Children's Home run by Arnfield Care Limited in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC020133 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Nicola McEvinney Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 04/11/2010 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 registered to accommodate up to eight children and young people aged between 12 and 18 years of age. It is an adapted, Victorian property operated by a private company. It provides care for up to twelve months to children or young people with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Care packages include on-site classroom education and outdoor education; psychology and therapeutic services are also available.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, but is also close to leisure facilities and shops. There are good bus and train routes to local towns and cities. The building is set in its own grounds with gardens and established trees at the front and back and car parking. The office and lounge are on the ground floor as well as the dining room, kitchen and games room. Children and young people have individual bedrooms.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The purpose of this unannounced interim inspection was to check on the progress of the recommendations made at the last inspection and to ensure young people are safe.

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Summary

This home continues to provide excellent care to young people who are admitted to the home in a time of crisis. The staff team are skilled in managing the very challenging behaviours that some individuals present and are supported in this by having good behaviour management plans in place. Staff are proactive in ensuring young people are safe and young people respond positively to their approach.

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Summary

Although the staying safe outcome has maintained the judgement of outstanding the overall judgement has not changed at this inspection. There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home have addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The home has rewritten the equality and diversity policy which reflects the work that the home does; all staff have a copy of this policy. The majority of staff have either achieved National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or equivalent or are registered on this course. One permanent staff member and a casual staff member is to enrol on this qualification imminently. The organisation employs a training manager who has devised a clear induction programme prior to enrolling on the NVQ. The home has a development plan which has been developed in conjunction with the education staff employed at the home. Regulation 33 reports are sent promptly to Ofsted. The fire marshal has devised a number of scenarios to ensure staff and young people are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's files are kept securely to ensure confidentiality. There are clear procedures in place for the conducting of a room search where young people are suspected of having contraband.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people confirm that they know how to make a complaint and are confident that it will be dealt with to their satisfaction. One complaint is recorded which was managed effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Prior to placement there were serious concerns over the risk taking behaviours of young people placed. All staff have received safeguarding training and have good awareness of issues that compromise the welfare of young people. The home uses a work book with young people on keeping safe to help them to be aware of issues that compromise their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people confirm that they feel safe in the home and that there is no bullying. If they fall out with one another staff get them together to 'sort it out'. Young people have been involved in creating a wall display on bullying to ensure that they are aware of the many facets of bullying and how it makes individuals feel.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Some young people have a history of going missing and being heavily involved in risk taking behaviours which has led them to be placed out of authority. There are good links with the missing person's police co-ordinator and individual protocols are in place advising staff what action to take when a young person goes missing. Some young people are involved with a runaways project run by the local safeguarding board.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home have excellent positive handling plans in place clearly identifying triggers to potential behaviours with strategies in place to manage these behaviours. Staff are very skilled in de-escalating situations and work consistently to support young people who present some very challenging behaviours. The educational psychologist gives support to the staff team in drawing up these plans which are regularly reviewed to ensure they are effective in helping young people gain control of their behaviour. A number of restraints and sanctions are recorded which are appropriate. All staff have attended control and restraint training and young people are encouraged to make comment following a restraint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire records are in good order; the home has a fire marshal who is responsible for coordinating the fire checks and emergency evacuation exercises. Fire drills are held regularly including at night and all staff and young people partake in these to ensure that they know what action to take in the event of a fire. Risk assessments are in place for each young person, the premises and activities clearly identifying the risk with strategies in place to minimise the risk. Other health and safety checks are carried out, for example, the gas and electrical installation are checked annually.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The identity of visitors is checked and there is a thorough recruitment process to ensure only suitable people have access to the young people.

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