Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

Unique reference number SC037281 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector Sarah Oldham Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 10/12/2010 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

The home provides care and accommodation for up to seven children aged between eight and 14 years of age who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is situated in a quiet residential area and the accommodation comprises of a dining room, lounge, play room and study room. The children each have their own bedroom. A bathroom and a shower room are on the first floor. There is a garden to the rear of the building which has a grassed area and is used by the children for playing games. There is space at the front of the house for parking cars. There are currently five children living in the home, three of whom were present during parts of the inspection 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

This was an unannounced interim inspection to review the previous action and the staying safe outcome area in particular. The remaining outcome groups were not inspected and only reflect the progress made in relation to the action 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 with regards to ensuring that all parts of the children's home used by the children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. The service has taken appropriate steps to address this action. The home has a planned redevelopment and refurbishment programme due to commence in April. Money has been identified and ring fenced to ensure that this takes place. Young people have been involved in the discussions and the plans are on display on the children's notice board. Young people spoken to at the time of the inspection were looking forward to the redevelopment and refurbishment of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The privacy of young people is promoted and observed by staff at the home. All young people have their own bedroom that they are able to lock if they wish to do so. These locks can be overridden in the case of an emergency. Young people have access to a telephone and are able to make and receive telephone calls in private, enabling them to maintain positive links with family and friends. Staff are aware of the importance of promoting confidentiality but are also aware when to share information to promote the safety and well-being of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of the procedure for making a complaint. Information is provided both verbally and also within the children's guide. Key worker staff ensure that young people understand the procedure as part of the induction process to the home. Young people say that they know how to make a complaint and are confident that their complaint will be responded to appropriately. Systems are in place to record complaints appropriately for both complaints from young people and also external complaints. Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made and this was addressed in accordance with the policy and procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff at the home create an environment where bullying is not acceptable. Young people are provided with information about bullying and what to do if they are being bullied. Staff are aware of the different forms of bullying. This enables them to remain vigilant to respond appropriately and to ensure that young people are provided with support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have received comprehensive child protection and safeguarding training. This ensures that they have the necessary information and skills to respond to any child protection issues; therefore promoting the safety and welfare of the young people. Young people feel safe at the home and have developed positive relationships with the staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff encourage and support young people's good behaviour. All staff have undertaken training in the promotion of positive behaviour and this focuses on de- escalation techniques and positive responses. The training also covers physical interventions that may be used to promote the safety and well-being of the young person if they are at risk of injury to themselves or others. Records of any sanctions or physical interventions are clearly maintained and the views of the young people are sought and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures are in place in the event of a young person being missing from the home. Staff work in conjunction with the joint working together procedures with the police. Records are maintained for individual young people and placing social workers are provided with this information. There have been no unauthorised absences or incidents of young people being missing from home since the previous inspection. Young people are looked after within a safe environment. The home has a comprehensive fire risk assessment in place and the fire drill is known to all young people who stay at the home. Fire drills are undertaken on a regular basis and clear records maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment and selection practices are comprehensive and ensure that all staff appointed to the home are subject to appropriate application processes, including interview and references, plus enhanced Criminal Record Bureau disclosures. All visitors to the home are required to sign in the visitor’s book and identification clarified. This ensures that all reasonable steps to promote the safety of children and young people are followed.

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