Children's Home run by Amicus Residential Care Ltd in Reading

Unique reference number SC059221 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Maureen Hamer Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/08/2010 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

The home is a four bedroom detached property situated in a quiet residential location. Public transport is accessible. The home is well situated for all amenities as well as local schools.

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Brief description of the service

The home's Statement of Purpose notes that, 'The home provides care and accommodation for three young people aged 12 years to 16 years for either short or long-term placements. The aim is to provide a safe, secure environment where young people can feel safe and secure whilst respecting each other and those working with them.'

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Brief description of the service

The home has a comprehensive Statement of Purpose whilst a well presented young person's guide is given to each young person on admission to the home.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of inspection there were two young people living in the home one of whom was available to talk to the inspector during the visit.

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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 inspection at which one recommendation from the previous key inspection was reviewed and the key national minimum standards for staying safe were assessed. One action and three recommendations have been made as a consequence of this inspection.

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Summary

One young person was at home on the day of the inspection and spoke to the inspector. Young people in the home benefit from a stable staff group. The setting focuses on working with young people to make them feel safe and taking responsibility for their behaviour. The development of good relationships with staff helps towards young people settling into the home. Staff ensure that communication between the home and other partners is effective and promotes positive outcomes for young people.

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Summary

There has been some redecorating undertaken with further plans to refurbish the kitchen in the near future.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is one recommendation from the previous inspection that the setting has not addressed and will continue as a recommendation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is respected. Young people state that their bedrooms are full of personal items and that staff do not enter without permission. Telephone calls can be made by young people by using the landline telephone which is placed in the office and for private telephone calls young people have mobile telephones. Staff ensure that young people's confidential information is kept in a secure locked facility.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people state that they raise concerns with staff and they are promptly addressed. Staff encourage young people to discuss concerns as they occur and young people report that their concerns are readily resolved. The setting uses the Local Authorities Complaint's Procedure and the contact details are not up-to-date; however the children's guide does hold the correct Ofsted telephone details. There are no internal or external complaints documented since the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding policies and procedures are in place. Staff are aware of actions to take in the event of a young person making an allegation. Since the last inspection there is one recorded incident which is well documented and Ofsted had been notified. The local safeguarding contact details are not available. However there is good communication other relevant partners and staff act to promote young people's welfare. One email communication from a social worker thanked the staff for their 'wonderful support in the case management'. Young people state that there is no bullying and staff report a positive home environment in which bullying is not accepted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

One young person is reported missing without authority. Staff have followed the setting's procedures and have informed relevant partners to protect the young person from harm. The young person has contacted the home and staff are responding appropriately to secure the young person's safe return. There is a system in place to record all significant events. The manager monitors and evaluates all incidents on a monthly basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A positive environment is created in the home in which young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour. Young people state that being given responsibility was a good thing about the home. Restraints are rarely used, none reported since the last inspection, however to avoid injury locks have been out on the bedroom windows. Staff receive behaviour management training as well as regular support. Responsible behaviour is rewarded using a monetary system although young people do not receive any personal money on a regular basis. Staff carry out risk assessments to secure young people's safety inside and outside the home. Fire detection and containment equipment is tested and findings recorded. Fire drills take place on a quarterly basis, and staff and young people are aware of procedures. However a night time drill has not been undertaken. Locks have been put onto bedroom windows and the manager undertook a risk assessment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

however, the local fire services have not been consulted to ensure fire evacuation procedures are secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

One person is progressing through the recruitment process, the employment history is not as yet complete although the Criminal Records Bureau checks and references have been obtained and are satisfactory. The person will not start work with the young people until all checks have been completed and are found to comply with the setting's recruitment policy.

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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.

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Std. Action Due date

26 review the fire risk assessment particulalry in relation to bedroom windows and consult with the fire and rescue service to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place to provide, in the case of fire, for a means of escape. Regulation 32 (1) 06/05/2011

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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

 liaise with the local safeguarding coordinator or other officer responsible for child protection matters to seek advice on local contact details in the event of an allegation or suspicions of abuse (NMS 17.5)  ensure that reports undertaken by the home relating to young people's reviews are placed on their files (NMS 3.4)  consider the provision of pocket money as well as the provision of financial incentives to encourage positive behaviour. (NMS 22.6)

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