New Park Project (The)

Unique reference number SC065046 Inspection date 15/07/2011 Inspector Sharron Escott Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/03/2011 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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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

This setting is a small children's home owned and operated by a private provider. The home caters for up to four children and young people aged between eight and 17 years of age.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be satisfactory .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make satisfactory progress in relation to their starting point. The staff team are experienced and have established a positive relationship with young people. They are dedicated in supporting young people’s achievement and provide a supportive environment with consistent boundaries.

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Overall effectiveness

The strengths of the service include the commitment of the management and staff team towards the young by promoting and facilitating outdoor activities that supports raising money for local charities. This has enabled the young people to develop their self esteem and build on their confidence. Young people are encouraged to take risks as part of their growing up; further support from staff and other professionals is necessary however to keep the young people safe when outside of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Further improvement has been identified in areas that include the reporting of significant events and the recording of measures of control and discipline. Additionally, the homes educational resources are limited and do not provide opportunities for additional learning for young people outside of the school day.

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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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure the volume of any measure of control, restraint or discipline include the effectiveness of any consequence and a description of any injury and any medical treatment administered. ( Regulation 17B (3)(b)(c)(e)(f)(g)(h)) 08/08/2011

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure all children and young people receive personalised care that promotes all aspects of their individual identity and cultural needs (NMS 2.1)  ensure young people have access to a range of educational resources to support their learning beyond the school day to engage in activities and promote learning (NMS 8.2)  ensure a written development plan is written for the home, for the future of the home, identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service (NMS 15.2)  ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of setting (NMS 18.1)  ensure a system is in place to notify within 24hours of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30.( NMS 24.1)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are satisfactory .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people live in a home that currently presents as tired and worn, although a maintenance programme has been agreed and has commenced. Young people confirmed that they are looking forward to the home being more homely and are looking forward to the new furniture arriving and the home being decorated.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The young people are supported and encouraged to develop their confidence and self image. Young people’s identity is acknowledged by staff but additional supporting information and material is not provided to support the young peoples individualised cultural needs and preferences.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Healthy life styles are promoted individually and include swimming, gym, boxing and cinema. Young people are encouraged to participate in activities and interests of their own choice. A recent charitable fun raising opportunity to climb the seven mountains in Wales has taken place and memorabilia of this event is proudly displayed.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are taught the value of money. They are encouraged to save pocket money and incentive money to buy themselves additional items beyond the clothing and activities allowances.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff recognise the importance for young people of keeping in touch with family and friends. Young people do not have access to the internet within the home but they have unlimited contact using the telephone and have detailed contact plans that identify frequency of contact and any restrictions.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home is committed to encouraging and promoting educational attendance, appropriate incentives and consequences are in place that encourage engagement. This has enabled young people’s educational attendance and achievement to improve.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is satisfactory . Young people benefit from the services of a committed manager and staff team who are experienced and dedicated in looking after the young people and supporting them achieve positive outcomes. The care staff have attended an induction programme supported by mandatory ongoing training courses that has enabled them to provide satisfactory care in a safe and homely environment.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy strong relationships with staff. This ensures that young people have effective support to enable them to develop socially and emotionally. Young people, parents and social workers have reported that they are happy with the care provided and the manager and care staff are in regular communication.

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Quality of care

Young people have opportunities to access a range of activities outside of the home. A strength of the home is demonstrated in the creative ways explored and determination of staff to encourage and promote the young people attend their education provisions.

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Quality of care

Currently the young people do not have access to their own computer within the home and in-house resources are limited. This means that opportunities for the young people to access educational learning beyond the school day is limited.

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Quality of care

The manager and staff team understand the strengths and areas for further development for the home, but have yet to demonstrate this within a development plan.

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Quality of care

Young people are registered with doctors, dentist and opticians. Additional health care services are commissioned if required and if part of the young person’s health care plan. Care plans are on file for the young people and these are reviewed regularly. These plans although factually detailed with information.

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Quality of care

Young people receive satisfactory health advice from staff. Additional information is available if requested by the young people rather than readily accessible within the home. Risk assessments are clear and concise and support strategies for the care team to manage any risks identified so that young people are safeguarded.

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Quality of care

The working arrangements within the home promote consistency of care for the young people and are clearly identified in the home’s staffing rota. Staff meetings are attended on a regular basis and include discussions and reflective practice. The staff members report that ‘their contribution is welcomed and they feel listened to by the manager and team members’.

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Quality of care

Young people’s meetings are offered weekly and the care team are currently developing a system they will promote better engagement as the minutes identify poor engagement. Young people are not using this forum effectively and as a result their positive contribution and views of the home’s service has not been fully established.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is satisfactory at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people report that they feel safe at the home. Staff are aware of the particular vulnerabilities and follow care plans and risk assessment to manage and minimise risks. The missing from home records evidence high levels of unauthorised absences but young people are safeguarded as much as possible because protocols with the local police are followed effectively and regularly by all staff.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The young person’s guide provides detailed information and contact numbers for the young person if they should wish to make a complaint or raise a concern. However this is written in English and not the first language of the young people in placement.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are encouraged to identify their own sanctions and rewards. This has proved to be an effective behaviour management strategy. Positive behaviour is encouraged and an incentive scheme offers rewards. Staff are trained on how to de- escalate conflicts and in the use of an accredited technique for physical intervention.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in environment is physically safe and appropriately secure, taking account of the needs and characteristics of the young people cared for. The home is currently undergoing a full maintenance programme that includes redecoration and replacement furniture. All young people have their own individual rooms which promotes their right to privacy and personal space.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff manage health and safety well, completing the required checks and drills. Fire exits are clearly labelled but are not currently supported by an emergency exit plan to provide the staff and young people information on what to do in the event of an emergency. Policies, procedures and mandatory training alerts staff to their roles and levels of responsibility. As a result, young people benefit from a safe environment that impacts positively on their welfare.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are satisfactory . Young people benefit from a stable and experienced staff team who are well- supported by the manager. Staff member’s comments include "the manager is hands on, she is accessible and available at the home, she covers shifts when we are short and we value her opinions and contribution". Team meetings and supervision help staff to focus on young people’s needs. However limited training opportunities for staff means that outcomes for young people remain only satisfactory.

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Leadership and management

All significant events relating to the protection of young people accommodated in the home are notified by the registered person of the home to the appropriate local authorities and appropriate action is taken following the incident. These notifications have not been forwarded to Ofsted however as required by regulation 30 which means that young people’s safety and well-being may be compromised.

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Leadership and management

The home fulfils its Statement of Purpose and is accessible to the young people, parents and social workers. The registered manager conducts regular audits in order to improve the quality of care enjoyed by young people. Independent Regulation 33 visits provide young people with an additional element of safeguarding. The home does not currently have a development plan in place, therefore, strengths and weaknesses of the service and future targets are not currently identified.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is satisfactory .

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