care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Care staff work closely with the school teachers and the behaviour support specialist in order to develop individual behaviour support plans for each young person. Staff are well supported and encouraged through the provision of appropriate training, such as, managing challenging behaviour. Staff have sound knowledge of safeguarding issues and are trained in the use of physical intervention.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have attended health and safety training. They take appropriate steps to keep young people, visitors and themselves safe from the risk of fire and other hazards. A risk assessment of the premises is in place. Staff carry out regular fire alarm testing and fire drills. Fire drills are taking place at the different times of the day. Current gas and electric test certificates are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The school has a thorough recruitment policy and procedure in place to protect young people. The school ensures that all necessary information is obtained prior to the appointments of staff. Staff files include photocopies of their passports, two written reference letters and a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

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