Children's Home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

Unique reference number SC038500 Inspection date 24/02/2011 Inspector Linda Brown Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/11/2010 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

The home is a detached house located close to the centre of the town. It is near to a range of local facilities and has good transport links to other parts of the borough. The home accommodates up to four children of both genders, who are aged between 7 years and 14 years.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor there is an office, kitchen, dining room, lounge, study room and toilet. The first floor has four children’s bedrooms, a bedroom for staff, an office, two bathrooms and a separate toilet. The basement provides storage space, the laundry and a playroom which leads onto the patio area.

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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

The purpose of this unannounced interim visit is to examine some of the standards in the national minimum standards for children’s homes and monitor the home’s performance against the recommendation made at the previous inspection. During this inspection all key standards in outcome area staying safe were examined. Several areas were judged as outstanding at the previous inspection with positive outcomes for children still being maintained. Discussions took place with staff and children who were present during the inspection.

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Summary

This inspection found outcomes for children are outstanding and the service meets and exceeds many of the national minimum standards. The home is well managed and staff are supported, experienced and trained. There continues to be an excellent structure and consistency to the care provided at the home, this combined with the positive and strong relationships between staff and children enable staff to manage behaviour well. Management and staff remain totally committed to raising standards in order to provide better outcomes for the children in their care. Children state that they are happy at the home, they feel safe there and like the staff. Three recommendations are made against the outcome areas organisation and staying safe. Two of these recommendations are with regard to record keeping and do not impact on the otherwise excellent care experienced by the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager is committed to developing the service to ensure that better outcomes for children are achieved. The timing of the inspections have been relatively close together, one recommendation was made at the last inspection with regard to the young people's guide, staff have been allocated the task and are in the process of developing the document into an age-appropriate child friendly format. This recommendation is not fully met and, therefore, will remain on this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been a lot of improvements to the environment. The lounge has been revamped with new furniture, carpets, redecoration and soft furnishings. Carpet has also been replaced in other areas of the house. The kitchen is in the final stages of being completely refurbished. In order to cater for the younger age group, showers have been lowered and fitted with safety water regulators. Age- appropriate games, books and DVD's have been purchased along with general items for the younger children. Staff have already planned and booked holidays in the summer to cater for individual needs. This practice promotes the safety and well- being of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

It is evident that the relationship between staff and children is built on respect and trust. Staff are able to demonstrate the importance of respect and dignity in their day-to-day practice. Records show regular discussion regarding the children’s dignity take place between staff, for example, ensuring children shut the doors when using the bathroom, are appropriately clothed when leaving their bedrooms and that staff knock on their bedroom doors before entering their rooms. Confidential information is stored and shared appropriately. Visitors are welcome at the home and where appropriate rooms are made available for children to have their visits in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a robust complaints system in place. The provider has a complaints department which deals with and responds to any complaints made. An independent advocate visits the children regularly and will pursue any concern on their behalf if necessary. Children state that they will tell staff if they are unhappy and they will sort it out. There are very few complaints received, however, should a complaint be received appropriate records and outcomes are maintained and monitored. Complimentary letters and thank-you cards continue to be received from families and professionals and student social workers praising the dedication and commitment of the staff. All senior staff are trained in complaints procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the need to protect and safeguard children. Policies and procedures are in place and all of the staff working at the home receive the appropriate training in child protection. Staff are aware of the guidance to follow if they have any concerns about anything or anyone. Staff continue to provide age appropriate support for the children to develop their own awareness and skills to protect themselves when out in the community. Good links are established with the local children’s safeguarding board. The Registered Manager ensures that the relevant professionals are informed in line with the Regulation 30 notification process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management and staff actively promote an anti-oppressive and anti-bullying atmosphere at the home. Children are fully aware that this behaviour will not be tolerated and are confident that any concerns raised are dealt with. Children stated that they feel safe and that staff immediately challenge any inappropriate comments or behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home caters for younger children who are closely supervised. There are very few incidents of children going absent without authority from this home. However, staff are clear of the process to follow in the event of a child going missing. Risk assessments are in place and children would be immediately reported to the police due to their age and vulnerability. Systems are in place to ensure that appropriate records are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Detailed behaviour management plans and risk assessments provide staff with guidance to manage behaviour well. There is a stable, consistent and child focused staff team at the home. Regular staff meetings and daily handovers enable staff to share information and provide a consistent approach to the children in their care. Staff understand and know the children well; they are aware of their moods and pick up on any changes or concerns. Children speak positively about their life at the home, they commented that they liked the staff and stated ‘its good here’. The staff operate a system of rewards and these can be achieved for a number of things, such as, being helpful, doing homework well, tidying their bedroom and being well behaved. The children are very proud of their achievements and are eager to demonstrate how well they are doing. Within a very short period of time at the home the children are achieving their goals and staff are then able to prepare them for a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

permanent move. The Registered Manager and staff in partnership with families and other professionals such as, social workers and the fostering service in order to offer the best support for the child to ensure positive outcomes for their future. Several rewards are recorded and very few sanctions are used. Restraints continue to be used as a last resort and staff actively use de-escalation and diversionary strategies to resolve situations. A strength of this home is the excellent professional relationships staff form with the children, who are happy and relaxed in their company. Staff spend time with the children discussing their behaviours and explaining the reasons why staff react as they do. Despite their young age, they have a full understanding of the rules and the consequences if they are broken. All staff are trained in physical intervention with an emphasis on the diffusion of the situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records of sanctions and restraints are maintained in line with the national minimum standards. It is evident from the practice seen, for example, the monthly Regulation 34 checks and discussions in staff meetings, that the Registered Manager monitors these records closely, however, the monitoring section in the restraint records are not signed. This inconsistency in the signing of the records does not impact on the otherwise excellent behaviour management experienced by the children. The Registered Manager will discuss the event with staff and amend any sanction she feels are inappropriate. In addition Regulation 33 visits are undertaken monthly to monitor the overall care and welfare of the young people. This practice ensures that the children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Heath and safety records are well maintained, equipment is tested annually by professional contractors. Fire safety checks take place to include fire drills, however, there are no night time drills recorded for the last twelve months. Robust risk assessments are in place, to include fire, buildings and young people activities, children understand the need to keep themselves safe and ensure that they are wearing the appropriate protection when using their bikes and scooters. Staff receive the appropriate training in first aid and health and safety. The measures in place to ensure that children and young people are protected from physical harm arising from their environment, may be compromised if night time drills are not completed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A sample of recruitment files for staff employed in the provider’s five children's homes were examined at the human resources department during July 2010. Records are well maintained of staff Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and a system to ensure that they are renewed every three years is in place. All files contain application forms, a full work history, CRB checks and reference requests. Action has been taken to address any shortfalls. All visitors to the home are signed in and where appropriate identification is requested. The provider ensures that the recruitment policy is effectively implemented and this protects and safeguards young people.

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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 at least one fire drill is held at night in a 12 month period and the time at which the drills take place is recorded (NMS 26.8)  ensure that the children's guide to the home is reviewed in order to provide children with up-to-date information in an age appropriate format (NMS 1.3)  ensure that the care of the children accommodated in the home is continually monitored, with particular reference to monitoring the record of restraints. (NMS 33)

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