Children's Home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC065792 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 09/12/2010 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 children's home is operated and owned by a registered charity. The home provides medium to long-term therapeutic placements for young people. It can accommodate up to five young people, of either gender, aged between 11 and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a five bedroom, two storey property with surrounding gardens. It is situated on the outskirts of a small village but within easy reach of local amenities in local market towns and a nearby city.

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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 examined the outcome area of staying safe. It also looked at the progress the setting has made with the statutory requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection in December 2010. These related to the keeping of young people's records and medication records. The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve these matters.

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Summary

Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation were not assessed during this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered persons were asked to make three improvements at the last inspection. They were asked to ensure all entries on case records are signed and dated by the author, that medication records are signed and placement plans capture the contribution by staff in relation to young people's diverse needs. These matters have been addressed and help to ensure young people's records are well kept and reflect their history accurately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a policy in place regarding the searching of a young person's possessions for their welfare and safety. There have been no searches undertaken. Young people have access to a telephone to keep in touch with people important to them. Their information is stored securely, which promotes and protects their rights. Locks are fitted to bathrooms and toilets, which affords young people privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A complaints procedure is available that is known and understood by staff. This assists them to provide support to young people where needed or required. Good information is available to young people about the home's complaints procedure and how to contact other independent organisations. They can therefore access a system that promotes and protects their rights. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and the home's own child protection procedures are available. They are accessible to staff who understand them and this helps them to keep young people safe. Young people stated they feel safe at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An anti-bullying policy is in place that is known and understood by staff to help them keep young people safe. There have been some minor bullying incidents; however, these are addressed quickly by staff. Staff speak regularly to young people about bullying and there are good supervision levels in place. A young person said they felt safe and happy at the home and have no concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are procedures in place regarding the absence of any young person without authority. Staff understand these procedures and know how to implement them. This helps them to safeguard young people. There have been no absences since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have good relationships with staff. There are a range of behaviour management policies that guide staff on encouraging positive behaviour. There have been no sanctions recorded since the last inspection. Physical restraints undertaken by staff are fully written in the relevant record. These show that interventions used are to keep young people and others safe. However, records use jargon, which means not everyone reading the records will understand the incident fully and the way that young people were held.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are in place that show young people's likely and known activities. They are also in place for the home's premises and grounds. These are kept up to date. Staff know and follow these to help keep young people safe. Other health and safety matters are managed very well. For example, regular maintenance takes place of portable electrical appliances, the fire alarm and fire equipment. Fire drills take place regularly, which are recorded; however, these do not show staff names and young people's initials. This means it is not possible to tell whether all young people and staff have taken part in a drill so they know what to do to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no new staff recruited since the last inspection. The home has a policy for the recruitment of new employees. This means checks undertaken ensure new staff are the right people to work with children and 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

 ensure that entries in restraint records do not include the use of jargon (NMS 22.9)  ensure that fire drill records include the names of staff and initials of young people. (NMS 26.8)

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