Children's Home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Cumbria

Unique reference number SC356907 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 25/11/2010 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 seven-bedded children's home is one of three run by the company. There is also a purpose-built school on site. It is a detached house with its own extensive grounds. The home has access to a range of local facilities in a nearby town. Young people living in the home also have access to the facilities available in the city, which is approximately 20 minutes away. The site provides education and care for boys aged 10 to 17 years who have emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, including learning difficulties within or outside the autistic spectrum of disorder. The home provides en-suite accommodation for seven young people and separate school facilities for up to 14 learners aged 10 to 17 years. Communal areas include two lounges, a games room, a dining room and kitchen.

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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. As this was an interim inspection, it did not assess all of the key national minimum standards (NMS). However, the inspection did assess how well the Registered Manager and care staff protect and promote the safety of the young people in their care. The Registered Manager post has been vacant for over six months. The member of staff promoted to the post of manager has not yet to submitted his application to become Registered Manager.

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Summary

The inspection also assessed whether the three actions the previous key inspection had been addressed. One of the actions has been repeated as supervision for the school nurse continues not to occur regularly.

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Summary

There were five young people living in the home on the day of the inspection. Two young people were spoken to at length during the course of the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Three actions had been raised following the previous inspection. Two have been addressed and one remains outstanding and has been repeated. Fridge and freezer temperatures are taken and recorded each day. Night time fire drills are being implemented. However, the registered person is not ensuring that the nurse receives supervision within the required timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are sensitive to the needs of the young people living in the home and aware of the need to balance respect for privacy with safety. Staff work with young people to alert them to potential dangers their behaviours may place them in. This empowers them to make safe choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are familiar with the complaints procedure. They are confident that if they raise a concern with a staff member the issue will be dealt with. They all receive a young person's guide which includes telephone numbers and advice as to whom they can pass their concerns on to. Young people confirm that any issues they raise are usually sorted out informally by staff. The fact that the complaints log has no entries since the previous inspection would seem to confirm this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are clear about the risks that young people present. Risks are clearly identified and well monitored to help to ensure the safety of young people. Staff advise young people about how to keep themselves safe and this support is very individual. The staff team ensure young people have access to a range of professionals who are able to support their safety and well-being. This includes liaison with local organisations promoting knowledge of drugs, alcohol and sexual health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff are trained in safeguarding and are clear about what they should do if there is a safeguarding issue. All staff regularly update their training and are fully aware of the action they must take if a young person makes a disclosure to them. There have been no safeguarding referrals since the previous inspection. On occasions when such notifications are made, the home maintains appropriate records of any incidents. These actions show that the home has appropriate practices, policies and procedures in place, to protect young people from abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Anti-bullying is promoted in the home in line with the company's policies and procedures. Information is made readily available for young people on how to contact external agencies for advice and support if they need to. Staff acknowledge that young people do not always get on with each other, but confirm there is little bullying occurring at the home. The staff team work hard to create a harmonious atmosphere in the home and openly challenge any form of bullying, including verbal abuse. Young people spoken to advised that staff address any issues of bullying with all the young people concerned. This ensures that all parties understand the implications of their behaviours. The outcome of staff interventions results in young people advising that bullying is not a major problem in the home. Young people enjoy good relationships with staff. The staff team are skilled in diffusing situations to avoid the use of physical intervention. Staff are consistent in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

their approach and try to find the root of the problem so that young people can progress in their overall behaviour. Detailed reviews of the behaviours and sanctions given to young people are part of the discussion in staff meetings. Senior managers review all physical intervention records, however, not all records are signed to confirm this is routinely occurring. There has been a significant reduction in the use of physical intervention. Young people are protected and supported by staff who promote and implement effective risk and behaviour management strategies in their day-to-day practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is safely managed and maintained. The risk of fire is safely managed and detailed health and safety checks are carried out within timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The recruitment system in the home is robust and maintains good levels of safety for young people. This includes Criminal Records Bureau checks at enhanced level, proof of identity and references prior to employment. The Registered Manager is fully involved in the recruitment process so that the right candidate is selected according to the home's Statement of Purpose and the needs of young people.

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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

28 ensure that all staff employed receive appropriate training supervision and appraisal. In particular this relates to the need for ancillary staff and the school nurse to receive regular supervision (Regulation 27.4a) 30/04/2011

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Std. Action Due date

34 appoint an individual to manage the children's home. In particular the acting manager must apply to register with Ofsted without delay ( Regulation 7.1) 30/04/2011

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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

 record any comments on the appropriateness of individual use of restraint, together with any subsequent action taken and signs each entry to confirm the monitoring has taken place (NMS 22.11)

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