Children's Home run by Care Focus Limited in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC062651 Inspection date 21/02/2011 Inspector Sarah Oldham Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 23/11/2010 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

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties, aged between 10 and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached bungalow. The accommodation includes a lounge, an open- plan kitchen, dining area and single bedrooms for young people. The home provides education and a separate school building is located in the grounds. There is a garden for the young people to use at the rear of the house. The home is situated in a village in a rural area, approximately six miles from the nearest town. A village shop is within walking distance of the home.

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Brief description of the service

Three young people are currently living at the home, none of whom were present during the inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection to review the previous recommendations and the staying safe outcome area in particular. The remaining outcome groups were not inspected and only reflect the progress made in relation to any recommendations previously made.

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Summary

The practice in the home is child-focused, young people enjoy supportive relationships with staff, they spoke very well of the care received and feel safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection one action was made requiring the staff at the home to ensure that any medication prescribed for a child or young person is administered as prescribed. This action has been addressed appropriately by individual medication records being reviewed and updated, additional training for staff and a robust monitoring system in place. The recommendation with regards to ensuring that a record is kept of when prescribed medications have not been administered has also been addressed through the updated training and monitoring systems in place. The final recommendation made was in relation to ensuring that 80% of staff have completed their National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Caring of Children and Young People. Training for staff is ongoing. However, the recommendation has been made again as the number of staff with this qualification is below 80%.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their privacy respected appropriately. Staff are aware of the importance in enabling young people to have the opportunity to spend time on their own in accordance with any risk assessments in place. Young people have their own bedrooms that they are able to lock, these locks can be over ridden by staff in an emergency. The home has a phone available for young people to use and they are able to make and receive phone calls in private. All confidential information is securely stored and computers are password protected. These measures help promote privacy and confidentiality for young people. There is a complaint procedure in place and young people are aware of how to make a complaint. Complaints are responded to appropriately and the manager maintains an overview of all complaints made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue at the current time. Staff are aware of the signs of bullying to be aware of and the importance of supporting both the person being bullied and the instigator to ensure that issues are resolved. Bullying is discussed in young people's meetings and within key worker sessions to enable young people to have the opportunity to raise concerns or issues regarding this. All staff receive relevant training in safeguarding and care and control, to help staff safeguard young people's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people who absent themselves without authority are reported missing to promote their safe return. All young people have a behaviour management plan. This contains details of the support that young people require to promote positive behaviours. Where sanctions have been used, to enable young people to have an understanding of when their behaviour is not acceptable, these have been clearly recorded and discussed with the young people. Staff have received training in physical intervention, this is only used when the young person is at risk of harm to self or to others. Records of when this intervention has been undertaken are detailed and the young person is able to record their views regarding the measure taken. Staff and young people have positive relationships and this was observed during the inspection and discussion with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are carried out of young people's likely and known activities and of the homes premises and grounds. Appropriate control measures are recorded that shows how staff will keep young people safe. Health and safety matters are managed well to keep young people safe. Regular fire drills take place that include staff and young people, so they know what to do to keep themselves safe. Recruitment and selection of staff is robust. There have been no new staff recruited since the previous inspection when staff records were inspected. Staff ensure that all visitors to the home have the correct authority or identification. These measures help to safeguard the young people.

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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 a minimum of 80% of staff have completed their National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People. (NMS 29.5)

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