Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC031410 Inspection date 23/02/2011 Inspector Liz Daniels Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 22/11/2010 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 home is situated in a residential part of a town. It is run by the local authority and provides respite care for up to seven young people with learning disabilities, some of whom also have a physical disability. It is self-contained, but is located within a resource centre which also houses the social work team for children with learning disabilities. All areas within the home are wheelchair accessible and there is ceiling tracking for hoisting throughout. There is a lounge and dining area, a kitchen, and a separate room with some sensory equipment. All young people are provided with their own bedrooms and specialist equipment is available throughout. The home has a garden to the rear which is enclosed.

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Brief description of the service

The home has its own adapted transport, enabling young people to access activities and education in the local community.

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Brief description of the service

Currently, extensive building works are being undertaken to improve the access and facilities for the resource centre. The unit is continuing to provide respite throughout; at the time of the inspection six young people were staying, all of whom were present for part of the inspection.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection was the second visit to the setting for the year April 2010 to March 2011. The service was judged as outstanding at the key inspection, undertaken in November 2010. The aim of this inspection was to inspect those standards that ensure young people are safe and to inspect the progress made in implementing the recommendation previously made. The visit was facilitated by the manager and provided the opportunity to meet with young people and staff.

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Summary

Excellent arrangements continue, to keep young people safe. Staff recognise that many are vulnerable and are diligent in ensuring they are protected. Meeting each young person's needs is an integral part of how the home runs and staff are keen to enable them to achieve their full potential. Robust quality assurance processes ensure the provision is being very well monitored.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have arranged for a copy of the report from each young person's review to be sent to them. This, in discussion with their family and social worker, will confirm that the care given is up to date and consistent for each young person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy and maintain their confidentiality when handling information about them. They assist young people with their personal care, while ensuring that their privacy, dignity and safety are promoted and protected. Good sized bedrooms and bathrooms provide space for personal care and a mixed staff team enables sensitivity to gender issues. Staff follow clear guidelines to ensure a correct balance between allowing a young person to spend some time alone while making sure they are safe if unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are alert to signs that young people may be concerned or unhappy and explore their anxiety through a variety of communication methods. Each young person has a family member, or responsible adult, who can advocate for them; they can also spend time with the representative from an independent advocacy service who visits the unit weekly. Similarly, staff regularly seeks parent's views to ensure the home continues to meet their needs. They can access a robust complaints process within the local authority, although no complaints have been received since 2007.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's procedures are aimed at promoting young people's welfare and protecting them from abuse. Staff are trained in child protection and know the action to take in response to any concerns; they keep good records of any marks or bruises and discuss any queries with the relevant professionals. Staff have each been provided with a copy of the local safeguarding procedures, for reference in the event of any safeguarding allegations. Robust recruitment procedures require that all staff have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure before employment, to protect young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The cognitive disabilities of most of the young people accommodated mean that they do not fully understand bullying as a concept. Staff who work in the home are aware of the group dynamics, as well as which triggers can lead to behaviour that causes distress or conflict between young people. Good staffing ratios, close supervision and excellent support ensures that incidents are kept to a minimum. Similarly, staff guide young people as to what is socially acceptable behaviour, discouraging them when their behaviour is inappropriate. Staff are consistent in their approach, underpinning their practice with the detailed care plans and risk assessments that outline the expectations and management for each young person. They use distraction and de- escalation techniques in the event of any tensions that develop; these positive strategies have resulted in no sanctions or physical interventions being needed since

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

June 2010. Staff are also very alert to those young people who are at risk of leaving the unit without permission. Again, excellent supervision minimises the risk whereby there has been no incidence of absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff undertake risk assessments for the premises and activities young people are involved in. The excellent preparation by staff for the current building works has ensured risks have been identified, action taken and suitable arrangements made to maintain young people's safety. Individual risk assessments are also completed on young people; these balance their behaviour, their susceptibility to falls or accidents and their potential vulnerability, in situations such as sleeping, bathing and eating. Positive steps are taken to protect against the risk of fire and other hazards. All the required checks of fire equipment continue. Staff also undertake regular fire drills throughout the 24-hour period. Good records are kept and these are well monitored; this ensures that as all staff are included in a fire evacuation at least once a year, they understand the fire plan and can keep young people safe in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors and contractors are well vetted; they are required to show evidence of identification, to sign the visitors' book and are supervised while on site. Equally, robust recruitment processes protect young people; all the necessary information is received prior to employment and the required checks are made. Staff recruitment is co-ordinated centrally through the local authority. The manager is included in the process and keeps sufficient information at the home to confirm all the required checks are made and all staff have updated CRB disclosures.

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