Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC061810 Inspection date 18/03/2011 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 28/10/2010 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 is one of a number of residential homes, which are owned and managed by the county council. It is a six bed children's home, situated in a rural location on the outskirts of a town. It provides accommodation and care for young people of both genders, aged from 12 years old to 17 years old. Access to all local amenities and the town centre is catered for by transport from the home and a driver is employed at key times of the day to achieve this. The home is a large, detached property with spacious grounds, including an extensively grassed area, which can be used by young people. Young people are all accommodated in single bedrooms and share all communal recreation areas and bathroom and toilet facilities.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection was used to follow up two actions made at the previous inspection. In addition, the key standards linked to staying safe have also been reviewed. No change has been made to the overall quality rating attained at the previous full inspection, which remains as good.

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Summary

Since the previous inspection, there have been no changes to the management of the home, or the staff group. The ethos, structure and working practices continue to provide a high standard of care and a safe environment for young people.

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Summary

Young people's individual needs are recognised and appropriate plans and strategies are in place to address them. There have been changes in the resident group in the home which have resulted in some ongoing behaviour management issues. These behaviours are being consistently addressed by the staff team using who are using incentives to promote positive behaviours.

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Summary

No issues, concerns or complaints were raised by either young people or staff. No new areas of concern have been raised as a result of this inspection, resulting in no new actions or recommendations being made.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two actions were raised following the previous inspection. These had both been addressed by the Registered Manager. All health plans are updated following any appointments young people attend. The young people's guide has been revised to ensure that young people are aware that they are also able to raise complaints or concerns directly with Ofsted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety and rights of both young people and staff are protected. The staff team's working practices and strategies designed to keep young people safe continue to be of a high standard. The records detailing complaints, missing from home, formal notifications, disciplinary measures and physical interventions are thorough, well maintained and up to date.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people understand how to access the complaints procedures which has been successfully tested since the previous inspection. Complaints are taken seriously and the nature of the complaint and its outcome are clearly recorded. Young people are confident that if they make a complaint, staff will deal with it fairly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff have undertaken training in safeguarding and demonstrate a good understanding of the organisations procedures. Their training enables them to recognise and respond appropriately to any safeguarding issues and they have good knowledge of the organisation's whistle blowing policy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not a major issue of concern to young people who confirm that staff are quick to act should a situation arise. Generally, young people feel that staff are fair and raised no concerns about behaviour management issues. The home is fulfilling its statutory duties regarding the requirement to notify and keep other agencies updated on certain matters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home maintains a variety of good risk assessments both in relation to the home and grounds, also risk assessments for young people and any activities they participate in. All risk assessments are regularly reviewed and amended accordingly. Fire records are good and equipment is regularly checked. All staff and young people have been involved in an evacuation including a night time drill. Certificated maintenance demonstrates that the home provides a safe environment for the staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Checks were not carried out on the quality of the vetting and recruitment procedures during this inspection. No new staff had commenced employment between inspections. Suitable evidence including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks, references, applications forms and records of the interview have been presented previously. Senior staff have now all accessed training in safe recruitment practice.

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