Children's Home run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in East Riding of Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC035543 Inspection date 21/02/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 13/12/2010 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 is a large three storey, detached house set in a residential area. The town centre, with all associated amenities and shops, is a short walking distance from the home. The home is owned by a local authority, and can provide residential care for up to six young people of either gender, aged between 14 years and 17 years on admission.

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Brief description of the service

All young people have their own bedrooms, situated on the first and second floors. There are sufficient bathrooms to meet the needs of the young people.

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Brief description of the service

There is a large lounge, a separate dining room and a newly refurbished kitchen. The home also has a computer area, a laundry room and good-sized gardens.

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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 the recommendation made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

The home is having a new boiler fitted which has meant that there is no heating or hot water for a few days. The majority of the young people have been taken on a holiday whilst this work is undertaken. Detailed risk assessments have been undertaken for those staff and young people who chose to stay at the home.

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Summary

The home continues to provide good life experiences for the young people. A requirement and recommendations were made in relation to the recording of complaints and sanctions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager is in the process of addressing the recommendation raised at the last inspection concerning recording young people's views with respect to any restraint or disciplinary measures. The recommendation is carried forward in this inspection.

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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. Each young person has a mobile phone and are able to make calls in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Very few complaints have been made, one complaint recorded has been dealt with appropriately although there is no record that the young person is happy with the outcome. Young people are encouraged to make representations at residents' meetings although there is no discrete record of these minor complaints. The home has good links with the children's rights officer who attends resident's meetings monthly and also visits the home in between. Young people may email or text these individuals if they wish to speak to them. The Registered Manager takes seriously any representations young people have and deals with them appropriately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have received safeguarding training at level 1 and some have attended level 2 and 3. Staff seek advice from other professionals if they have concerns about the welfare of the young people. Staff monitor internet access and there are protocols in place for the accessing of social networking sites.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no bullying concerns at this time, however any incident is recorded and young people are encouraged to complete a 'Beat the Bully' form when they feel threatened. The incidents of young people going missing has greatly reduced. There are individual protocols in place giving guidance to staff what action to 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

Few sanctions are metered out but the recording of some sanctions is confusing. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Each young person has an individual crisis management plan which are in good detail identifying potential behaviours with clear guidance to staff on how these behaviours are to be managed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Each young person has a risk assessment identify risks with strategies in place to minimise the risk. Risk assessments are also in place for the premises and activities; in particular a detailed risk assessment has been undertaken on the current work of fitting a new boiler. This clearly identifies issues that could arise with very clear guidance on how these can be resolved. Fire records are in good order with drills held regularly including at night to ensure everybody knows what action to take in the event of a fire. Other health and safety checks are carried out as appropriate, for example, gas installations, electrical appliances and water.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is vigilant in ensuring the identity and of all visitors to the home is checked to ensure that only authorised people have access to the home. Actions have been undertaken to ensure the tradesman coming into the home have undergone Criminal Records Bureau disclosures; where this is not practical there is clear direction that these individuals are supervised.

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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

16 ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of the investigation. (Regulation 24 (5)) 01/04/2011

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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 consequences of unacceptable behaviour are clear to staff and children (NMS 22.4)  encourage young people to write or have their views recorded and sign their names in the home's records of restraint or disciplinary measure.(NMS 22.14)

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