Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Rochdale

Unique reference number SC065072 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector Ann-Marie Born / Shaun Common Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 10/11/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

The children's home provides accommodation for two young people of either sex from 10 years to 17 years of age.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is located in a quiet cul-de-sac and it is indistinguishable from other properties in the area. It is a detached house, with a garden to the rear and parking is available at the front of the home and in the attached garage. There is a lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen, conservatory and bathroom. There is office space with sleep-in facilities for staff and three bedrooms; two for young people and one is sleep-in room for a staff member. Public transport is available providing access to the town centre where there is a range of shops and amenities.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Two young people are accommodated at the home and one was present at the time of the inspection.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection assessed the outcome area of staying safe and addressed the actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. Two young people were living at the home and one contributed to the inspection process.

p.4

Summary

This children's home is a good service. The culture of the home is open and friendly with good behaviour management policies in place promoting positive behaviours. The use of rewards and the work to help young people understand consequences is a strength. The young people take pride in their home and say they feel safe. Improvement is needed in two areas, the opportunity for young people to speak with an independent person if they have had an unauthorised absence and recruitment checks on new staff.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the registered persons were asked to make a number of improvements at the home. They were asked to: ensure that all the persons working at the home are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire; ensure robust monitoring takes place by the Registered Manager each month; revise the complaints information provided to children; ensure that written records of all incidents of absence without authority specifically include all action taken; ensure there is a system to decide on appointment where there are any criminal convictions and afford young people more opportunities for key worker sessions. All these matters have been met thereby promoting young people's rights and safety. The registered persons were also asked to obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Regulation 26, which covers the fitness and suitability of workers to be employed in a children's home. This has not been

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

fully met and therefore an action will be raised in respect of this matter.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected. Procedures are in place for room searches when necessary and young people can comment on a search being undertaken in their room in the appropriate log. There have not been any room searches since the last inspection. Information about young people is securely stored and staff uphold confidentiality at all times.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Information about the complaints procedure is clearly described in the home’s Statement of Purpose and in the young people's guide. Young people are aware of the formal complaints procedure and one young person said she "don’t need to make one" because she can just talk. The young person stated that staff take action to resolve matters quickly. Staff are trained in the effective use of the complaints procedure so they can provide good support to young people where needed. The home also acts promptly to promote and maintain good relationships within the community. The complaints log shows that there have been no complaints since the last inspection.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have undertaken child protection training and have access to Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures as well as the home's child protection procedures. Staff understand how to implement these procedures meaning that arrangements to safeguard young people are effective. Young people are supported to keep themselves safe by the use of comprehensive risk assessments and the positive relationships with staff.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no incidents of bullying since the last inspection. Staff are trained in countering bullying which enables them to protect young people. Young people feel able to share incidents of bullying that occur outside of the home with staff members.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are procedures in place for staff to follow if a young person goes missing without authority. These are fully understood by staff and are implemented. This contributes towards safeguarding the young people. However, young people's rights are not fully promoted as the opportunity to speak with someone independent of the home is not offered as part of the procedure.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good relationships are established between staff and young people. Incentives are used to encourage and develop positive behaviour. Restraint procedures are in place which are understood by staff. There have not been any restraints since the last inspection. Sanction records (known as consequences) are in place which also enable young people to write their comments and sign the record. This encourages young people to develop understanding and responsibility. One young person stated, "I thought it would be more", after receiving a financial consequence.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective health and safety systems are in place within the home. There are a range of comprehensive risk assessments in place for each young person. Fire safety evacuations are regularly practiced and appropriately recorded. Servicing of all fire safety and domestic appliances are up-to-date thereby promoting the safety of the young people and staff.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Procedures for vetting visitors are in place and are good. Recruitment processes are in place but these do not fully comply with the regulations and an action has been raised in respect of this matter.

p.6

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.

p.7

Std. Action Due date

27 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in the regulation. (regulation 26) 03/05/2011

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.7

Recommendations

 ensure that on return to the home the child is seen if possible by his/her social worker or a person independent of the home to consider the reasons of the absence without authority. (NMS 19.4)

p.7