Children's Home run by Eastfield Group in Sefton

Unique reference number SC064663 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 01/11/2010 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

The home is a Victorian detached property in a village. The home provides for children and young people from the ages of 10 years to 17 years, with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over three floors, the ground floor includes a kitchen, two lounges and a dining room. Young people have their own rooms which are located on the upper floors. The home is close to local shops, transport links and community resources.

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Brief description of the service

Young people and staff participated in this inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

During this interim unannounced inspection the home's response to the action and recommendations made at the inspection in November 2010 were discussed. In addition, staying safe was also examined and continues to be judged as good.

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Summary

The young people who live at this home achieve good outcomes from their placement. Staff provide a safe environment. Safeguarding procedures ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities to keep young people safe.

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Summary

As a result of this inspection two good practice recommendations are made. These relate to documentation regarding room searches and staff training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one action and two recommendations were raised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The action was to ensure that the children's guide accurately describes what the home sets to do for the children, and includes the address and telephone number of Ofsted. This has been completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation was made in relation to maintaining accurate records in relation to medicines. This has been completed and maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, a recommendation was made to ensure that a minimum of 80% of all care staff have completed National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent qualification. This recommendation is repeated this inspection as it remains work in progress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good systems are in place to ensure that young people's privacy is respected. Young people have their personal information securely stored for their own privacy and protection. Information the home keeps about young people is treated confidentially and washing facilities provide young people with good protection to wash independently and privately of others. Young people spoken to confirm that staff respect their rights to choice, privacy and dignity. However, a number of room searches have taken place since the last inspection, the documentation of these doesn't consistently follow the standards. Also, some have been archived and were unable to be located for this inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear procedures in place for staff to respond to complaints, bullying and unauthorised absences. Staff awareness of these procedures ensures that young people's welfare and safety is actively promoted. Staff set time aside for young people, to express their views and make their feelings known. They do this through one-to-one key worker sessions and young people's meetings. This enables staff to identify issues or concerns early. There are also procedures in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant authorities of serious events involving young people to ensure that young people are protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have the collective and individual skills needed to respond to safeguarding issues and challenging situations. There are no current issues in respect of bullying or young people placing themselves, or others, at risk of significant harm. Staff are trained in an approved behaviour management approaches which promotes de- escalation techniques. Physical intervention is identified as a measure to be used as a last resort only. The approach is successfully implemented by staff, as there are few restraints noted since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are helped to develop socially acceptable behaviour by the use of praise and the implementation of consistently applied boundaries. The use of sanctions is minimal. Those sanctions that are used are proportionate, for example, bedtime half an hour early or the loss of a planned activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a safe environment. They are protected by a range of health and safety procedures and risk assessments. Health and safety matters are managed well in relation to fire, gas and other known hazards. Staff are subject to enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks prior to them working within the home. This ensures their suitability to work with children is properly assessed.

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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 appropriate records are in place for documenting any instances of room searches (NMS 9.8)  ensure that a minimum of 80% of all care staff have completed National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent qualification. (NMS 29.5)

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