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

Unique reference number SC367551 Inspection date 16/09/2010 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/02/2010 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 service is a children's home that is registered to care for three young people from the age of eight to 17 years old on admission, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers the opportunities for the young people to develop socially acceptable skills and gain an understanding of independence.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a modern three-storey detached house close to local amenities. To the rear of the building there is a small garden with a conservatory, and there is parking space for two cars on the front driveway.

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Brief description of the service

There were three young people resident on the day of the inspection and all were in education at the time of the visit and did not 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 focused 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 rating remains good and the staff in the home continue to provide a safe, happy environment for young people. Currently the setting has an acting manager in position, whose application for Registered Manager is being processed by Ofsted.

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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

Staff show a high regard for the privacy of young people and for maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality in the home. Complaints and concerns raised by young people and by members of the public are responded to appropriately within given timescales. There is information displayed in the home about complaints. There is also information displayed about independent advocates and organisations, that young people can approach for help if they wish to raise a concern.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a clear procedure in place for dealing with child protection concerns and has very good links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. All staff receive child protection training as part of their induction and this is updated at least annually. There are good staffing levels in the home and this helps to prevent bullying. Young people receive information about bullying in the young person's guide. Staff are aware of the home's policy and would act on any information that bullying might be taking place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are individual plans in place for each young person. Plans detail action to be taken, including timescales, and specific people to notify when a young person is absent without authority. Staff do go out and look for young people who are missing. They make arrangements to collect them if their whereabouts is known. The home notifies all persons and appropriate authorities listed in schedule 5 of significant events that have occurred. They routinely make contact with parents and those significant to the young person where this is appropriate to let them know about the event.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team see young people in a positive light. They base their management of behaviour on active encouragement of acceptable behaviour. The young person's guide and house rules contain information about acceptable behaviour. Staff work with young people in key work sessions and house meetings to ensure they understand the procedures in place. The use of rewards is promoted and the use of sanctions kept to a minimum. The acting manager reviews the sanctions and rewards to see which, if any, are most effective. Young people are encouraged to add their comments to the sanctions record.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place for all aspects of the safety of the premises and grounds. Young people's behaviours, activities and outings are also assessed and these are taken into account when planning shifts. There is a high awareness of fire safety amongst staff who ensure young people are aware of the fire procedures in place when they arrive at the home. Fire drills are carried out regularly and at different times of the day and night. Detailed records are kept of fire safety equipment checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors are required to sign in and out and are monitored throughout their stay at the home. The vetting of staff is comprehensive and thorough and all records are kept at the head office. Staff are not confirmed in post until all relevant checks are cleared and the member of staff has completed an induction process and a probationary period.

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