Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC005050 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 02/11/2010 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 is a children's home that is part of a large organisation. The home provides care for five boys aged between 11 and 17-years-old who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a modernised and adapted farmhouse situated in a rural and remote location. On the ground floor there is a kitchen, dining room which is also used as a games room, a lounge, three bedrooms, toilet facilities, a shower room and a staff office. On the first floor there are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a family room. Education can be offered on site as the home is now also a registered school, or at either of the two other educational facilities run by the organisation. The home has transport which, due to the location of the home, is used to take the young people out for social, educational, medical and leisure needs.

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Brief description of the service

Staffing is dependent on the needs of young people and occupancy levels. When there is full occupancy there are three staff on duty during waking hours, one sleeping-in staff and one waking night staff. There are on-call arrangements.

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Brief description of the service

There are five young people currently living at the home. Three of whom contributed to this report, one in depth.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

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

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Summary

At this unannounced random inspection the outcome of staying safe was inspected. Steps taken in response to previous recommendations were also assessed.

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Summary

This is an outstanding setting. The Registered Manager's dynamic, forward thinking approach contributes strongly to the positive outcomes for the young people. The thorough behaviour management techniques and knowledge of the young people and their needs is a major strength. The warm, skilled and professional staff team have created a culture in which young people are safeguarded and encouraged to make strides. Young people were happy, secure and able to participate in the process. One young person stated 'course it's safe here.'

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that there was a policy in place regarding the storage, handling and administration of medication and that there was a written record of all first aid administered to young people. These matters have now been fully met thereby promoting the health and safety of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home values confidentiality and privacy. Young people have their own lockable bedrooms and access to shared bathrooms. These can be opened by staff, not young people, from outside if there was an emergency. This maintains the young people's privacy and dignity. Young people have access to a free telephone to contact outside agencies if they wish. Their information is stored securely which protects their rights. A policy is in place regarding when it may be necessary to search a young person's room and possessions. Records show that this has not had to be used and no searches have been carried out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A complaints policy and procedure is in place which is fully understood by young people and staff. This protects young people's rights and promotes their safety. The home keeps a log of any complaints or compliments received. A parent wrote 'thank you for all your effort and hard work you have put in.' A young person stated 'why would I' when asked if he had ever made a complaint. Records show there have been no complaints since before the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This home has a strong child protection ethos. Dynamic staff members are appropriately trained in the home's own protocols and have access to the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures. A young person stated 'I'm safe here, it's great except it's so far out from everywhere.' There have been no child protection referrals since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have not been any recorded incidents of bullying and young people did not mention any bullying when given the opportunity to do so. The home has a 'zero tolerance' to bullying and staff are supported to maintain this by robust procedures, regular training, discussion in team meetings and a comprehensive risk assessment. This effectively protects young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are strong procedures in place for when a young person goes missing without authority. These are backed up by comprehensive individual risk assessments. Staff work proactively with young people to prevent them from going missing. One staff member stated 'It’s the atmosphere we create which deters absconding.' In addition work is undertaken with parents to support staff and safeguard young people. A staff member said 'We work on outreach with parents for them to encourage young people to stay rather than to run home.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Any absences are recorded and young people are offered the opportunity to speak with an independent person on their return to the home. These substantially contribute to the safety of a young person. There have been three incidences of absence since the last inspection, all involving the same young person. He stated, 'everything is ok, just wanted to go out on my own.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Enthusiastic, dedicated staff work well with the young people to create a positive atmosphere which promotes acceptable behaviours. Individual risk assessments are linked with the monthly care plan trackers and the Registered Manager has devised a graph which visually shows the young people where they have made improvements. Young people are able to record their comments on their progress and one young person stated 'they have helped me behave myself.'

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Restraints and sanction procedures and records are in place. These demonstrate that staff understand how to use them effectively and are monitored efficiently by management. There have been two restraints since the last inspection. Both were managed appropriately and positive work undertaken with the young person afterwards. One staff member said 'it's the use of praise, telling them how well they are doing, and sharing life with them.' The consequences of unacceptable behaviour therefore is clear to young people and staff. This promotes the safety of young people, encourages the growth of confidence and self-esteem and enables them to develop life skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by robust health and safety procedures. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the home, grounds and individual young people. All fire safety equipment and electrical appliances are routinely maintained and inspected. Fire drills are carried out at different times of day and night and staff are trained in the procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Vetting procedures for visitors and staff promote the safety of young people. A visitor can be seen approaching the home for some distance, all identity is checked and their presence in the home is recorded. Robust staff selection and recruitment processes are implemented. This ensures people looking after the young people demonstrate the home's commitment to young people and are suitable to carry out the task.

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