Children's Home run by BREAK in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC040191 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/12/2010 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 owned by a registered charity who provides a number of children's homes and a residential family centre. In addition, the organisation offers day and respite care to children with disabilities. The home provides long-term accommodation for four children, of either gender, aged between eight and under 17 years. Two semi-detached houses have been combined into one to make a large family house on the edge of a residential estate and next to, but set above, a busy main road. Ground floor accommodation comprises of two lounges, a dining area, kitchen, utility room, telephone kiosk, staff office and two toilets. The first floor accommodation is separated into two halves by a door. Each half compromises of two bedrooms, one self-contained staff sleep-in room and a bathroom.

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Brief description of the service

The home is within walking distance of shops and public transport to the nearby city centre. There is a wide range of recreational opportunities within the immediate community and surrounding areas. Four young people are accommodated but none were available to participate in the inspection process.

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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 that concentrated on the home's performance against national minimum standards under the staying safe outcome area. The overall judgement remains good.

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Summary

Positive relationships exist between young people and staff, who are caring and supportive. One action and one recommendation have been raised; to ensure that all young people and staff practice sufficient fire evacuations and that the certificate of insurance specifies the name and address of the setting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One action and five recommendations made at the last inspection have now been met. Risk assessments have been implemented for young people's safety relating to the locks on internal doors. Smoking cessation programmes have been introduced and all young people know how to make a complaint in the home, if they are unhappy about any aspects of care. Risk assessments are in place to protect young people against bullying and Regulation 33 reports are now undertaken regularly. Lastly, the electrical installation has been serviced and any remedial work identified has now been undertaken.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their privacy and confidentiality respected. The identity of visitors is checked and files are stored securely in a locked cabinet in the office. Arrangements for personal care are managed in such a way that the dignity of young people is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of young people is promoted and they are protected from abuse as all staff receive effective child protection training. Bullying in the home is taken seriously and risk assessments are in place, to enable staff to detect any concerns related to this. Minor disagreements are dealt with at an informal level and formal complaints are responded to appropriately. Missing from home is not a feature at the present time, but there are systems in place to respond to this should it arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management is based on the promotion and encouragement of acceptable behaviour. Young people know what the standards of behaviour is expected from them and what the rules of the home are. Individual care needs and risk assessment determine the home's staffing levels, which ensure a safe level of support is always present. Staff regularly receive statutory training in effective behaviour management and physical restraint techniques. However, there have been no incidents of restraint since the last inspection. There are effective and comprehensive risk assessments in place, in relation to a range of known or likely behaviours; these are reviewed regularly and known by all staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Rigorous vetting and recruitment processes are in place, to ensure that only those who are deemed suitable to work with vulnerable young people are employed at the home. Regular servicing and maintenance is completed on all gas and electrical equipment. Although, all staff and young people present have been involved in a fire evacuation procedure, there are not sufficient fire drills undertaken over a yearly period. This does not fully safeguard young people. Certificates of public and employer liability insurance are displayed, but do not specify the setting's name and address.

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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

26 ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home and young people accommodated, so far as practicable, are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 32 (e)) 17/04/2011

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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 certificates of insurance specify the name and address of the particular home. (NMS 26.9)

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