Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

Unique reference number SC386430 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Paula Lahey Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 27/10/2010 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 provides accommodation for up to two young people of either sex, aged between 10 and 17 years, who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is a detached property set in a rural location. On the ground floor there is a lounge, kitchen, laundry facilities and a shower room with toilet. On the first floor there are two individual bedrooms, an office with sleeping-in facilities, a second staff sleeping- in room and the young people's bathroom.

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Brief description of the service

There is a garden to the front and rear of the house. Young people at the home have access to private car transport, and the home is within easy reach of several towns, where there are facilities for sports and other activities.

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Brief description of the service

The company provides education through contracted services from another private provider, who operates a small specialist school approximately 20 miles away.

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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, interim inspection which looked at the staying safe outcome group and at the four recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good standard of care to young people. This is underpinned by a consistent and well trained staff team, who are committed to supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes. One young person spoken with said that they liked the home but would prefer it was placed closer to their home area.

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Summary

Good progress has been made since the key inspection in October 2010, and all of the recommendations raised have been fully addressed. Two new recommendations have been made in respect of recording sanctions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Four recommendations were made previously; they have all been fully addressed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The Registered Manager has supported young people to make a successful transition into adulthood by ensuring that they have comprehensive leaving care plans and pathway plans.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Young people’s files now contain all of the information held in Schedule 3 of the Children’s Homes Regulations, including a signed agreement to place the child at the home. The Registered Manager has ensured that any restrictions on a young person's contact with others is agreed by the person with parental responsibility and recorded on file.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Medication records are detailed and accurate to the medication held in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The safety of young people is promoted by good practice and procedures that are known to and followed by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team respect young people’s privacy by knocking on doors and calling out before entering, and all young people are encouraged to respect each others privacy. Room searches are conducted rarely and confidential files and data are kept securely. Where placement plans allow, young people are supported to maintain contact with friends and family through the provision of their own mobile telephone. Credit is available from a suitable weekly allowance which is in addition to pocket and reward money.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints are appropriately handled and recorded. Young people are provided with an easy to understand complaints guide, individual forms and availability of raising complaints with senior managers and external organisations. The home has not received any complaints from young people or others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The team receive regular safeguarding training; this includes child protection and absence without authority. Staff are clear about reporting procedures and there is evidence that any concerns are treated seriously and in a timely manner. The home has not made any child protection referrals. Young people who are absent without authority are supported by staff who quickly respond to protect their safety. This includes carrying out searches of the local area and immediately reporting concerns to the local police team. Young people are able to discuss reasons for being absent with a person independent of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have detailed individual risk assessments and behaviour management plans in place; these are reviewed regularly to ensure they address current needs and are shared with those who have parental authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The team are committed to developing young people’s rights and responsibilities and there is an emphasis on promoting positive behaviour. Boundaries are fair, age appropriate and produced based on young people's individual needs. Staff are consistent in their approach, young people are rewarded for achieving agreed targets and maintaining acceptable behaviour through the use of praise and monetary incentives. Sanctions are appropriately documented, however, the bound book does not have numbered pages, and young people’s responses to sanctions are not formally recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff receive appropriate physical intervention training and ensure that techniques used are risk assessed, documented and consistent with current good practice guidance. Restraint of young people is rare. Records are comprehensive and allow for analysis when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Positive steps are taken to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from risk of fire and other hazards. Health and safety requirements are in place. The home has robust fire safety systems, fire drills occur regularly and young people and staff are clear about their responsibilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have not been recruited since the last inspection when robust procedures were checked to ensure only suitable persons are employed in the home. Visitors to the home are required to provide identification before entry and there is a book in place to record any visitors to the home.

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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 the pages of the central sanction log are numbered (NMS 22.10)  ensure that a written record of young people's views on sanctions are recorded in the home. (NMS 22.14)

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