Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Unique reference number SC358638 Inspection date 15/09/2010 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 11/02/2010 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 part of an organisation operated by a private company. The home is registered to care for one young person from the age of eight up to 17- years-old on admission, who suffers with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers opportunities for the young person to develop socially acceptable skills and gain an understanding of independence. The home is a semi-detached house in a residential area and close to local amenities. To the rear of the building is a small mature garden and there is there is driveway which can accommodate 3 cars.

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Brief description of the service

The young person resident in the home on the day of the inspection was in education and unable to take part in 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 unannounced interim inspection focussed on the outcome achieved by the home in the 'staying safe' group, as identified in the 'Every Child Matters' outcome groups. Other outcomes were not assessed during this visit, as they were assessed as 'good' when last inspected and will be the focus of the next visit to the service.

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Summary

The overall quality rating for this setting is good. Young people receive appropriate guidance and support from staff and as a result they are making good progress in managing their own challenging behaviours. The acting manager is currently in the process of completing an application for Registered Manager.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

young people live in a safe and homely environment and their right to privacy is well observed. Young people have their own bedroom, which they are encouraged to personalise. Staff ensure that any personal information or communication with parents and other professionals is kept confidential. Staff take seriously all concerns or complaints young people may have. The complaint policy and contacts for children's advocates are simply summarised in the young persons' guide produced by the home. The Area Manager monitors the complaints record to make sure that young people's rights and entitlements are upheld and that the process is responsive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people living at the home are fully protected from exploitation or abuse. Local Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) procedures are available in the home and all members of staff have received training in child protection and safeguarding. Young people are protected from bullying. The home has policies and procedures in place, to advise members of staff of what action to take if a young person is being bullied. Each young person has a thorough and up-to-date risk assessment, which includes the likelihood of them being a bully or being a victim of bullying. Members of staff working at the home have received training in countering bullying. There have been no incidents of bullying since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted and encouraged to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Behaviour management strategies are in place for each young person. The home has policies and procedures in place, for the safe holding and restraint of young people. Members of staff have all received training in safe holding techniques. Restraint records are maintained and there have been a number of occasions since the last inspection, where it has been necessary for young people to be held or restrained. Restraint records are retained in a separate bound and numbered book used specifically for that purpose. Sanctions records are also maintained in line with requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people, members of staff and visitors are protected from fire and other hazards within the home. All visitors to the home are asked to identify themselves and to sign the visitors book prior to being given entry to the building. The home has a stable, consistent and committed staff team. There are good recruitment and selection processes in place. Safety checks are carried out to ensure the suitability of each applicant. Full written details of each Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, carried out on each member of staff is kept at the head office. Members of staff have provided references from previous employers or those that know them.

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