Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC368982 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 13/12/2010 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

The home is a small residential children's home, forming part of a private company's group. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people. At the time of the inspection one young person was living at the home. The service provides a therapeutic residential service for young people aged from 10 years to under 18 years on admission, who display a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, with associated mild to moderate learning difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached house. Accommodation is spread over two floors. On the ground floor, there is an open plan reception room, kitchen and dining room, with downstairs cloakroom, a bathroom and three bedrooms. There are two further bedrooms on the first floor. One of the downstairs bedrooms is used by the care team as a sleep-in room and office.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection considers the key standards and outcomes for young people in staying safe. The other outcome areas were judged at the key inspection in December 2010. All areas were then judged as good, with enjoying and achieving being deemed outstanding. Two young people are currently living in the home and one took part in the inspection.

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Summary

Young people are clearly benefitting from a service that has a secure focus on safeguarding and protecting them. Operational polices are used effectively to promote the safety and welfare of everyone. Young people are frequently and consistently engaged by staff in how to keep themselves and others safe. They live in a home where staff are trained and well informed about effective safeguarding procedures.

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Summary

There are no actions or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection one action was imposed relating to the records of physical interventions and sanctions. Three recommendations were raised regarding the administration of medication, the complaints policy and safeguarding training for new staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Staff are aware of the need to ensure all required information is recorded within the record of restraints and sanctions. In particular the duration of any restraint and the behaviour leading to a sanction is now appropriately recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The medication recording procedures have been revised to ensure staff follow the correct procedures for recording the administration of any medication given to young people. In particular the recording of controlled medication, although no young person is prescribed any controlled medication at this time. Young people have access to Ofsted's contact details should they wish to speak to them in relation to any concerns they have about the home. All new staff have access to appropriate safeguarding training before they commence work with the young people. In addressing these issues the home has improved upon the health, safety and well- being of the young people living here.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has effective policies, procedures and care practices, which ensure that young people are cared for safely. For example, robust individual risk assessments and behaviour management support plans ensure that staff have effective strategies in place to protect young people. Young people are protected from abuse because staff are properly trained and have a good understanding of the home's procedures for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns. Young people are kept safe as staff are acutely aware of their individual needs and behaviours and are vigilant in their observations of their behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's information is held securely in the office. Staff are respectful of young people's privacy and dignity and knock before entering their bedrooms. All young people have a key to their room to keep their possessions safe and to maintain their privacy. They are able to make private telephone calls using their own mobile telephone or by requesting the house telephone from staff. Young people state they know who to talk to should they have any concerns and say they are happy here. There is a clear complaints procedure which is made know to young people. In addition they have access to independent advocacy services who they can talk to. No complaints have been made since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust procedures are in place for managing unauthorised absences to keep young people safe. Staff are very knowledgeable about the young people in their care and the risk they place upon themselves and others should they go missing. Additional resources are available to minimise the risk of young people going missing from the home, such as the installation of close circuit television. Improved door sensors alert staff of an evening should a young person leave their room. These installations have improved upon the safety of the young people. Bullying is not an issue for young people. Effective procedures are in place to counteract any incidents. This is supported by the recent introduction of the bullying report to enable staff to chart any incidents and will enable staff to update the risk assessments and crisis intervention strategies. There is a strong emphasis on recognising and rewarding positive behaviour. Rewards charts are working effectively

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to support the young people, with the goals being modified to meet their individual needs. Staff are trained to manage challenging behaviour, including the use of physical intervention. There have been no incidents of physical intervention since the last inspection. This indicates that staff are successful in the positive way that they are working with young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The management of health and safety processes are very good. This helps to protect staff, visitors and young people from the risk of harm or injury in the home. Equipment and installations are serviced regularly and there are regular fire safety tests. Young people take part in fire drills so that they understand what to do in the event of fire or another emergency. Risk assessments on the environment and on individual young people are robust and are regularly reviewed to meet the ever changing needs of the young people. Their safety is enhanced by the commitment of the deputy manager to health and safety issues. As a result new procedures have been implemented. For example, testing water temperatures each week to reduce the risk of scalds and the need for high visibility jackets in company vehicles should a break down occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are effective procedures in place to ensure staff are thoroughly checked before they commence working at the home. All visitors to the home are vetted to ensure the safety of the young people.

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