Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Stockport

Unique reference number SC008487 Inspection date 11/03/2011 Inspector Mark Kersh Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 11/08/2010 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 is a children’s home which can accommodate six young people. It is owned and run by a private organisation. The property is a semi-detached house situated on a suburban road, close to local amenities and transport links, and is indistinguishable from other houses in the area. The young people have their own single rooms. Food, care and accommodation are provided for all residents.

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Brief description of the service

Education can be provided by tutorial time offered by the organisation at an additional cost to placing authorities. There is a range of activities provided, as well as a vehicle for general transport including to and from school. Information about the home is given to young people, their family and placing authorities.

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Brief description of the service

There are currently five young people living at the home at the time of this inspection; one young person was present and contributed to 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 a full unannounced key inspection. The visit was undertaken to assess the home's performance in meeting the outcome areas for being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation. A recommendation from the previous inspection was checked for compliance.

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Summary

The home is a good service with outstanding features. Young people are extremely well cared for and supported. They receive excellent levels of support, which enables them to thrive and make extensive progress. Diet, safeguarding, education and opportunities for leisure are well met. Young people are provided with high quality living accommodation where their safety and security are promoted. Staff are exceptionally supportive of young people's needs and they treat young people as valued individuals.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection there is one action in respect of reporting significant events, and no recommendations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection the Registered Manager was asked to ensure staff have the relevant qualification for working with young people. This has been achieved and the home exceeds the minimum target for staff qualifications as specified in national minimum standards.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive a well-balanced diet as identified with their individual needs and wishes. They are consulted about their food preferences and are actively involved in the planning of the menu. Menus are displayed and are understandable by young people whose first language is not English. Young people are able to assist staff with the cooking and preparation of meals. Foods eaten by young people are recorded and monitored and staff offer good advice and support on healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people's good health and well-being are actively promoted and significantly enhanced. Staff ensure that young people are registered with doctors, dentists and opticians and they identify specialist support for those young people who require it. This enables young people to receive specialist care in accordance with their needs. Staff actively encourage young people to lead a healthy lifestyle and they provide excellent advice and support on health-related issues. Young people have access to a wide range of information on health and social issues through leaflets and display boards. This provides them with the knowledge of services available to them locally.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are sufficient numbers of staff trained to administer first aid, and staff administer young people's medication safely. There are robust working procedures, followed in practice, in respect of medication, all of which is stock checked regularly and accountable in line with the records kept by the home. Medication used by young people is securely stored by staff, to promote their welfare and safety. Young people administering their own medication are assessed as capable to do so and written risk assessments are in place for this purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy. Information kept about young people is stored and treated confidentially. Young people are provided with their own bedrooms and washing facilities for their privacy and dignity. Staff demonstrate well the need to protect information and are professional when sharing information with others. Young people can make and receive telephone calls in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

No complaints were raised by young people during this visit, and one complaint has been recorded since the previous inspection. This concluded to a satisfactory outcome. Young people spoken to felt they had a good understanding of the home's complaints procedure and they felt able to report any issues or concerns to staff. There was evidence available to show that young people have access to advocates and children's rights services where required. This ensures that young people's rights are promoted effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are no concerns with young people placing themselves at risk of significant harm. There are no issues with safeguarding or bullying. Young people confirm that bullying is not an issue for them. Staff are vigilant towards bullying which enables them to address any identified issues early.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's needs are carefully assessed, and identified risks are recorded clearly. Young people are provided with individual behaviour management plans, which enable staff to deploy strategies to known behaviours and work safely. There are some issues with young people absenting themselves without authority. Staff ensure all outside professionals are consulted to resolve and make agreed arrangements when young people are away from the home. These good arrangements ensure young people are not unnecessarily reported to the police when away from the home. There has been one recorded significant event since the last inspection, however, Ofsted has not been notified. Notifying appropriate authorities offers young people further safeguards and enables persons independent of the home to follow up any incidents when they occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are actively encouraged to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour is challenged appropriately and sanctions used by staff are fair. Physical intervention is only ever used as a last resort, to protect young people from harm. Staff are trained in the use of care and control and they manage young people's behaviours safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety systems are managed well. There are effective systems in place for the detection and prevention of fire. There are regular fire drills and safety tests undertaken to the home's fire safety equipment, gas and electrical appliances. Health and safety are effectively promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are appropriately vetted to assess their suitability to provide care for young people. This includes enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks and appropriate employment references. Staff personnel records are kept at a regional office and duplicate records are kept within the home. All visitors sign in and out after being asked for identification, and they are briefed in respect of the fire evacuation procedure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Care is provided for young people in an exceptionally positive way. Every young person's needs are effectively addressed as an individual. Young people receive unconditional support and this includes one-to-one support and planned key working meetings. Young people receive extensive support in accordance with their individual needs and wishes. Young people receive excellent support from staff to enable them to become better individuals. Young people are taught to be considerate and respectful towards others.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The relationships between young people and staff are outstanding and these are built on trust and mutual respect. Staff have a comprehensive understanding of the young people they work with, which enables young people's needs to be met comprehensively. Young people's returned questionnaires are extremely positive and reflect their good experiences within this home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All young people attend school, college or work and there are structured plans in place to support them. Staff have high expectations about education, which young people respond to positively. Young people are actively supported in education and learning, to enable them to achieve their true potential. When young people do well staff celebrate their achievement with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's placement plans are completed comprehensively and their needs as individuals are well recorded. Plans are written clearly, with detailed information available which enables staff to provide young people with high quality care. Plans are individualised and cover young people's full range of needs. Individual placement plans are updated as and when needed and are reviewed daily.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people's needs are regularly reviewed and statutory reviews take place within the recommended timescales. Young people are well assisted and supported to make a positive contribution. They are actively involved in decisions so they are able to voice their opinions or concerns. This includes arrangements for contact, and all young people know their contact arrangements. The quality of young people's care is excellent and young people thrive and make real progress. They receive extensive support from a highly dedicated and very capable staff team.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation with young people is thoughtful and purposeful. Young people are actively engaged in consultation in a way which enables them to share their views and collective experiences with staff. Regular opportunities are provided for young people to be consulted, through key working, questionnaires and resident group meetings. Young people are strongly encouraged to articulate their views and wishes, so they are able to influence any decisions made in respect of their care. The home has systems in place to consult and receive feedback from parents and placing social workers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Policies and procedures are followed for admissions to the home; careful consideration is given in respect of any new admission and the impact this may have on themselves and other young people. Referral information is scrutinised and only when all risks have been considered are agreements made with placing authorities to accommodate young people. These steps ensure young people are not placed inappropriately. When young people leave the home they complete feedback sheets of their time spent in the home, and the occasion is marked in some way.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people learn to be independent in accordance with their needs and assessed levels of ability. Staff identify what types of support young people need and they provide extensive support to help young people develop their self-confidence and skills. None of the young people currently are participating in any planned independence programmes, although they do carry out basic daily living tasks.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is maintained to an excellent standard of decorative repair and provides young people with a comfortable, clean and pleasantly furnished environment. The décor, fixtures and fittings and furniture are appropriate and meet the needs of young people and staff. Young people have their own key to their bedrooms and can secure their personal belongings. There are sufficient toilet and washing facilities to meet the needs of young people, staff and visitors.

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Organisation

The home has a written Statement of Purpose and a children's guide. Combined both documents provide an accurate account of the services provided by the home. Both documents are informative, up to date and useful.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The staff composition is diverse and staff act as positive role models by helping shape young people's values, morals, beliefs and attitudes. Young people are treated as unique individuals and they receive fair and equal treatment within the home. All of the young people have access to, and benefit from, the same equality of opportunity.

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Organisation

There are sufficient numbers of qualified and experienced staff to meet the needs and numbers of those resident. A high percentage of staff hold a recognised qualification in social care and the staff team are very well trained and qualified. The current achievement rate of staff qualified at National Vocational Qualification standards exceeds the specified requirement. Good opportunities exist for staff training and development. This enables staff to develop their knowledge and skills.

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Organisation

Young people are cared for by the same staff and they receive continuity of care. This enables them to form and develop trusting relationships. Impressive relationships between young people and staff underpin many of the positive features about this home.

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Organisation

The provisions made for reviewing the quality of care are undertaken at suitable intervals. Independent monitoring visits are conducted in accordance with the home's statutory responsibilities. The manager of the home routinely checks the home's administrative systems to ensure that what staff do, they do well. Young people's case files and other documentation are detailed. This facilitates good communication with other professionals. Key workers regularly audit case files of the young people they are responsible for; this is overseen by the management team and ensures individual files contain all of the necessary information. This provides a good record of young people's history and how they are cared for according to their individual and ever changing needs.

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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

20 notify without delay the relevant persons or agencies of the matters set out in Schedule 5, in particular Ofsted. (Regulation 30) 14/03/2011

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