Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Oldham

Unique reference number SC066072 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/10/2010 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 home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people of either gender, aged from 11 years old to 17 years old. The property is a detached house, situated in a rural area overlooking local towns.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor of the home the accommodation consists of a lounge, kitchen, dining room, utility room and education room. The education room is registered as an independent school. On the first floor are young people's bedrooms and the bathroom. Staff bedrooms are also on this floor with one used as the staff office.

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Brief description of the service

Externally to the front of the house is a tarmac area for car parking. Beyond this is a grassed garden. To the side of the house is a garden with a paved patio area. The rural location of this property means access to nearby towns is by car or public transport.

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Brief description of the service

Two young people live in the home and contributed to 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

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check on the progress of the requirement and recommendation made at the last inspection and ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

The home accommodates young people who are very vulnerable and staff have a very good awareness of safeguarding issues and have good strategies in place to ensure that the young people are kept safe.

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Summary

The recommendation relating to ensuring that there are a sufficient number of qualified staff remains outstanding from the last inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The requirement made at the last inspection regarding the recording of all visits to the home is now met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff ensure that young people's privacy is respected; they do not enter bedrooms without giving clear warning to ensure the privacy of the young people. There is clear guidance on how room searches should be conducted. Young people's records are kept securely to ensure confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff inform young people how they can make a complaint; young people confirm this. One complaint is recorded; this has been dealt with appropriately to the satisfaction of the young person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have attended safeguarding training and have a good awareness of safeguarding issues. The company has good links with the police child exploitation team who will come and speak to the young people about keeping themselves safe. Because of their vulnerability, none of the young people have access to mobile phones, and internet access is restricted. This is in line with their care plans. There are no bullying concerns at this time. Young people confirm that they feel safe in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is clear guidance on what action staff should take in the event of a young person leaving the home without supervision. In line with their care plans, young people will be physically prevented from leaving the premises. The young people recognise that staff do all they can to keep them safe. However, although young people have had a propensity for going missing they have not been missing since their admission to the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Placement plans clearly set out the anticipated behaviours of the young people with clear guidance to the staff on how these behaviours are to be managed. Young people consider that staff treat them fairly, and are clear about what is expected of them and what the consequences are for poor behaviour. There is an emphasis on reparation rather than punishment which young people respond to. One restraint has been recorded to prevent a violent outburst; this was appropriate and young people are encouraged to make comment on all disciplinary records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place for each young person, the premises and activities, identifying the risk with strategies to minimise this risk. Staff undertake a nightly security check to ensure that the home is safe. Fire records are in good order with drills held regularly including at night and when a new young person is admitted, to ensure all know what action to take in the event of a fire. Electrical equipment and gas installations are checked annually. The identity of all visitors to the home is checked ensuring only authorised people have access to the home.

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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 a minimum of 80% of care staff have the appropriate National Vocational Qualification at level 3 or equivalent qualification. (NMS 29.5)

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