Children's Home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Sandwell

Unique reference number SC404994 Inspection date 17/06/2011 Inspector Jacqui Gosling Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/12/2010 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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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

The home is one of a number of homes operated by the same organisation. The home has been set up as part of a tendering contract with a local council to provide care for no more than three children aged 12 years to 16 years with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The accommodation is a detached four-bedroom house and is situated in a residential area, with access to local facilities and amenities and is near to local bus routes.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

This home is good and cares for young people well. Young people are provided with care that offers them the opportunity of having positive experiences, opportunities and outcomes. The quality of the relationships between staff and young people is good and young people confirmed that their views were taken into account in all areas of life in the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe. Their safety is a priority of the home and the staff are proactive in communicating this to young people. Young people have been supported to continue their education and undertake further education opportunities.

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Overall effectiveness

The key strengths of this service are the staff. They are enthusiastic, well trained and understand the complex needs of young people well. Other professionals said. ‘staff genuinely care about the young people’. The manager understands the strengths of the home and areas for further development.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are good. Young people benefit from the opportunity to attend educational provisions, which are tailored to their individual needs. Contact with parents or significant others is encouraged. They have every opportunity to develop their independent skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people

There is a good approach to promoting the physical, emotional, and psychological health of young people and they are cared for in a warm, caring, nurturing environment with firm and consistent boundaries. Young people are in good health because staff ensure that all health needs are properly assessed and visits with the doctor, dentist and optician are well planned and take place as required. Young people eat well and enjoy their food. They are actively encouraged to get involved with cooking and young people often cook their own snacks and meals.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff provide regular one-to-one meetings, this helps young people to develop a positive image and feel safe and secure. Young people’s views are central to how the home is operating and developing. Where English is not their first language, interpreters are used to gain the views of young people at one-to-one meetings, statutory reviews and talk to inspectors visiting the home. This ensures young people's views are heard and is excellent practice.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people also benefit from appropriate contact with their family, friends and other people who are important to them. They are also encouraged to invite parents and friends to the home and spend free time in the community. The staff are effective in supporting the practical arrangements, such as setting up visits and support with travelling arrangements.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home provides young people with opportunities to make good progress in their education. Education plans include realistic targets which young people understand and can meet. The staff positively reinforce the importance of education.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to develop their independence skills, with support and guidance by staff. Young people are able to shop for food, cook meals and budget for items they need. Cultural support is also provided and gives young people the opportunities to continue their faith if this is their choice.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Staff provide a good level of care to the young people ensuring that they positively gain from their placements.

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Quality of care

Young people have positive relationships with the staff at this home. There is a friendly and good natured atmosphere, which young people find helpful and supportive. For example, birthdays and religious festivals are celebrated by the staff team to make the day a special event for young people. The use of measures of control are fair and realistic. Young people understand the boundaries in place to ensure they are safe and well. Young people are asked to sign all records relating to the use of measures of control.

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Quality of care

Young people said they understand the complaints procedures, although they rarely need to use it. There is information about complaints written in a style suitable for young people to access, within the guide to the home. Young people confirm they were given this and had it explained to them when they first arrived.

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Quality of care

Placement plans are well written and include the needs of young people. Young people say they contribute to such plans and are aware of their contents. Information on health, education and cultural needs are reflected within plans which are regularly reviewed in suitable timescales. An advocate commented 'This is an excellent placement, the young people's needs are addressed well'.

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Quality of care

Young people's views are actively sought in all aspects of their care, for example, activities, meal choices as well as decoration and furnishings. Bedrooms are in a good state of repair with young people feeling pleased with their own rooms. A young person said 'I get to do lots of activities living here'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. Young people are safe, valued and respected at this home. Staff are aware of safeguarding procedures and how to report in the event of an incident occurring. Regular training provides staff with current knowledge and skills. Bullying is also acted upon promptly with staff aware of how this can impact on young people. Young people do not feel that bullying is a concern at this time. Staff respect young people's personal space. A young person commented ' I feel safe here, staff treat me with respect'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home is secure and maintenance of the building is regularly checked. Fire safety is effective and well planned. Regular drills are practised with young people and staff are all aware of the safe evacuation procedures. The fire risk assessment is updated as required. Electrical equipment is regularly serviced.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are clear about how they would respond to a young person missing from the home and records reflect that practice follows the home's procedures. Staff recognise the level of vulnerability young people in the home present and act accordingly. The registered manager and staff are aware of recent national guidance on missing from care protocols. This provides a comprehensive overview of the issues relating to children missing from care.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The use of restraint is low within this home, although staff do receive annual refresher training on the safe use of physical intervention techniques. Staff have positive and supportive relationships with the young people. A young person said 'the staff are good, they understand me'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There is a safe recruitment process. All staff have suitable checks, such as references, completed before they start working at the home. Therefore, adults who work at this home have been appropriately vetted to work safely with young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . The leadership and management of this home is effective in providing young people with a positive experience.

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Leadership and management

There is a comprehensive and well organised training programme for staff. Staff feel that senior members of the team provide a high level of support and guidance when required. For example, professional development is regularly reviewed during supervision and appraisal meetings. A member of staff said ' I feel supported here, I'm given lots of advice and supervision'. Staffing levels meet the needs of the young people. Young people felt that staff were available when they wanted to talk to them or required their help.

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Leadership and management

Individuality is respected in all aspects of care and support at this home. The staff have a very good understanding of valuing difference and are able to put this awareness into practice. This has enhanced the experiences and opportunities for young people. Staff ensure the young people have the opportunity to follow their religious beliefs. The staff team is culturally diverse and fully represents the young people at the home and the multicultural area where the home is located.

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Leadership and management

The monitoring of the home is conducted on a regular basis. A person independent of the home visits monthly to check on the home's records. The manager also undertakes regular monitoring of the home to fully evaluate the home's development or otherwise against the Statement of Purpose. She signs records, such as the use of sanctions, to ensure compliance with standards and regulations.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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