Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Southampton

Unique reference number SC389180 Inspection date 07/03/2011 Inspector David Coulter Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 28/06/2010 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 home is registered to accommodate up to six young people aged 9 to 17 years with multiple disabilities that can include a learning disability, a physical disability and in some cases a sensory impairment. The home provides long-term placements. While the home consists of an older property, it has been extensively renovated and extended to meet the specialised needs of its residents, including those with mobility difficulties. All the young people are accommodated in single rooms on the ground floor. Other facilities include a specially designed garden/play area at the rear of the property. The home is situated in a residential area of the city and is well served by public transport. It is also accessible to a range of local amenities and services including a number of special schools.

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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 random inspection took place on a busy Monday during school- term. Although the inspection focused on how the home is meeting key national standards in relation to staying safe, due to the complex health needs of the current residents the key standards relating to health were also examined. During the course of the inspection it was possible to meet with the manager and a number of staff. A full tour of the home was undertaken and a range of records and documents examined. A number of young people were also met and spoken with on their return from school and observed enjoying themselves in the company of staff.

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Summary

The home continues to develop and has now increased its capacity to six. Staffing levels have been adjusted to ensure that the care needs of all the young people can be appropriately met. The home's extensive policies and procedures have been translated into effective working practices that keep young people safe. Staff are not risk averse and ensure that the young people in their care can lead interesting and stimulating lives by accessing a range of activities both within the home and local community. The health needs of young people are carefully monitored and medical assistance appropriately sought to address any issues or concerns.

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Summary

High quality care is being provided to a group of extremely vulnerable young people with complex needs by an experienced and well motivated team of staff. There are no actions or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The two recommendations arising from the last inspection have been addressed. The home has acquired another hydraulic hoist to assist with lifting and a system has been introduced that ensures all health monitoring sheets are appropriately completed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Due to the often complex health needs of the young people in their care, staff frequently have to undertake health procedures relating to feeding, the dispensing of medication and the management of breathing equipment, including oxygen. Staff carrying out such tasks receive training from health professionals and have to demonstrate their competence before carrying out any specialised procedures. The health and well-being of each young person is monitored on an on-going basis and guidance is updated in response to changing circumstances. The home's staff are well supported by a number of health professionals including community nurses, occupational therapists and paediatricians. Consents for all medical interventions have been appropriately obtained from parents/guardians. A new system of administering medication has been introduced since the last inspection and has, according to staff, helped minimise the risk of inappropriate dispensing. All staff have

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Helping children to be healthy

undertaken training in the new procedures. Information is provided for staff on the nature of each medicine and its possible side effects.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff operate a child-centred approach to care in which each young person is treated as an individual with their own specific care needs. One-to-one working allows staff to respond effectively to the physical, social and emotional needs of the young people in their care. The privacy of each young person is given a high priority and each individual has a bedroom that is designated as 'their space'. Each young person's room is furnished and decorated to reflect their taste. Due to their vulnerability, staff carry out visual checks at regular intervals throughout the night. Staff ensure checks are carried out without disturbing young people's sleep. Staff treat young people with dignity and respect and issues, such as personal care, are dealt with sensitively. Confidential information relating to each young person is kept in an appropriate locked facility.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a well-developed child protection policy and there are clear guidelines for staff on the reporting of any concerns to the area safeguarding team. All staff undertake child protection training during their initial induction and receive regular updates. Staff are clearly aware of their personal responsibilities in regard to reporting any protection worries or concerns and body maps are used to record any unexplained bruises or marks observed on a young person's body.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An excellent range of policies, procedures and working practices keep young people safe in both the home and local community. Staff operate within a risk management framework that subjects the home's facilities and working practices to regular health and safety checks. Specialist equipment, such as hoists, are subject to regular checks and servicing. The building is subject to a rolling programme of maintenance and redecoration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

As the majority of young people experience mobility difficulties, the home provides a range of suitable play equipment and regular access to a soft play area. Since the last inspection a new sensory area has been created. Although there is a safe play area to the rear of the property it is not specifically designed for young people with mobility difficulties. Staff are clearly aware of this and plans are already developed to install more suitable play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective monitoring systems to minimise the risk of fire and all staff are conversant with evacuation procedures. Due to the vulnerability of the current residents, evacuation exercises are carried out monthly. The home is appropriately secure and entry can only be gained via the main entrance. All visitors have to report to staff on admission, produce identification and sign in. Risk assessments are developed in respect of each young person and updated in response to changing circumstances. Although none of the current residents are safe to leave the home unaccompanied, staff provide regular activities within the local community. All such activities are risk assessed and staff carry key information that can be relayed to police in the unlikely event of them going missing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management plans are developed in respect of each young person and provide clear and concise guidance for staff. These plans have been developed in conjunction with both parents and school staff to achieve a more consistent approach. Staff respond positively to acceptable behaviour, however, they are fully aware that many of the young people have limited control over their behaviour and experience involuntary actions that can unintentionally impact on others. Staff assist young people in understanding the link between their actions and possible consequences. Staff deploy a range of diversionary techniques and periods of 'time out' to manage challenging behaviour. Physical interventions are only ever used if it felt a young person is putting themselves or others at risk. There is a good system for recording physical interventions and other significant incidents. Each incident and its antecedence are examined in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

As many of the young people experience communication difficulties, staff deploy a range of techniques, including sign language and pictorial cards, to regularly seek out their views on all aspects of their lives within the home. Staff are pro-active in addressing any worries before they develop into major concerns. The home has a written complaints policy and all young people, their parents and placing social workers are made aware of it on admission. No complaints have been made since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home benefits from having a stable staff team of experienced and well motivated staff. Arrangements for the recruitment and training of staff are good. New staff work alongside experienced staff until they are deemed competent. Staffing levels are appropriate and are adjusted in response to the changing needs of the young people. Any staffing shortfalls are either covered by members of the existing team or members of the company's own agency staff.

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