Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hopscotch Solutions Limited in Rutland

Unique reference number SC065071 Inspection date 24/02/2011 Inspector Anna Williams / Mary Timms Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 03/08/2010 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 residential special school that provides care an education to young people diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. The service cares for children for more than 295 days each year, therefore has been registered as a children’s home. The home has been registered since the 31 October 2005 and can accommodate up to 11 young people.

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Brief description of the service

The home and school are located in the same premises. The building has been developed to meet the needs of the young people it accommodates. In the main residence there is a lounge, dining room, a soft room and a sensory room as well as bathroom facilities. All bedrooms, apart from one, are single. There is a large well- equipped kitchen, which serves both the school and residence, and a laundry room. There is also an annex close to the main building with a further three bedrooms, a lounge, conservatory, a small kitchen and a further classroom. There are well equipped play areas, one of which is accessed via the main lounge. A sensory garden has been created in one of the play areas. Classrooms are situated on the first floor and administration offices are situated on the ground floor and the second floor.

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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 is an unannounced random inspection. The focus of this inspection is the judging of the key standards which relate to the outcome group staying safe. This inspection reviews the progress the provider has made with two recommendations resulting from the previous inspection.

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Summary

No actions or recommendations are raised resulting from this inspection visit. Young people’s privacy and dignity is prioritised within the home taking into account their individual needs and preferences.

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Summary

Three young people contributed to this inspection. Observations are indicative of the warm and positive relationships young people share with staff. Staff receive appropriate training and guidance and are subject to robust vetting procedures before they start working at the home. Young people are effectively safeguarded by staff and management who have an excellent awareness of their specific needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made at the last inspection. The first related to obtaining the written endorsement of the community pharmacist with regard to the dispensing of medication and this has been acquired. The second related to clarifying the refresher timescales with regard to epilepsy emergency medication training. The Registered Manager had taken action to clarify this, and training records observed confirmed this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy and dignity of young people is prioritised within the home taking into consideration their individual needs and preferences. Staff support young people to be as independent as possible avoiding any unnecessary intrusion of their privacy. Information about the young people is handled with due regard to confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff clearly understand how each young person communicates distress and unhappiness whilst being acutely aware of their responsibility to advocate for them. Parents are provided with the procedures to use if they wish to make a complaint. Young people benefit from independent advocacy services commissioned by the registered provider. There have not been any complaints raised since the last inspection visit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clear about safeguarding procedures and well trained to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities to report any allegation or suspicion of abuse. Staff receive yearly refresher training while new staff cover safeguarding in their induction. Care plans outline specific information about each young person with regard to safeguarding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust strategies and procedures are in place to reduce the possibilities of bullying. Staff have excellent knowledge in reading the signs from individuals and act accordingly to prevent potential harm from being caused. This is supported by the number of staff on duty at any one time to ensure that young people are closely supervised. Discussions confirm that currently there are no concerns with regard to bullying behaviour at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the procedures if a young person goes missing, although there are no related incidents. Risk assessments are completed for any young person where there is an identified risk of them becoming absent and action is taken to minimise this risk. Exit doors are suitably protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people benefit from an environment where there are clear boundaries and expectations for behaviour. All staff receive regular training on approved behaviour management techniques. Individual placement plans include information about how to encourage positive behaviour. Sanctions are only imposed if they are meaningful to the individual young person involved and are dependant on the level of their understanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home which provides physical safety and security. There are risk assessments which address how to minimise any identified hazards. Regular fire drills are carried out in the home which staff and young people participate in. Regular checks of the fire alarm and emergency lights take place. Fire safety is enhanced by ensuring that all staff attend fire safety training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust recruitment policies and procedures are in place and all required checks are completed prior to individuals commencing work to ensure young people are appropriately safeguarded. Visitors are vetted, supervised if appropriate and asked to sign the visitor's book.

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