Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

Unique reference number SC036737 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Mary Timms Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 06/08/2010 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 local authority children's home providing residential and short break services to children in the local area. The accommodation is split into three separate units, two for short breaks and one residential unit. All of the children have physical disabilities and some have complex health care needs. All areas provide attractive and accessible communal rooms, play areas, bedrooms and bathroom facilities.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a large house, set in pleasant extensive grounds, in a rural area close to a nearby town where there are shopping and recreational facilities.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an unannounced full inspection planned to review the service provided against identified key national minimum standards. The progress the provider has made with a required action and one recommendation set on the previous visit is also reviewed.

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Summary

This is a well managed home where children receive a high standard of well-planned care delivered by a caring and competent staff team. There are robust and effective safeguarding systems in place which prioritise children's well-being. Children's health is prioritised within care arrangements. Children receive an excellent level of personal support and are encouraged to make personal choices, to develop new skills and to make a positive contribution. The service works in close partnership with parents and involved professionals.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager has taken action in response to a required action set on the last inspection relating to the duty to make required notifications. The necessary notifications have now been made relating to a specific incident and action has been taken to ensure that any future notifications are made promptly.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager has responded to a recommendation relating to fire safety arrangements. Regular fire evacuation drills are now facilitated, including drills involving night staff and night time procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are excellent arrangements in place for promoting the healthy lives of the children who use this service. Health care needs are assessed and are reflected clearly into well detailed health care plans, which are implemented in practice. Health care needs are met to a high standard by caring and knowledgeable staff. Plans are developed in consultation with involved health professionals and parents. Care arrangements are supported by nursing staff who are linked to the service. For example, nursing staff are involved in preparing health care plans and also facilitate staff training. As a result staff are confident in their practice and know how best to support and monitor children's diverse and complex health care needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Comments from parents confirm that they are confident about the quality of health care support their child receives. 'When my child wasn't well staff kept me well informed and they contacted a doctor'. 'staff always contact me about any health concern'. Also, 'they provide good support for individual physical and emotional health issues'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are safeguarded by a robust system for the storage and administration of medication. Staff consult with parents by phone prior to each short break during which any changing mediation needs are clarified. A designated and trained person takes responsibility for the handling and administration of medication on each shift. Each medication administered is recorded and endorsed as given in-line with requirements by a second member of staff. Medication is stored securely and practice is monitored by the management team. Learning points are identified quickly and action is taken to make improvements when necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met to a high standard. Individual dietary needs are identified and are incorporated within a balanced and varied menu, including family preferences relating to culture or religion. A pleasant dining environment is provided and children are supported by staff, and also with the provision of necessary equipment, to share a group mealtime.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by well-planned safeguarding arrangements. Placement plans and risk assessments set out clearly the known and potential hazards for individual children and guide the protection of each child. Risk assessments include the required levels of staff support and monitoring. As a result staff understand how to safeguard children effectively. Parents are confident in the safeguarding arrangements. Comments from parents include 'They have excellent risk assessments and are willing to change them if situations come up'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust recruitment procedures are operated when new staff are employed to work in the home. As a result children are cared for by staff who have undergone detailed background checks. Staff attend initial and refresher training which supports their ability to keep children safe. Training includes, fire safety, behaviour management, safeguarding disabled children, the potential for bullying, first aid and moving and handling.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe environment. The home is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and is in good order throughout. Health and safety monitoring checks are undertaken on a regular basis. Effective risk management strategies are developed which are implemented in practice, including fire evacuation drills for both staff and children. However, there is no system in place to cross- reference records to ensure that each member of staff has been included in a recent fire drill. Fire safety training includes the use of evacuation chairs. As a result staff are knowledgeable and confident about the evacuation of children should a real fire occur. Comments from parents include 'I would assess the whole safety regime in place at this home as exemplary'. Comments from placing social workers include 'They care safely for young people with very complex needs and are sensitive about circumstances'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Parents know how to complain and records are maintained if a complaint is received. Comments from parents confirm that they are confident that any concerns would be responded to. Comments include 'Oh yes I am very confident that if I had an issue that I could talk to staff and they would deal with it'. Staff monitor children closely and are confident that they would notice quickly any change in demeanour. As a result they are able to respond appropriately and promptly should a child display that they have a concern. Children's right to privacy is prioritised within the planning and delivery of personal care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour is well managed. Staff know the children well and understand their behaviours in the context of their disabilities. Children are supervised and monitored at all times. There is a good understanding that the behaviour of some children may distress others. This is well-managed. For example, the groupings of children coming in for a short break together is informed by an assessment of any conflict in need. Also, children are supported in separate areas within the home when necessary. Sanctions are rarely used and there has been no use of physical intervention to manage behaviour since the last inspection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision to support children to enjoy and achieve is outstanding. Children receive high quality support from staff who fully understand their individual care and support needs. Children are provided with the equipment and adaptations identified as necessary to meet their individual assessed needs. For example, play equipment is appropriate, both outside in the garden and within inside play areas. Bathroom facilities offer a range of adaptations to support the provision of personal care. Also, mobility and comfort is supported by the provision of required equipment. Support is enhanced by excellent communication with parents and strong links with involved professionals. Parents are positive about the support their children receive. Comments from parents include 'the service and staff are unbelievably good'. Also. 'They look after our child well and seem able to do this while keeping him happy. My

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The service works closely with parents to support children's agreed educational plans. Home/school diaries aid communication and are valued by parents and staff. Staff visit children's schools with a view to promoting consistency and understanding between the settings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The arrangements which support children to make a positive contribution are outstanding. Staff are knowledgeable and have a very good understanding of the individual children using the service. This means that they are able to respond quickly to children's needs and that they are able to support them to make their views known.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Assessed individual needs are identified in consultation with involved professionals and parents. Individual placement plans are produced, which are reviewed regularly and are updated as needs change. Staff identify that written plans are the key guidance to inform care arrangements and ensure that they are implemented in practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is excellent practice with regard to helping children to communicate and to make choices as part of their care and support. For example, Daily menus are displayed in an appropriate position within each residential area. Information for children includes the use of a photograph of each home cooked meal and is also displayed in a written format. Communication about menu plans is further supported by a recorded version produced each day by the cook, accessed by children pressing a button. Staff follow agreed communication plans and are knowledgeable about supporting communication needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are fully involved and consulted about their child's care. Comments from parents include 'Meetings are held with parents and link worker to cover any issues and update us on the progress of our child'. Also, 'Communication from staff is excellent'. Parents also confirm that they are made to feel welcome when visiting and are able to assist with the care of their child during visits.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are supported in a sensitive manner when they move on from the service. Children are taken for visits to their next placement and their time at this home is acknowledged by arrangements such as a leaving party.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The service provides children with excellent accommodation which has been adapted to a high standard to meet individual and group needs. The home is well-equipped with appropriate adaptations and play facilities. For example, there are a range of hoist options, beds and bathroom adaptations, all assessed to meet individual needs. The service has recently adapted a downstairs room to provide a 'Media Room' where children can benefit from a cinematic experience with a large screen covering one wall. Children also benefit from having access to extensive areas of garden. There are grassed play areas with a range of appropriate fixed play equipment. Also, areas laid with a rubber safety surface to support play in wet weather. Wheelchairs users are supported to access the more extensive garden by the provision of a raised wooden walk-way which meanders through trees before returning to the house.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Well-planned arrangements are in place to support children to reach identified targets and to learn new skills. Staff work on an individual basis with each young person to help them progress to meet agreed goals. These arrangements are appropriate and realistically reflect the level of ability for individual children. Comments from parents include 'my child is very independent since starting to go to this home'. Children's comments include 'They have helped me become more independent with washing, my hair, getting dressed and taking my plate away when finished'.

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Organisation

This is a well managed service where children are cared for by caring and competent staff. The Registered Manager is supported by a team of managers who are able to deputise when necessary. Children are closely supervised and supported by appropriate numbers of care staff. Experienced staff members work alongside more recently recruited staff, supporting them through an induction programme to develop their knowledge and abilities. The quality of care children receive is enhanced by the delivery of a structured programme of well-planned staff training. Including areas of training and assessment of competency which is facilitated by health professionals. As a result children are cared for by staff who understand how best to support their individual care needs.

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Organisation

The quality of care provided is monitored closely by an experienced management team. External managers also visit the home and undertake monitoring checks. Children's files are maintained in good order and hold the necessary information to inform effective care arrangement. Parents are positive about the quality of care afforded to children and have confidence in the staff team. 'I would recommend this service to anyone who needed a residential placement for their child. I have visited lots of times and was welcomed by everyone'. Also,' I like the service just the way it is run now, I wouldn't change anything about it' The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Care staff have an excellent understanding of the diverse needs of the children using this service, and provide a high standard of well-planned care to children with complex needs. The service and premises are well-equipped to meet the specific needs of each child.

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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 records evidence that each member of staff knows the emergency evacuation procedures, including those for use at night and has been involved in an appropriately recent fire evacuation drill (NMS 26.7 and 26.8)

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