Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Unique reference number SC036019 Inspection date 02/03/2011 Inspector Linda Brown Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 15/06/2010 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 children’s centre was opened in 1976. Set in its own grounds, it is one of a number of children's residential facilities. The building complex houses three separate units with five, placements in each unit. The service provides placements for young people aged between 10 to 17 years of age in medium- to long-term placements. Each unit may also take emergency admissions. There are 14 young people currently accommodated. There is a lounge, dining area and utility room on each unit. All bedrooms are single. The home is within easy reach of facilities and amenities which may be accessed by public transport.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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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 was to examine some of the standards in the national minimum standards for children’s homes and monitor the home’s performance against the actions and recommendations made at the previous inspection. During this inspection all key standards in outcome area staying safe were examined. Judgements made at the previous inspection were satisfactory in all outcome areas.

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Summary

The Registered Manager, management team, staff and some young people were present during the inspection. Two of the three units were inspected. Clear policies and procedures are in place to ensure that staff are trained and are able to demonstrate a clear understanding with regard to the many aspects of safeguarding, to include, child protection, whistle blowing, bullying, going absent without authority and the exploitation of vulnerable young people. Complaints are well managed, information is available for young people at the time of their admission. Workers from an independent advocacy service are also regular visitors to the home.

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Summary

The outcomes for young people in relation to staying safe are judged as satisfactory; all other outcome areas were not judged. Some improvements, with regard to sanctions, recruitment and fire drills, are required to meet the standards set for registered children’s homes. Actions and recommendations have been set in relation to the outcome area staying safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two actions and five recommendations were made at the previous inspection and action has been taken to address them all. This shows a commitment to improving the standards of care for young people. The actions and two of the recommendations were with regard to behaviour management and restraint. The Registered Manager has reviewed the behaviour management plan and, in conjunction with the provider, has resourced some different physical intervention and restraint training with an emphasis on diffusion and redirection techniques. Identified staff have completed the trainers courses and training is booked for all staff to attend during April and May 2011. When disruptive behaviour is being displayed young people are no longer moved from the residential unit into the administration block. Behaviours are now managed in the young people's living environment. Incentive schemes have been introduced with guidance from the Children's and

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Improvements since the last inspection

Adolescent Mental Heath Service (CAMHS); the management team are keen to develop this practice further.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Action was taken by senior managers after the last inspection to notify area service managers of the need to ensure that 72 hour placement meetings are held. The Registered Manager states that this practice has significantly improved. Records show that risk assessment are completed for all young people who self-administer medication and stationary is available for young people to access if they wish to make a complaint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are policies in place and staff are aware of the need to respect the privacy and dignity of the young people in their day-to day practice. For example, staff form positive relationships with young people and this enables them to discuss a range of areas to include privacy and dignity during key worker sessions. Staff knock on young people doors before entering and ensure information is shared and stored appropriately. The individual unit managers monitor the records to make sure that written information is recorded correctly. Dependant on risk assessments, young people are able to choose or purchase personal items and toiletries. A telephone is available for private calls to family, other significant people or professionals in their lives and rooms are made available for young people to receive their visitors in private. Staff demonstrate an awareness of the guidance to follow in the event of a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

room search taking place. This practice ensures that staff respect the privacy and dignity of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A welcome pack is given to young people at the time of their admission to provide them with information about the home, to include how to make a complaint. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that complaints are dealt with and resolved. Records are maintained of the complaint, action taken and the outcome. Evidence shows that staff take young people’s complaints seriously and ensure that the appropriate action is taken to resolve them. In addition to the home's procedures, young people can complain directly to the provider’s complaints department. Young people also have access to an independent advocate who is a regular visitor to the home. The welfare of young people is promoted because systems are in place to ensure that any concerns raised by young people are listened to and addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good knowledge and awareness of the systems in place at the home to protect and safeguard young people. A member of the management team is responsible for ensuring that all child protection incidents and concerns are passed to the relevant authorities. Close links are established with a range of services to include the police child exploitation unit. Complimentary letters have been received from senior police officers praising the work taking place at the home and the robust and proactive attitude of the management and staff team in working with the police to maintain the safety of vulnerable young people. Staff receive the appropriate training and have a clear understanding of the process to follow if an incident takes place. Young people are further protected as systems are in place to ensure that computer use is monitored and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from bullying because staff promote an anti-oppressive and anti-bullying environment. There is a zero tolerance approach to bullying, any behaviour that causes distress to others is immediately challenged. Risk assessments are completed to identify any areas of concern and discussions take place at staff meetings to ensure that a consistent approach to young people is maintained. Key worker sessions and young people meetings provide young people with opportunities to discuss their concerns and feelings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk assessments are completed and provide staff with the guidance to follow in the event of a young person going absent without authority. Recent work with the vulnerable persons police officer and child exploitation team show the awareness of the management and staff team to the dangers young people can be exposed to when they are absent without authority. Information is provided to young people of the dangers they place themselves in through key worker sessions and leaflets. The Registered Manager has recently attended a forum with other professionals, such as, the police, social workers and CAMHS to look at young people who are persistent absconders in order to take a holistic and proactive approach to the concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management plans form part of the young people's placement plans and separate risk assessment are completed to provide staff with guidance for managing behaviours. The Registered Manager has completely overhauled the behaviour management policy. New training has been sourced for staff with an emphasis on diffusion and restraint. This training is booked and planned for staff to commence in April 2011. Therefore, the new system is not yet embedded into staff practice. Records are maintained of physical interventions and these are monitored by the management team and the Regulation 33 visitor who visits the home monthly and monitors all aspects of the care provided at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Prior to the introduction of the incentive scheme, advice was sought from CAMHS to ensure that incentives are both achievable and individual. The reward system is still in its early days of development, however, records show that the amount of sanctions given have decreased since its implementation. Some of the sanctions being imposed are not in line with the national minimum standards, for example, young people are being stopped from sitting and eating with the group at meal times. Staff record the effectiveness and consequences of the sanction however, records show that other sanctions, such as, withholding pocket monies and incentive reward being delayed, are ineffective and do not assist young people to understand the boundaries of acceptable conduct.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A designated member of the management team is responsible for the heath and safety at the home. Records are well maintained and risk assessments are available. Records show that fire checks and drills take place within the required timescales. The Registered Manager is confident that one night time drill takes place each year, however, records do not show the times that drills are held. Annual equipment checks are maintained by professional contractors. The good practice that takes place to ensure that young people live in a safe environment may be compromised if records do not show the times that fire drills take place to ensure that at least one fire drill are held at night.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management team are able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the recruitment and selection process. Systems are followed in line with the provider's recruitment procedures. The management team have specific areas of responsibility and the member of staff responsible for recruitment, along with the Registered Manager, has a good understanding of the procedures to follow. Any queries on references are followed up, however, verification of the authenticity of the reference is not routinely obtained. All visitors at the home are signed in and where appropriate identification is requested. The recruitment policy in place protects and safeguards young people, however, this may be compromised if systems to verify references are not in place.

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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

22 ensure that any punishment relating to the consumption or deprivation of food or drink is not used as a disciplinary measure on children accommodated at the home.(Regulation 17.5 (B)) 18/04/2011

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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 that fire records contain the time of the fire drills held in order to ensure that one night time drill takes place in a 12 month period (NMS 26.8)  ensure that a system to verify references is implemented (NMS 27)  revise the use of sanctions to ensure they are effective and relevant to the misdemeanour. (NMS 22.4)

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