Children's Home run by Fairport Care Services Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC066129 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector Jackie Graves Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 15/12/2010 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 service is in a residential community near the seaside. It provides accommodation for up to three young people, aged between 12 and 18 years, who require immediate accommodation due to placement breakdown or current crisis in their lives.

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Brief description of the service

There is a lounge, kitchen, two staff offices and staff toilet on the ground floor. On the first floor there are two bathrooms, a staff bedroom and three bedrooms for young people.

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Brief description of the service

Considerable refurbishment has taken place to extend the premises and provide further communal space and a fourth bedroom. This is near completion. A large garden space is at the rear of the property with a smaller garden area to the front.

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Brief description of the service

Three young people currently live in the home. All three were in the home for part of the inspection.

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Summary

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

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Summary

A few hours notice was given of this interim inspection. Key standards under staying safe were assessed. Other individual outcome judgements, as well as the overall quality rating, were not reviewed on this occasion.

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Summary

There are excellent systems in place to keep young people safe and provide them with individualised support. Positive, consistent staff help the young people feel safe and secure. Staff manage challenging behaviour well. Close supervision ensures that young people are not absent without permission. Bullying is not an issue in the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home was asked to monitor room temperatures to ensure that there is sufficient heat in all rooms during cold weather. The home has made suitable arrangements to achieve this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides a safe, nurturing environment for young people where they can thrive and feel secure. Staff are fully aware of the young people's vulnerability and make sure they are not absent from the home without permission. There have been no recorded incidents of unauthorised absence from the home since the last inspection. Although staff supervise young people closely, they are also sensitive to their need for privacy and afford them as much as is possible according to their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff manage young people's behaviour consistently and positively. Clear boundaries are established and young people are encouraged to think about the triggers and consequences of their behaviour. There is an emphasis on acknowledging positive behaviour with praise and rewards. Those sanctions used are reasonable and fair, for example, making reparation for causing deliberate damage to the home. The home records all physical interventions used to keep young people safe, which may include, for example, a light touch to guide a young person away from a risky situation. Restraints are only used when appropriate and records of all physical interventions and incidents are monitored carefully to look for any emerging patterns or trends.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are clear procedures in place to ensure that young people are effectively safeguarded. This includes the provision of regular training for staff in keeping young people safe. There have been no issues regarding bullying in the home, although staff remain vigilant to ensure that none of the young people are bullied or instigate bullying. Staff are aware of young people's vulnerability and work well with schools to ensure that any young people experiencing bullying at school are fully supported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a detailed complaints policy in place. Young people are encouraged to raise any concerns or complaints with staff, the Regulation 33 visitor or agencies external to the home. This ensures that all complaints are taken seriously and young people receive clear outcomes to these.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety of the premises is promoted. Regular checks ensure that fire fighting equipment is in place and appropriately maintained. A fire risk assessment is updated to take into account recent building development. Both staff and young people are given a thorough induction to fire safety in the home and take part in regular drills to help them learn how to react in an emergency. The home is considering how to conduct a drill at night time which will not overly disrupt the young people's bedtime routines. Young people are protected by an effective staff recruitment process. This ensures that all necessary checks are in place prior to a new member of staff starting work in the home.

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