Children's Home run by Care Afloat Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC006011 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Sharon Lloyd / Caroline Jones Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 21/09/2010 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children aged from eight to 17 years. It is situated on a main road with access to public transport, health, shopping and leisure facilities. It is a detached property surrounded by large gardens. Downstairs is a lounge, a kitchen diner, a small phone room and an office for staff. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, a bathroom and two staff sleep-in rooms.

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Brief description of the service

The one young person currently resident at the home participated in the inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection and the national minimum standards relating to the outcome staying safe were inspected. Recommendations following the last inspection were also followed up.

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Summary

This is a high quality service that provides young people with a safe and caring environment in which to develop. There is a stable and competent staff team that work together with other agencies to promote the safety and well-being of young people. Young people are encouraged to thrive and benefit from sensitive and caring practices; they comment 'we are like a close family and I'm a changed person because of the way they have kept me safe.' There are recommendations for good practice required following this inspection in relation to organisation; however, these do not have a detrimental effect on the outcomes for young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the Registered Manager was required to make improvements to the service. Seven recommendations were made; most of them have now been addressed. In relation to staying safe young people are routinely offered an independent person to discuss the reason for their absence from home and records are updated to reflect this. Young people are provided with educational opportunities and library membership to improve their outcomes around enjoying and achieving.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Provision is available for new staff to receive one-to-one supervision during the first six months of employment and experienced, permanent members of staff lead shifts. The recommendation for 80% of staff to have relevant child care qualifications to support them in their work with young people has been partially addressed as members of staff who are not yet qualified are currently studying for childcare qualifications and two are awaiting enrolment. Foundation training for new staff in core areas of childcare practice is not fully achieved to date. There are no records to show that staff have undertaken all core training; however, the induction programme has recently been revised to address this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are proactive in promoting young people's right to privacy and confidentiality. Young people have their own bedrooms with door locks that can be overridden in case of an emergency; furthermore staff gain permission before entering. All documentation is securely stored and young people have easy access to a private telephone. This affords value and dignity to young people who say 'they respect me and I respect them'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are provided with excellent information about the complaints process, consequently they are well aware of their right to complain and fully understand how to raise any dissatisfaction. Written records are available relating to complaints received; however, there have been no complaints since the last inspection. Staff view complaints positively as a way of gaining valuable feedback to improve practice and services, this encourages young people to express their views freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a policy in respect of anti-bullying that is reinforced throughout the practices within the home to ensure that young people feel safe and secure. There are creative ways of countering bullying behaviour that involve encouraging relationships between young people through activities and discussions. An established and experienced staff team develop close relationships with young people, this provides the opportunity for staff to act promptly if any incidents do occur, minimising the potential and effects of bullying upon young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have an in-depth knowledge and practical experience of safeguarding young people which is reflected in their robust response to young people's individual needs for protection. Staff encourage young people to keep themselves safe and work constructively and promptly with other agencies to minimise the potential harm and risks to young people. Additionally, young people missing from home are responded to positively on their return and offered an independent person to discuss the circumstances of their absence. Multi-agency working, without delay, is an exceptional strength of the home and is at the forefront of the home's safeguarding practice. Young people comment: 'If I go off the rails they direct me, I feel very safe here.' Staff receive guidance and training in positive behaviour management strategies and all recordings of sanctions and physical interventions are appropriate, regularly reviewed and include the opportunity for young people to record their views.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Placement plans, risk assessments and incident reports correlate to provide a robust mechanism for responding to young people's changing needs for safety and protection. Young people are supported to develop positive behaviour through the fostering of relationships with staff and the emphasis upon reward and praise; any physical intervention is used as a last resort only. These practices encourage stability for young people and minimise the potential for placement disruption. Young people say: 'When you're young you push the boundaries but now I have a stable staff team, its better.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home where health and safety matters are a priority in ensuring a safe, clean and secure environment. Written records clearly show that staff carry out routine health and safety checks around the premises and safety and insurance certificates are up to date and displayed. Regular fire drills take place to ensure young people and staff are aware of an emergency evacuation route in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Recruitment and vetting procedures are in place that help safeguard young people from coming into contact with potential abusers. A rigorous recruitment process, including Criminal Records Bureau and reference checks is undertaken before any appointment of staff is made. Records of visitors are maintained and identification is requested where appropriate to ensure the safety of young people.

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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

 demonstrate that all new staff receive foundation training in core areas, including first aid, food hygiene, medicine administration and child protection within the first six months of working at the home (NMS 31.3)  ensure a minimum of 80% of staff obtain a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in the Care of Children and Young People (NMS 29.5)  ensure there is an up to date written record, maintained in the home detailing the staff employed there. (NMS 30.1).

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