Children's Home run by Radical Services Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC061158 Inspection date 03/09/2010 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 26/02/2010 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 two storey, three bedroom terraced house situated in a residential area and is within walking distance of the local town centre and a range of amenities. The front of the building has a paved area and there is a garden to the rear of the property. The ground floor contains a communal lounge, kitchen with dining area and utility room. All sleeping accommodation, bathroom and toilet facilities are sited on the upper floor.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for one young person of either sex, from 12 years to 17 years of age. Any young person accommodated has their own bedroom. The other two bedrooms are utilised for staff sleeping-in and for office space.

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Brief description of the service

The home accommodates one young person who was present at the time of the inspection.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced key inspection looked at all key standards and examined all outcome areas.

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Summary

This children's home is a satisfactory service. It has strengths in the way risks are assessed to keep young people safe, in the way positive relationships and behaviour are promoted and encouraged and in the individual support provided to young people.

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Summary

Areas identified for improvement are: ensuring the Registered Manager receives required supervision; the Statement of Purpose contains all required information; all staff undertake a fire drill; and the home is suitably furnished, kept in good repair and reasonably maintained. Other areas for improvement include: revising a number of procedures; providing healthy, nutritious food for young people; devising a robust leaving care plan for young people; and providing staff with required training. The home also needs to improve its internal monitoring systems and visitors under Regulation 33 need to attain young people's views about their care where possible.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered persons were asked at the last inspection to make improvements in the home. They were asked to ensure recruitment records were robust, placement plans were up to date and risk assessments are detailed and include the likelihood and severity of any risks. These matters have been addressed and help to ensure young people are better safeguarded, cared for and overall provision is improved.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered persons were asked at the last inspection to ensure the Statement of Purpose contained all required matters, to revise the health policy and to ensure visitors under Regulation 33 consult young people. These matters have not been addressed and further statutory requirements and a recommendation will be raised in this report about these matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

A menu is kept of what food is provided for young people. Food provided is not always sufficiently varied, healthy or balanced in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. Young people have the opportunity to shop for food and also prepare and cook meals with assistance and guidance from staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

A policy is in place that shows how the home intends to promote the health of young people. However, this does not cover all required matters, such as nutrition and food and exercise and rest. Health planning is good and clearly indicates what a young person's assessed health needs are and how these will be met by the home. There are recorded outcomes that show what health needs have been addressed and support that is being provided for any ongoing matters.

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Helping children to be healthy

Secure storage is in place for all medication kept by the home for young people. Consent is in place for the administration of first aid and homely remedies where these are required. This ensures the risk of any adverse reaction to any treatments is reduced. Medication records kept are accurate and clear. They show that the young people get the medication they need to stay healthy. Staff are trained in first aid and in the safe handling of medication, which helps to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's information is stored safely and securely. They have access to a telephone to keep in touch with people important to them. A policy and procedure is in place for when it is necessary to search young people's belongings. Records are made of all such events. This helps to promote and protect young people's rights.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is good information available for all young people about the home's complaint procedures. Information is freely accessible. Any young person can therefore access a system that promotes and protects their rights. However, the home's written procedures are not robust or afford clarity so staff can fully support young people and ensure complaints are addressed appropriately. For example, the procedure states that all complaints go to the service manager, yet the organisation does not have an individual who's role is service manager. The procedure then determines that the home manager can attempt to resolve the complaint informally in contrast to the previous statement about the service manager dealing with all complaints. There is no indication of how complaints against the registered person are dealt with. Staff understand the procedure to be followed to support young people, however are not trained in the home's complaints procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures is available and accessible to staff in the home. The home has its own child protection procedure; however this has a number of shortfalls that could lead to young people not being fully protected or safeguarded. For example, the procedure determines that child abuse occurs to children under the age of 16 years. The Children Act 1989 defines children as being under the age of 18 years. The procedure does not define how allegations against the registered person are dealt with. It determines that confidential child protection information should be recorded on young people's files. This is contrary to best practice if this information is then available to others while an investigation is ongoing. There have been no child protection referrals since the last inspection. Staff understand the procedure to follow should they suspect an incident of abuse had occurred at the home in order to protect young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A bullying policy is in place that identifies how the home will address any bullying. The home is single placement at this time so bullying of child upon child is negligible. The bullying policy does not include that staff will be trained in strategies to counter all forms of bullying. A risk assessment is in place regarding the times, places and circumstances that the risk of bullying is greatest and strategies to counter that risk and protect young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A procedure regarding the absence of any young person without authority is in place. The procedure does not consider different legal status of young people and is contrary to matters set out in national minimum standards and regulations. For example, it states staff are only required to contact the placing authority if a child is missing for an extended period of time. This means that young people could be placed at risk as appropriate agencies are not informed in a timely manner to take action to safeguard a young person. There have been no absences since the last inspection. Staff are aware of the procedure to follow should a young person be absent, in order to safeguard them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good relationships are evident between staff and young people. Written policies and procedures are in place for staff regarding behaviour management. The home has in place sanction and restraint records; however there have been none recorded since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Written risk assessments are in place and kept up-to-date regarding young people's likely and known activities and in relation to the premises. These are detailed, outline likelihood and severity and help to keep the young people safe. Most other health and safety matters are managed well. For example maintenance and checks are carried out on fixed wiring, the gas boiler, portable electrical appliances and fire equipment. Fire tests and drills are carried out regularly. However, not all staff have been involved in a fire drill so they know what to do to keep young people and themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a written record of the recruitment process followed in respect of all staff. All required information is in place and ensures that those employed are the right people to work with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are provided with good individualised support and guidance. They can approach any staff member for advice or about any concerns they have. Young people receive appropriate education and advice in personal, health and health promotion matters. They have a person independent of the home they can contact if they wish about any matters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home has an education policy. The policy is focused on demonstrating the range of educational services that the provider has at its disposal, but is limited about how it will promote and support the educational attainment of young people. Young people accommodated who are not of statutory school age are provided with support to look for employment that is suitable to their needs and choices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Placement plans are developed that set out the assessed needs of young people and how these needs will be met on a day-to-day basis. Outcomes from planned needs are recorded and evidence good care is provided. Formal reviews of young people's care plans take place as required and the outcomes are recorded. Contact arrangements are clear and show that young people are enabled to keep in touch with those people important to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A policy is in place regarding the admission of any young person to the home. The policy is reflected in the Statement of Purpose. Young people receive good information about the home and what it is like and can bring with them their own possessions. Young people are encouraged to choose the décor and furnishings for their room.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are given a range of opportunities to have their say about care at the home and the way the home functions and operates. Regular keyworker sessions take place and young people can attend staff meetings in order to contribute their views. Placing authorities and families are asked their opinion on the functions of the home and care provided.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people does not always have in place a comprehensive plan that determines the support, assistance, skills and guidance they need for the transition to adulthood and independent living. A placing authority has not provided to the home on request a pathway or leaving care plan. The home has supported young people in developing some required skills, such as shopping, budgeting, cooking and cleaning, but has not covered the range of skills and matters set out in the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. The means the young people may not have all the knowledge and skills necessary to feel confident when moving on to independent living.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Most areas of the home are well decorated and furnished and conducive to the care of any young person. However, the fitted kitchen, utility area and associated floor coverings are very worn, damaged in places and are not suitable or appropriate for use.

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Organisation

The Statement of Purpose contains satisfactory information for placing authorities, parents and others about the home and the services it provides. It does not provide sufficient details about its staffing policy or details about the registered person and their experience and qualifications. The children's guide provides good information for young people about the home and what to expect.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is satisfactory. An equality and diversity policy is in place that shows how the home intends to address and promote such matters. The home plans for most of a young person's individualised assessed needs, including religious and cultural needs, though plans and preparation for independent living are limited. Young people are treated with dignity and respect and they have access to a complaints system that promotes and protects their rights. Contact arrangements are in place and there is access for young people to external agencies and individuals. Staff are not trained in equality and diversity matters.

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Organisation

Staff at the home are experienced, knowledgeable, qualified and have undertaken most required training. They understand the needs of young people very well and know the home's processes and procedures. Some important training required by staff to care safely for young people and to the best of their ability is lacking. For example not all staff are trained in the home's complaints procedures, fire safety and in issues of race, ethnicity, religion and culture.

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Organisation

Staff receive satisfactory formal supervision from their line manager. Supervision occurs regularly, though there are some gaps and appraisals are carried out where required. The Registered Manager does not receive supervision to the frequency required and therefore does not receive the formal support required to deliver a high quality service to young people.

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Organisation

External monitoring of the home takes place on a regular basis. A report is provided of the visit and actions to help improve the home are highlighted. However, the visitors do not routinely speak to the young people to gain their views of the care provided and the home's operation and functions.

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Organisation

Internal monitoring of the home is carried out regularly by the Registered Manager. Most matters are robustly monitored and include the young people's views of the home and their care. Monitoring does not identify all shortfalls and take action to make improvements in the home. For example the food provided to young people is not always healthy or balanced in order to promote a healthy lifestyle and not all staff have undertaken a fire drill.

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Organisation

Young people's files contain all required information so they can make sense of their care at the home and their history.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

1 revise the Statement of Purpose so it consists of all the matters listed in Schedule 1; specifically item 4 of that Schedule (Regulation 4) 30/09/2010

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Std. Action Due date

10 provide young people with food which is wholesome and nutritious and sufficiently varied (Regulation 13) 04/10/2010

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Std. Action Due date

16 revise the written complaints procedure so it contains all the matters set out in the regulation; specifically so it deals with complaints about the registered person (Regulation 24) 04/10/2010

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Std. Action Due date

17 revise the written child protection procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect to include all children, defined as under 18 years of age as in the Children Act 1989, and all matters in NMS 17 and the regulation (Regulation 16) 04/10/2010

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Std. Action Due date

24 ensure all parts of the children's home used by children are suitably furnished, kept in good repair and reasonably maintained (Regulation 31) 30/11/2010

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Std. Action Due date

26 ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that all the persons working at the home are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire (Regulation 32) 17/09/2010 28 ensure that the Registered Manager receives appropriate supervision; specifically provide the Registered Manager with supervision to the level set out in NMS 28 (Regulation 27) 30/09/2010

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Std. Action Due date

31 ensure all staff have completed training in fire safety, issues of race, ethnicity, religion and culture and in the home's complaints procedures (Regulation 27) 30/11/2010

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Std. Action Due date

32 ensure that visits made by the registered provider include an interview, with their consent and in private, with children accommodated there (Regulation 33) 01/10/2010

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Std. Action Due date

33 robustly monitor the matters set out in Schedule 6; specifically identify any shortfalls and the action taken to improve provision to children accommodated. (Regulation 34) 01/10/2010

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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 the policy and written guidance on promoting the health of children in the home includes the matters set out in NMS 12.5 (NMS 12)  revise the written complaints procedure so it makes clear the process that is followed for any complaint (NMS 16)  revise the policy on countering bullying to include training for staff in awareness of, and effective strategies to counter, bullying (NMS 18)  revise the written procedures regarding absence without authority to include all the matters in NMS 19 (NMS 19)  revise the education policy to show how the home intends to promote and support the educational attainment of children throughout the time that they live at the home (NMS 14)  devise and implement a comprehensive plan for young people preparing to leave care and move to independent or semi-independent living; ensure the plan covers the skills and support required by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000

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Recommendations

(NMS 6)  revise the Statement of Purpose so it sets out all matters in NMS 30.2. (NMS 30)

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