Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC064735 Inspection date 24/02/2011 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 17/11/2010 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

This local authority home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people, aged from 12 to 17 years old. It is located in a residential area and has good access to public transport links. It is a two storey building and has a lounge, dining room, computer room, kitchen, laundry and two staff offices on the ground floor. Bedrooms are all on the first floor and each young person has their own bedroom. There are shared bathrooms and toilets also on the first floor and a separate toilet for staff and visitors on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the house, which has a grassed area and a range of vegetable plots.

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Brief description of the service

Six young people live in the home and four were present for part of the inspection.

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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

At this unannounced interim inspection the key standards under the outcome area of staying safe are assessed.

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Summary

The home continues to provide an outstanding level of care to young people. Excellent safeguarding practices in the home help to protect young people from harm. Robust consultation systems allow young people's views and opinions to be heard. Young people feel safe living in this home and consider staff are fair with them.

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Summary

Partnership working with professional multi-agency teams significantly benefits the welfare of the young people. Matters such as young people missing from home are fully considered. Appropriate strategies are in place to help reduce these episodes and assist young people's safe return to the home.

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Summary

Staff show a significant commitment to promote the well-being of the young people. Staff use a range of interventions with the young people to increase their confidence, self-esteem and social skills.

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Summary

There are no actions or recommendations arising as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No actions or recommendations were made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are confident in their work with the young people and fully understand the need to keep young people safe from harm. The Registered Manager ensures staff follow child protection policy and guidance so that this is effective in practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's contact with professional multi-agency teams, significantly benefits the well-being of the young people. Specific concerns relating to young people's vulnerability, such as the risk of exploitation and of young people going missing from the home, are identified and assessed. Clear strategies and protocols are put in place to minimise these risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive support and training to assist them to deal properly with challenging behaviour, including the appropriate use of physical intervention. Staff have a very positive behaviour management approach which assists young people to develop suitable and acceptable social skills. Rewards and incentives to help young people achieve are part of the culture within the home. Young people say they like the staff and that they are fair with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of the home's complaints procedure and confirm they would use this if necessary. Robust consultation systems allow young people to have their views and opinions heard. Young people confirm staff listen to them and their concerns are taken seriously. Since the last inspection there are no recorded complaints about care in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel bullying is not an issue although they say there are times when there are disagreements or arguments between them. Staff work extensively with young people to promote anti bullying and emphasise bullying is unacceptable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is very well regarded. They have an individual bedroom which provides them with their own personal space. The majority of young people have a mobile phone and all have access to a telephone in the home, to enable private calls to be made. Confidentiality is effectively managed and personal records are stored securely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive health and safety monitoring of the house and grounds help to maintain a safe home environment. Relevant safety checks of equipment in the home are routinely carried out, so that this is safe to use. Young people and staff are aware of the fire evacuation procedures and know what to do in the event of a fire in the home. The staff group remains consistent with no new staff employed. The manager confirms the provider's recruitment and employment procedures remain thorough and these ensure any new staff appointed are suitable to work with young people.

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