Children's Home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC389830 Inspection date 09/03/2011 Inspector Dawn Taylor Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 18/06/2010 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

This children’s home is registered to accommodate one young person, male or female, with an age range from 10 up until their 18 birthday.

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Brief description of the service

The home is rurally situated on the outskirts of a village a few miles from a large town. The detached house is set back from a main road and has been upgraded and refurbished for its current purpose. The home is set in its own enclosed garden.

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Brief description of the service

The home is intended to provide a high degree of personalised care for one young person presenting challenging behaviour who cannot be placed with peers. It operates a permanent two-to-one staffing ratio.

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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 inspection was an announced interim visit. The inspection focused on the arrangements for keeping young people safe.

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Summary

Young people were involved in the inspection process.

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Summary

The overall quality rating for this setting is outstanding, with an outstanding outcome judgement for staying safe. This company has established policies and procedures, which are underpinned by a comprehensive framework of staff training. This ensures high quality practice, which is sustained and results in robust and outstanding outcomes for young people. This home is excellent at meeting an individual's complex needs. One young person stated 'this home is great. The staff team are brilliant, really laid back and fun'.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no recommendations or actions made at the last inspection. This home continues to monitor and develop outstanding practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Creating a welcoming, secure, safe placement is a priority for this staff team. They are experienced at focusing on an individual's needs and using flexible, imaginative practice to ensure outstanding outcomes. There is a strong practice of promoting effective communication to ensure young people can progress by understanding and managing their own behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear policies, procedures and staff guidance on promoting safeguarding and privacy, managing challenging behaviour, preventing absence without permission and addressing concerns and incidents of bullying. They are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect developing practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

These policies and an established programme of training underpins strong working practices that ensure staff have the skills to keep young people safe. The company has made a commitment to ensure all their Registered Managers and senior staff complete local authority training for designated safeguarding officers. This is in addition to child protection training that all staff receive as part of their induction and on-going training. The company's training department also continues to be proactive in coordinating staff training with the local authority for all independent sector children's services.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's physical safety is safeguarded through effective health and safety policies. Detailed assessments of risk ensure dangers are identified and actions are put in place to reduce risk. Staff are well informed of each individual's needs through risk assessments and a placement plan. These ensure there are effective strategies that support young people to progress and learn new skills whilst ensuring their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records relating to staff recruitment and selection were checked at the company's headquarters during the key inspection. The company's recruitment and selection process is robust and the procedure undertakes checks over and above those required in the children's homes regulations.

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