Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Unique reference number SC040628 Inspection date 18/03/2011 Inspector Keith Riley Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 27/07/2010 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 children's home is a substantial Victorian detached building. It has been refurbished to a very high standard and has a very large garden which is well laid out. The home accommodates up to seven children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Placements are medium to long-term. The home accepts children and young people of both sexes between 10 and 17 years but 10 to 14 years on admission. Seven children and young people are currently placed.

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Brief description of the service

The premises are decorated in a bright and modern style and furnished to a high standard. There are excellent facilities including two lounges for children and young people, large communal rooms and private meeting rooms. The home is about two miles from the town centre and is easily accessible by public transport.

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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 unannounced random inspection took place during a weekday. The focus of the inspection was to assess all key standards found within staying safe.

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Summary

There was one recommendation made as a result of this inspection. The setting was judged as outstanding.

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Summary

The home continues to provide an excellent standard of care to meet the individual needs of young people. Young people are extremely well supported in staying safe whilst managing their difficult feelings and emotions. Protection from harm and abuse is provided by well trained staff following robust policies and procedures. Behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations from the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is well respected and all information is handled confidentially. Information held on each young person is kept securely. Young people have access to a phone and are able to use mobile phones. Young people have ample space for private meetings in the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are regular meetings with young people to voice any issues and young people have access to an advocate. Young people said they feel very confident in voicing concerns or raising complaints. Records show complaints are dealt with professionally and in a timely manner utilising the robust complaints procedure. There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people’s safety is extensively promoted within the home. Staff display excellent knowledge of child protection through a robust induction programme and ongoing safeguarding training. Staff work hard to keep young people as safe as possible. There are thorough and specific risk assessments in place that highlight areas of concern or vulnerability. Young people said they understand what actions are taken to safeguard them. There are staff who are readily available to help young people deal with their difficult feelings and experiences. Staff facilitate contact with others while keeping young people as safe as possible. Swift, decisive management action is taken when concerns are raised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is zero tolerance toward bullying that young people are made aware of on admission. Management and staff create an atmosphere where bullying is known to be unacceptable which is underpinned by a comprehensive bullying policy. When incidences do occur there are rapid management decisions made in consultation with other professionals to support and protect young people. A monthly bullying log is kept which is analysed for each young person.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff spoken with are clearly aware of the current risks to the young people in the home and the action to take should they be away from the home without authority. There is a recent increase in the number of absences of young people. Staff are working with other professionals to address the underlying psychological issues leading to their absence. There is a robust policy for reporting and responding to unauthorised absences including intervention meetings being held with the police. Absences are responded to rapidly to promote the return of the young person to the setting. Excellent support and guidance is provided to young people to consider the reasons for their actions and possible consequences.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an excellent approach to behaviour management to ensure young people have their needs assessed and met. Behaviour management plans are agreed with external agencies and reviewed very regularly to address behaviour such as self- harm, absence and violence. Staff have procedures to follow if physical intervention is needed and have extensive ongoing training to practice the agreed organisational method of physical intervention. Strategies to de-escalate situations are in place with physical intervention being the last resort. The number of physical interventions is low. The staff are sensitive to the needs of young people whilst setting clear boundaries. Staff and young people have positive relationships, based on trust and mutual respect. Young people speak positively about their relationships with staff. The stability and consistency of the staff team adds to the security offered to the young people to uphold their socially acceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The health and safety of all those who live and work at the home are addressed very well. The routine checking, testing and servicing of fire fighting and electrical equipment takes place at regular intervals. Fire alarm drills are carried out regularly. The majority of signs pointing to fire egress are clear but one sign needs adjusting so as to be clear about the exact position of the nearest fire exit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A robust recruitment process ensures no members of staff work at the home unless all the required checks have been confirmed and considered. There have been no new appointments since the last inspection.

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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 all fire egress signs clearly point to the exit. (NMS 26.1)

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