Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC015264 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector Helen Walker Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/01/2011 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 home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine boys aged from 10 to 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home which specialises in offering long-term placements to boys. The home is set in its own grounds in a country village. Ground floor accommodation comprises of two lounges, a dining room, kitchen, utility room and games room. First floor accommodation comprises of bedroom and bathroom areas. The home has an independent special school on site. There is access to local health and leisure services and the home has its own transport. There is an enclosed garden to the side of the house and parking to the front and rear.

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Brief description of the service

Four young people currently live at the home. Some of the young people talked to the inspector.

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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 follow up on actions and recommendations made at the last inspection. Additionally, the key standards under the outcome area of staying safe are assessed. The inspection was aligned with education, in respect of the education facility on site. A separate inspection report for the education facility is available on the Ofsted website.

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Summary

The home continues to provide a good level of care to young people. Young people are well looked after in the home. Staff provide good safeguarding strategies to help protect young people from harm. This includes strategies to promote an anti-bullying environment. However, the provider failed to make the required notification to Ofsted regarding a significant incident at the home, which is contrary to regulations.

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Summary

A range of opportunities enable young people to raise and discuss any matter with which they are unhappy. The Registered Manager is proactive in developing and establishing positive behaviour management strategies which promote young people's acceptable behaviour. The house is well maintained and staff understand the need to keep a safe home environment. Good health and safety measures are in place for the benefit of young people, staff and visitors to the home.

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Summary

Two recommendations are carried forward from the last inspection. An action has been made to ensure significant incidents are reported to Ofsted as required by regulations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping and disposal of any medicines received into the home. Robust systems are now in place, which help to ensure medicines are kept safely and securely. Also, paperwork relating to medicines is maintained in good order.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Review decisions are made known to staff. Any action required by staff as a result of the review outcome is now followed up. Staff who are in charge of a duty shift in the home have relevant experience and have completed their probationary period. This means staff are properly supported in their work in the home for the benefit of the young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations are carried forward from the last inspection. The provider has yet to include details of the staffing policy in the home's Statement of Purpose. The recommendation for 80% of staff to obtain a relevant childcare qualification has yet to be achieved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's privacy is well regarded. They have an individual bedroom, which provides them with their own personal space. Young people have access to a telephone in the home and some have a mobile telephone. This allows them to make calls in private. Bedroom doors do not have locks. This is in line with the philosophy of a family home and young people agree with this arrangement. Personal records are stored securely and this supports confidentiality within the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take all reasonable steps to keep young people safe from harm and are familiar with safeguarding procedures. Young people feel bullying is not an issue in the home. The staff promote an anti-bullying environment and a culture where self- respect and respect for others is evident. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a young person missing from home which help to support young people's safe return.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff encourage young people to behave responsibly towards others. Young people consider staff are fair with them and there are opportunities to earn rewards such as trips out and treats. Staff receive support and training to assist them to deal properly with challenging behaviour and use safe intervention techniques as necessary. The complaints process is made known to the young people. They have the opportunity to raise any issues with which they are unhappy. This includes access to staff and those independent of the home, such as health professionals and family.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home environment is well maintained. Health and safety checks are carried out on equipment and installations in the home to confirm they are safe to use. Young people and staff participate in the fire evacuation process so that they are familiar with the action to take in the event of a fire in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provider has thorough recruitment and employment procedures in place to verify staff are suitable to work with young people.

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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

20 notify to Ofsted without delay any significant event in accordance with Schedule 5 (Regulation 30.1) 13/04/2011

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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

 ensure a minimum of 80% of care staff have completed Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent qualification (NMS 29.5)  ensure the staffing policy is set out in the Statement of Purpose. (NMS 30.2)

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