Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC363422 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 06/12/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, aged between 14 and 17 years and is owned by a private company.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The home is a detached bungalow with communal areas. It is situated in a rural area within reach of a nearby town and local amenities. Each young person has their own bedroom, and a number of communal areas are provided for recreational activities. Separate facilities are provided for staff, together with office space.

p.4

Brief description of the service

The ground floor comprises a lounge, a dining room, kitchen, utility room and quiet room. Two young people currently live in the home of whom were both present during the inspection

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection. In addition it assessed the Every Child Matters outcome areas of staying safe and achieving economic well- being. The provider has taken appropriate action to resolve the previous recommendations.

p.4

Summary

This is a good service with positive outcomes for young people. Young people's welfare and well-being are positively enhanced by the relationships that exist between staff and young people. Staff receive good training and are competent and committed to the young people in their care. They demonstrate a high awareness of safeguarding and how to keep young people safe. There is one requirement arising from this inspection. This does not impact on the overall quality of the service.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The registered person was asked to improve the medication records and update placement plans to show contact arrangements more clearly. The placement plans have been updated and this promotes young people's welfare when making arrangements for contact. The Registered Manager has obtained a new medication record book as requested and this ensures that medication administration arrangements are safe and meet the requirements. In addition the Registered Manager was asked to display the correct contact number for Ofsted. This is clearly posted above the telephone and provides the correct information for young people wishing to make a complaint. The Registered Manager has taken good steps to improve the quality of the home.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are treated with respect and dignity because staff at the home are particularly careful about confidentiality and privacy. Sensitive matters are discussed with discretion and case files are stored securely. Young people are all given keys to their rooms and these are freely replaced when lost. Staff respect young people's personal space and always knock and request permission before entering bedrooms. The house telephone is situated in the entrance hall where young people can close a door in order to make a private call. Young people have their own mobile phones and the company provides credit for these. This helps staff monitor young people's whereabouts and keeps young people safe while away from the home. Young people do at times go missing from the home or fail to return at agreed times. The staff follow a clear protocol of notifying relevant parties and recording any action they take. On return and at a young person's convenience staff follow up with a

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

discussion about the reason for the absence. Young people sometimes add comments and record these on the written record. This demonstrates that staff actively seek young people's views and take time to talk to them about their personal safety.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young person's complaint form and additional safety information leaflets are given a high profile at the home. These are readily available for young people who have in the past made their concerns known. The complaint record shows that these are fully investigated and that young people are kept informed and given a clear outcome of any complaint. This shows how staff actively help young people make a complaint about the home or any aspect they are unhappy with.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff facilitate regular house meetings for young people. Young people’s participation is actively encouraged and their views and opinions are highly valued. This helps maintain open communication and promote a calm environment. Staff also use these meetings to explain about some of the visitors to the home and the purpose of these visits. Subsequently, young people are confident and welcoming to visitors to the home.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are accepting of one another; there are very few incidents of bullying and young people say that they feel safe at the home. Staff work hard to promote socially acceptable behaviour using individual incentives that are tailored well to help young people achieve healthy and productive routines. Negative and positive consequences are meaningful and closely related to any behavioural issues. There have been no restraints over the last year and staff are very cautious about physical intervention. Good reporting of negative sanctions show that young people have been consulted throughout behavioural incidents and have recorded their comments clearly in the written record. This shows that staff value young people's feelings.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are cared for in a home that provides good physical safety and security. For example, external doors are systematically locked and all visitors to the building are closely monitored and supervised. The environment is generally clean and well organised. This ensures the home is free from hazards and regular checks are carried out and documented to ensure that fire prevention equipment is working properly. Fire drills are carried out to ensure that the young people can practise safe evacuation and this helps young people know what to do in the event of a fire.

p.6

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare and safeguarding of young people is supported by clear written procedures that are effective in practice. New staff are carefully recruited and robust checks are completed prior to commencing employment. Clear inductions are provided to ensure that new staff are fully aware of the company procedures and policies along with mandatory child protection training. This ensures that young people are cared for by suitable staff who know what to in the event of an allegation or disclosure of abuse. This promotes the overall welfare and safety of young people at the home.

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

Some aspects of the home's environment were looked at during this inspection after observation of the quiet room and a young person's bedroom. The décor and quality of the furnishings throughout the home are inconsistent. The communal areas are bright and homely. Care has been given to keep them clean and maintained and this promotes a welcoming and cared for home. Young people have their own bedrooms and some have personalised these with their own belongings and choice of furnishings. Bedrooms are generally furnished to accommodate young people's taste and individual needs. However, one young person had a very small room with inadequate storage space. The furniture was of extremely poor quality and fixed to the floor and walls following a previous placement that had resulted in damage to fixture and fittings. This has resulted in a young person who has a bed that is too small and a poor quality mattress with a large split down one side. The secure

p.6

Achieving economic wellbeing

storage facilities were broken and the television was placed on an upturned laundry basket. The young person had requested that some of these furnishings were changed in particular the bed. The Registered Manager had started to address this before the inspection, although these requests had been made by the young person some time ago.

p.7

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.

p.7

Std. Action Due date

24 ensure that all parts of the children's home are suitably furnished and equipped and each child is provided with accommodation which is equipped with suitable bedding, furnishings and storage facilities. (Regulation 31 (2)(b)(8)(b)) 26/04/2011

p.7