Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC032083 Inspection date 21/03/2011 Inspector Elizabeth Taylor Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 03/11/2010 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 accommodates two young people, aged from 10 to 17 years of age, with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is maintained by a company who operate other children's homes throughout the country. The house is detached with a garden and is situated in a rural location. Farm buildings are sited close to the house. Young people attend mainstream school although the home is also registered to provide education on site if necessary.

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Summary

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

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection all key standards were inspected. Progress of one previous recommendation was also assessed. Two young people were present at different times throughout the visit and both contributed to the inspection process.

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Summary

The manager closely monitors the day-to-day running of the home and promotes a safe, nurturing environment for the young people. Young people are happy in the home and say they feel safe.

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Summary

Good attention is given to promoting young people's physical and emotional well- being. Staff work well with other agencies to address young people's diverse needs. Young people are helped to keep themselves safe and to learn how to manage their frustrations and disappointments in a more acceptable way. They receive effective individual support from staff.

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Summary

Young people's attachments have been tested by changes in the staff team. However, meaningful relationships with new staff have quickly been established based on trust and respect. Four recommendations have been made to further improve the service offered by the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One recommendation was made during the last inspection. The manager was asked to ensure young people have an opportunity to make reparation or restitution when sanctioned for some misdemeanours. This has been implemented. This offers young people the chance to rectify matters by positive action and helps them to take responsibility for their behaviour.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles through the provision of a good diet and regular exercise. They are involved in menu planning and help with the preparation of meals, but prefer to bake cakes and biscuits. Staff ensure young people's choice of meals include fresh vegetables and fruit. This promotes a varied and balanced diet. Young people benefit from regular physical exercise through leisure pursuits which appeal to them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Changes within the staff team mean not all the staff who prepare food are trained or have received a timely renewal in basic food hygiene. However, action has been taken to remedy this omission and on-line training is planned in the very near future. In the meantime, staff follow good practice guidance in respect of the preparation and cooking of food, following hygiene requirements and recording.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are good systems to promote and manage young people's health care. A system of health planning ensures their health needs are identified and show how staff act to address them. Young people are registered with medical professionals promptly. Health appointments attended by young people and their outcome are recorded. These show young people are supported to have regular health checks to promote their physical well-being. Good attention is also given to promoting young people's mental and emotional welfare. Staff work closely with qualified health practitioners to ensure young people receive any necessary service and on-going support to address their health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Robust systems are in place in respect of the storage, administration and disposal of medication. This ensures young people receive treatment safely and in accordance with professional instructions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy and confidentiality is respected. They have their own bedroom and are able to spend time alone without unnecessary interruptions from staff. Appropriate locks are fitted on bedroom doors although young people tend not to lock their rooms; they respect one anothers space and personal belongings. The main bathroom facility is shared but no privacy or dignity issues were identified. Young people either have their own mobile phone or can use the home's mobile phone to make or take calls in private. Information about young people is stored safely and staff ensure confidential details about young people are shared with appropriate people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are aware of their right to complain and are supported to express their views. Their concerns are usually expressed in an informal way to staff who young people say they trust 'to sort things out'. Young people's comments are taken seriously and are looked into. They are advised about the outcome, either verbally or in writing, according to their preferred format. Young people know they can contact persons independent of the home if they wish; contact details for an independent advocacy service are clearly displayed in the home. Young people can also raise issues of concern at their fortnightly group meetings. The informal approach to resolving complaints is effective in meeting young people's needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff understand their responsibilities in respect of safeguarding young people and take appropriate steps to keep young people safe. They receive relevant training in child protection matters and this is repeated as part of a rolling programme for all staff. This ensures they remain up to date with changes in legislation and procedures and acts to protect young people. Clear links are established with local safeguarding professionals and any child protection concerns are promptly referred for independent scrutiny. However, the home has not yet gained a copy of the local Safeguarding Board procedures. This is necessary to ensure the home acts fully in accordance with local expectations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive risk assessments on young people identify behaviours which may place them at risk of harm. These contain practical measures for staff to follow to promote young people's safety. The incidence of young people being absent without authority or going missing is very low. However, on a couple of occasions young people have not been at an agreed place for collection by staff and have not been contactable by mobile phone. This has resulted in staff reporting young peoples' absence to the police, in accordance with a jointly developed protocol. Staff take time to discuss their concerns with young people on their return and to advise them about keeping themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying between young people occurs occasionally. This mostly takes the form of name calling or play-fighting which sometimes escalates in to physical aggression. Keyworking sessions are used to good effect to support both the perpetrator and victim.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are knowledgeable and understanding about young people's individual behaviours. Individual behaviour management plans for young people provide clear guidance for staff to ensure they respond consistently to episodes of unacceptable behaviour. Positive measures are used to reward acceptable behaviour, effort and achievement; an incentive scheme enables young people to earn items they value. Keyworking sessions are used effectively to challenge young people's inappropriate behaviour and to discuss alternative ways of managing anger and solving problems. Sanctions are used appropriately and usually involve the loss of a treat. Physical intervention is also used at times to prevent young people hurting others. Staff are well trained in the home's approach and use restraint as a last resort. The types of holds used are in the main low level. Young people say they feel safe and are happy living in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters receive good attention. Risk assessments of the premises and grounds are up to date. Electrical and oil appliances are regularly serviced though a recommendation to either re-site the oil boiler or to provide a fire resistant barrier around it has not yet been addressed. The home's fire alarm system and equipment is tested regularly. Young people receive fire safety instruction and are involved in fire drills on a monthly basis. This ensures they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clear on the procedure for visitors to show their identification and to sign in and out of the home. This supports a safe living environment for young people. A robust approach is taken to the recruitment and selection of staff and all required checks are carried out to ensure they are suitable to work with young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Care is provided to young people on an individual basis and is structured around their specific needs. Case records show young people are supported to access a range of services aimed at developing their sense of self-worth and identity. Staff work collaboratively with different professionals to meet young people's needs. A key worker system operates in the home and young people have regular individual time with staff. This time is used productively to develop positive relationships between staff and young people, based on trust and mutual respect. Records show staff discuss issues affecting young people's lives and support them to work towards their future goals.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Education is valued for young people and staff ensure school achievements and effort are celebrated. Staff offer excellent support and reassurance to enable young people to maintain and benefit from their educational placements. They liaise closely with teaching staff and attend young people's education reviews and parents' evenings. Young people have access to a range of reference and reading books as well as a computer in the home; some young people also have their own laptop. Although young people can not currently access the internet on the home's computer, arrangements are in place for this to be available with appropriate blocks to unauthorised sites.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people have comprehensive written placement plans to identify their needs and outline the arrangements for meeting them. However, the plans tend to contain broad objectives rather than measurable tasks. Staff regularly make time to each young person to offer guidance and support on any matter although records do not provide a picture of young people's achievements or progress. This means it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of staffs contribution. Detailed records are maintained about young people’s daily lives and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Planning and review meetings for young people take place in a timely manner although there can be a considerable delay in the home receiving the minutes, despite repeated requests from the home's manager. Young people's views are sought prior to their meetings and they are supported to attend them and contribute to discussions and decision making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff support young people to maintain significant relationships and they provide emotional support to help young people work through difficult times. Staff make sure the arrangements for contact promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. Family members are invited to visit where appropriate and young people are encouraged to bring their friends to the home. However, they tend to prefer to meet their friends in the nearest town as the home is in a rural setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people currently living in the home have been resident for several years and are very settled. Their admissions were planned. This allowed young people to visit and meet staff and other young people prior to living there. Staff ensure young people receive practical and emotional support to enable them to settle quickly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people participate in fortnightly meetings where they discuss matters which affect them as well as the general running of the home. Minutes of the meetings show young people raise queries and make suggestions about improvements. A form has also been implemented for young people to write down their ideas. These items are discussed at the monthly staff meetings and young people receive a verbal response; they are advised why some things are approved and others are not. This helps young people understand about budgeting and working towards specified goals. Social workers and other interested persons are kept well informed about developments and are consulted about the care of young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

All of the young people are of school age and are not expected to have a formal plan to prepare them for adult life. Nevertheless young people are supported to develop their independence skills by taking increasing responsibility for themselves that is appropriate to their age. Young people have the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills through taking part in tasks such as shopping, planning meals and doing household tasks. Incentive schemes are used to encourage them to develop their personal care and organisational skills. Planned recreational activities linked to young people's interests and hobbies support them to mix with their peers and facilitates their social skills.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The house is a detached property in a rural setting. Public transport is not easy to access but staff use the home's car to take young people out and about. Lack of access to public transport is not yet an issue as the young people are not ready to travel independently.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides a domestic style environment for young people to live in. Furniture and furnishings are of good quality and homely touches such as rugs, pictures and ornaments are evident. The standard of décor is clean and generally in good repair. The large kitchen is well equipped and is also used as a dining space. There is a separate laundry room housing a washing machine and tumble dryer. Young people make good use of all these facilities. An education room is also provided equipped with a computer, tables and books.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Each young person has a good sized single bedroom. These are furnished and decorated in line with their wishes and interests; they are highly personalised. A shared bathroom with toilet and washbasin is provided for young people. This is maintained in good order.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Outside there is a large garden to one side of the house and at the rear. This contains some wooden play equipment and provides a good space for young people to relax and play in.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity within the service is good. Young people's rights are respected and promoted. Their individual needs are clearly understood and their plans and records reflect their individuality. Direct work with young people is undertaken and is effective in educating them about their choices and helping them to solve problems. Their heritage and identity is promoted in a sensitive way, in accordance with their needs. Young people have equal access to facilities and services to support their development and integration in to the community.

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Organisation

A relevant and clear Statement of Purpose sets out the service the home provides and this is consistent with how the home operates. The manager regularly reviews the contents to make sure information is up-to-date. This provides parents and professionals with a clear description of the home and information about those working there.

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Organisation

Staff demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting positive outcomes for the young people. The staff team offers a gender balance and is comprised of long standing and more recently appointed persons. A minimum staffing level of two on duty at any one time is maintained. This is sufficient to ensure young people receive individual attention when they need or request it.

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Organisation

New staff are appropriately inducted and receive mandatory training such as child protection and behaviour management. Probation periods ensure staff are suitable following initial recruitment. In addition, systems in the company are in place to monitor practice. This helps to ensure staff act consistently in the best interest of the young people.

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Organisation

Staff are supported to gain a qualification in caring for children and young people. Due to changes within the staff team since the last inspection, the minimum ratio of 80% qualified persons is not yet met. However, newly appointed staff are already working towards the qualification and care is taken to ensure they work alongside experienced colleagues. Staff are also able to undertake a variety of training courses relevant to young people's individual needs. This ensures young people are cared for by a sufficient number of staff who have a range of knowledge and skills.

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Organisation

Staff support systems are effective in practice; regular supervision, staff meetings and daily handover sessions provide frequent opportunities for staff to discuss issues relating to the care of the young people and the running of the home. This assists staff in providing a consistent service to young people and supports continuity in their care.

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Organisation

A representative of the company monitors the quality of the service offered to the young people. Monthly visits are undertaken and reports produced to inform the development plan for the home. Young people's views are sought and contribute to decision making.

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Organisation

Young people's records are accessible and provide evidence that their care and support needs are regularly reviewed. Young people are encouraged to sign their records to demonstrate their awareness of what is recorded about them. This helps young people feel involved in recording about their daily lives.

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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 copy of the Local Children's Safeguarding Board procedures is kept in the home (NMS 17.2)  ensure positive steps are taken to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from risk of fire, in respect of the oil fired boiler (NMS 26.1)  ensure written placement plans show the contribution to be made by the staff (in terms of measurable targets in young people's plans) and how the effectiveness of the placement is to be assessed (NMS 2.1)  ensure a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff have completed their Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. (NMS 29.5)

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