Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hopscotch Solutions Limited in Rutland

Unique reference number SC065071 Inspection date 03/08/2010 Inspector Mary Timms Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 19/01/2010 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 a residential special school that provides care an education to children diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. The service cares for children for more than 295 days each year, therefore has been registered as a children’s home. The home has been registered since the 31 October 2005 and can accommodate up to 11 young people. Eight young people currently live in this home, seven of whom were present during this inspection.

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Brief description of the service

The home and school are located in the same premises. The building has been developed to meet the needs of the young people it accommodates. In the main residence there is a lounge, dining room, a soft room and a sensory room as well as bathroom facilities. All bedrooms, apart from one, are single. There is a large well- equipped kitchen, which serves both the school and residence, and a laundry room. There is also an annex close to the main building with a further three bedrooms, a lounge, conservatory, a small kitchen and a further classroom. There are well equipped play areas, one of which is accessed via the main lounge. A sensory garden has been created in one of the play areas. Classrooms are situated on the first floor and administration offices are situated on the ground floor and the second floor.

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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 is a well managed home where children receive high quality care delivered by a knowledgeable and caring staff team. There are robust and effective safeguarding systems in place which prioritise the protection of children. Children's health and wellbeing is promoted and healthy eating is encouraged. Children receive an excellent level of support and are encouraged to make personal choices, to develop new skills and to make a positive contribution.

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Improvements since the last inspection

No required actions or recommendations were set on the previous inspection of this home.

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Helping children to be healthy

The arrangements to support children to be healthy are outstanding. A thorough assessment of need is undertaken in consultation with involved health professionals and parents. Identified needs are reflected into extensive health care plans, which are readily available to inform staff practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Caring and knowledgeable staff have an excellent understanding of children's health needs and recognise their role in promoting children's good health. For example, staff are aware that physical activity is important to good health and encourage children to be active each day. The service closely monitors children's health and responds promptly to emerging health concerns. There is good consultation with health professionals and children are supported to attend expected health checks. As a result care arrangements are informed by up-to-date guidance from a health professional.

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Helping children to be healthy

A safe system of medication administration is operated. There is close management oversight of the medication administration system and any areas identified for improvement are acted upon promptly. Each child has a secure cabinet for their individual medication. Medication profiles and requirements are reflected into placement plans. Medication administration training is facilitated for staff. The safety of the medication administration system has been endorsed verbally in a recent visit by a community pharmacist. A recommendation has been made within this report to obtain this in writing. Specific training for the administration of emergency medication for epilepsy has been provided by a health professional. However, there is a lack of clarity within records of when refresher training is required, necessary to ensure that the current competency of staff is endorsed by the relevant professional.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a balanced and varied diet which reflects their needs and personal preferences. Dietary restrictions and needs relating to children's health, culture and religion are identified and supported by the service. For example, staff consult with parents about cultural preferences and where appropriate children are able to shop for and to prepare cultural foods of their choice. Staff promote healthy eating and encourage children to try new foods and to make healthy choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe, their welfare is promoted and they are protected from abuse. Effective systems are in place which inform and guide staff practice and there is excellent management monitoring of the arrangements to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a safe living environment. There are effective health and safety monitoring systems in place which identify areas for improvement at an early stage. For example, a wide range of weekly, monthly and six monthly monitoring checks are undertaken by a member of staff with dedicated responsibility. All staff understand that they have a responsibility to monitor issues of health and safety. Fire safety is prioritised. A fire safety risk assessment informs and guides the protection of children. Staff understand the fire safety procedures and their role in the protection of children should a real fire occur. Children are protected from leaving the premises without staff supervision. The grounds are surrounded by a high fence and exits are restricted by a key pad locking system.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's privacy is respected. Personal preferences and an assessment of need guide the provision of intimate personal care. Staff provide direct support to children in privacy whilst encouraging them, when appropriate, to complete some self care tasks themselves. Children are further protected by the manner in which the delivery of personal care is closely monitored by managers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by robust staff recruitment procedures. All required checks are undertaken prior to staff commencing work in the home. The identity of visitors is clarified before they are allowed access to the home. Contractors working on site are not allowed unsupervised access to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour is well managed and staff understand children's behaviour in the context of their disabilities. Broad and detailed behaviour management plans are produced which set out clearly the agreed behaviour management strategies for each child. There is a high staff to child ratio which means that children are well supervised. Staff comments include 'the very good staffing levels allow us to intervene quickly to safeguard children'. Staff attend behaviour management training which provides them with skills to de-escalate and manage incidents of challenging behaviour. Sanctions are used rarely and only with children who understand the concept of consequences to actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive well organised personal and group support which enables them to enjoy planned care arrangements and to achieve their potential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A thorough assessment of need is undertaken for each child, which includes support needs relating to individual disabilities, culture, religion and communication support requirements. Committed staff provide children with a high standard of well-planned care and support. Staff afford patient encouragement to children to take small steps towards meeting agreed targets. For example, to manage a targeted area of personal hygiene or a change to a behaviour. Children are supported to access a range of community resources and to take part in activities outside of the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational needs are met by the school provided on site. Personal achievement is promoted and children are encouraged to learn new skills. Care staff support children during the school day and work closely with education staff to provide consistent care to children. Children's progress is reviewed and evaluated jointly by both staff teams. Staff have attended a range of diverse workshops, including henna painting, bollywood and Chinese dance, which have provided them with new skills to use when working with children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care needs are identified in consultation with parents and involved professionals. Well detailed placement plans are produced which guide the delivery of a high standard of care. The service contributes to the looked after child review process and the progress children make is closely monitored and evaluated. As a result care planning is both current and effective.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff keep parents informed of their child's progress and update them of important issues as they arise. Comments from parents include 'I am kept up-to-date each week with a weekly phone call and a home school diary', and, 'The school is amazing and I am involved in all decisions about my child's health and education'. Children are able to receive visits from their parents and are supported to maintain telephone contact with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported to make a positive contribution and to make personal choices. Staff understand children's communication needs and work hard to ensure that children have a say in day-to-day arrangements. For example, personal preferences are reflected in the menu; children may choose which clothes they wear and their preferred activities. The children are involved in delivering the local parish magazine and assist with community tasks within the local village.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children are supported to reach goals and to learn new skills. Targeted areas of action are set out clearly in children's placement plans. For some children this may be very small steps towards an agreed target, such as increasing their vocabulary with a new word. For other children this may be shopping for and preparing a meal for themselves. Staff are committed in their support for children to reach their potential and they encourage independence wherever possible.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Children live in accommodation which has been well designed to meet individual and group needs. The home is maintained to a high standard and is furnished in-line with children's needs. Children have single bedrooms laid out and decorated to suit their individual preferences and needs. Bathrooms are easily accessible from children's bedrooms and provide privacy during the provision of personal care. Larger rooms facilitate shared living requirements and activities. There are also smaller rooms available to support individual needs. For example, there is a soft room, a small kitchenette and a sensory room, although this is currently unavailable due to planned improvements. Children have access to several different outside areas leading from the home, each of which is secure. There is a 'sensory garden area' and outside play equipment is provided to encourage children to enjoy the garden and to be active.

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Organisation

This is a well managed home where children are cared for by dedicated and well trained staff. The Registered Manager is supported by two deputy managers, who are appropriately experienced to deputise when required. There is a core of very experienced and knowledgeable staff, who take a lead within the delivery of care and who provide support and guidance to less experienced staff members.

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Organisation

There is a culture of good communication and structured systems within which the staff team receive an excellent level of support. There is a generous staff to child ratio at all times. Staffing levels are assessed and planned to ensure that individual needs will be met appropriately. New staff undertake an induction programme which reflects the standards set by the Children's Workforce Development Council. A programme of core staff training is provided which includes, safeguarding children, food hygiene, first aid, fire safety, autism awareness and behaviour management. As a result staff deliver high quality care and understand how best to support children.

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Organisation

Children and families are issued with a copy of the home's Statement of Purpose, which reflects the facilitates and service provided. A summary of information is also reproduced into a children's guide.

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Organisation

There is excellent management oversight of the quality of care received by children. A monthly review is undertaken by an external manager, who produces a report which may identify areas for further improvement. The management team undertake a range of monitoring checks and promote opportunities for reflection and evaluation of the progress children are making. Managers record structured observations of staff practice and, when necessary, areas for improvement are taken forward to supervision meetings.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Children are involved in the local community. They deliver a parish magazine, have fixed bird feeders in the community and undertake litter picking in the local village. Children's individual needs are reflected clearly into planning documents, including needs relating to disability, gender, culture and religion. There is excellent support afforded to children which enables them to learn new skills and to try new experiences, both within the home and in the community.

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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):  ensure that there is a policy and written guidance in relation to the dispensing and administration of medication. In particular this relates to the need to include within current procedures the secondary dispensing of some medication and to obtain the written endorsement of the community pharmacist this area of practice (NMS 13.10)  ensure that the need for staff to carry out skilled health tasks for children is supported by the written authorisation of the prescribing doctor or responsible nurse for the individual child concerned. In particular this relates to the need to clarify which staff have the written authorisation of the relevant health professional and to confirm when refresher training is due. (NMS 13.3)

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