Children's Home run by Hampshire County Council in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC066277 Inspection date 02/08/2011 Inspector Anna Williams Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/03/2011 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

The setting is owned and operated jointly by a Local Authority Children's Services Department and a National Health Service Foundation Trust. This short breaks service provides care for up to nine children and young people aged from under one year to 17 years of age and who have learning disabilities that may include sensory and physical disabilities, complex health needs or challenging behaviour.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Children accessing the service benefit from outstanding levels of close individual support. Children receive outstanding help with their personal health care needs. They also receive outstanding support and encouragement from staff both to participate positively in leisure activities in the community and to celebrate their achievements. Children and their parents and their carers enjoy very positive supportive relationships with staff at the home. Young people are looked after by a very experienced and stable staff team and live in a very homely and comfortable environment whilst at the home. A particular strength of the home is the child friendly environment it provides with an abundance of play facilities and resources. Staff respond professionally and appropriately to unexpected behaviours and ensure that children's needs are met and their dignity is maintained. Children are very happy in their environment and by the use of alternative methods of communication, staff

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Overall effectiveness

offer children choices in many aspects of their daily life.

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Overall effectiveness

Areas of shortfall in the service concern aspects of the missing from care and the recruitment procedures; also some aspects of the physical intervention records, the Statement of Purpose, the Regulation 34 checks, and some of the household risk assessments.

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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

(2001) revise the Statement of Purpose to include a description of any electronic or mechanical means of surveillance of children, and procedures for emergency admissions, if the home provides for emergency admissions (Regulation 4 (1)) 01/10/2011 17B (2001) revise the volume kept for the purpose of recording any measure of control, restraint or discipline to include all the information listed in Regulation 17B (3) (a - g) and Regulation 17B (4) (a - b) 01/10/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that full and satisfactory information has been obtained in relation to the matters specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2 (Regulation 26 (6) (b)) 01/10/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain a robust system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6, which focuses on improving the quality of care provided in the children's home. (Regulation 34 (1) (a - b)) 01/10/2011

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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 the home's procedures on children missing from care are compatible with and have regard to the Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocols and procedures (NMS 5.6)  risk assess in writing the location of the staff fridge in the arts and crafts room to identify any potential sources of harm to children (NMS 10.8)  ensure telephone enquiries are made as well as obtaining written references (NMS 16.1)  ensure that the registered person can demonstrate, including from written and electronic records, that it consistently follows good recruitment practice, and all applicable current statutory requirements and guidance, in staff recruitment (NMS 16.2)  revise the security risk assessment to demonstrate that the use of locks within the home allows children as much freedom as possible, consistent with the need to keep them safe. (Volume 5, Statutory Guidance, para 2.108)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to comprehensively assess children’s individual needs prior to accessing the service. Together they draw up clear and detailed care plans, protocols and agree a package of care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children have a tailor-made transition which includes visiting the service to meet staff and joining in with activities before building up to an overnight stay; this helps to develop children’s confidence and trust in the staff. This thorough transition means that children are prepared emotionally and practically to embark on their planned short break care package. Children benefit from robust planning of short break stays to ensure a balance of need and appropriate peer group; which leads to positive experiences for the children.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children receive outstanding support to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Children are able to access the services which they need through close multi - agency relationships which the staff team has with local health services and health advisors. Children’s health care needs are excellently detailed in care plans which provide staff with clear guidance to follow to ensure individual health needs are met. The service closely monitors children’s health during their stays and responds promptly to any emerging health concerns.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children’s individual preferences and dietary requirements are catered for in addition to the daily menu which offers balanced options at meal times. Children are actively involved in the creation of menus. Mealtimes are relaxed and social occasions where children are offered support in a discrete and sensitive manner whilst ensuring that independence, choice and experimentation of new food is promoted.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children’s educational needs are fully supported. As this is a short breaks service, the primary responsibility for children’s educational planning remains with the parents, however, the home promotes excellent communication between themselves and educational settings. This is further supported by the registered manager meeting regularly with the local school and attending educational reviews as appropriate. This pro-active approach to educational achievement ensures children are provided with support and guidance to reach their individual goals. Comments from parents include: ‘The staff team have worked really well with my child’s school. They share information and make sure that everything is consistent for my child, which is really important to keep their anxiety down’.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children have access to a wide variety of activities within the home, including a sensory room, extensive garden areas and an arts and crafts room. Children use the garden areas to run and play or use the trampoline and other outside play equipment. Children can access the community through the use of a fully accessible minibus. Children take part in off site activities such as visiting the local parks, or going on trips further afield such as to Chessington. Children are encouraged to try new activities and games and to make new friends when visiting. Children can reflect on their trips and activities by looking at photos which are throughout the home. Comments from children include: ‘I like playing on the Wii’, and ‘I like summer trips and the garden’.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children are supported and encouraged with personal hygiene and with the development of daily living skills such as dressing, eating and drinking. This means children are supported and encouraged to learn important life skills during their visits which benefits them now and in the future.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Children say the care and support at the home is good or very good. Children benefit from positive relationships with experienced and committed staff members. Staff interact with children using appropriate verbal skills and alternative methods of communication. This ensures children can make choices during their stays such as around food, snacks, drinks, activities and personal care needs. Staff observe non verbal communication and reassure children when they demonstrate distress or upset through a sensitive approach and a good understanding of their needs. Children are also encouraged to make their views known about the running of the home through planned feedback sessions. These sessions involve every child who accesses the service, and recent feedback has been sought on items for the gardens, and menu planning. This means that children feel that their views are actively sought and can see the result, such as the new garden equipment which is in place.

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Quality of care

A recent parent participation meeting allowed opportunity for parents to meet and discuss their views on the quality of care the home provides. The feedback from this meeting is being used to create an action plan for the home which will further improve outcomes for children visiting.

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Quality of care

Children confirm that they know how to complain. Children can access child friendly complaints forms which are on display within the home. Since the last inspection there has been one formal complaint, on which the home has taken action. This has been fully investigated and appropriate procedural changes made. This demonstrates the home’s capacity to learn lessons from complaints and feedback, in order to improve outcomes for children.

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Quality of care

Children’s individual care needs are identified and positively addressed in daily living and care planning. The home is effective at promoting all aspects of the children’s lives, irrespective of their disabilities, ethnicity, faith, gender, language, or religious belief. Comments from parents include: ‘I have signed the plan for the care and support my child gets when visiting. I am happy that I am involved and I can check it is all correct’.

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Quality of care

Children’s diverse health and medication needs are met. Arrangements for dealing with medication have been reviewed recently and are safe and appropriate. There is a clear audit trail of medication coming into and leaving the service. Some children have complex health needs, and these are understood and excellently managed by staff, some of whom are nurse trained. This supports parents and carers in the knowledge that their child is being cared for by competent, medically trained staff. Comments from parents include: ’it is good to know they have trained nurses on the health team, it gives me confidence’. Parents confirm there is good communication and liaison around children’s health and welfare.

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Quality of care

The presentation of the building is outstanding. It is decorated, furnished and equipped to a very high standard. Children have their own bedroom when staying, and some bedrooms have ensuite facilities. The home has appropriate adaptations to ensure the individual needs of children accessing the service are met, such as ceiling hoists and adapted baths. Communal lounge areas offer children space to play games, watch a DVD or play a computer game.

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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

Children say they feel safe in the home. Staff receive training on safeguarding and they recognise the particular vulnerabilities relating to the needs of children with disabilities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Children are cared for in an environment which is physically safe. However the staff fridge in the communal arts and crafts room does not have a risk assessment to consider its location. It is a potential source of harm to children with food allergies who may access the service. The building is kept secure through the use of key pads on external doors and the locking of some internal access doors. The security risk assessment in place does not consider the securing of the identified doors and internal spaces, whilst recognising the need to allow the children as much freedom as possible, consistent with the overall need to keep children safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Behaviour is well managed. Children say they know what the home’s ‘rules’ are. Groups of children receiving care are planned to reduce the potential that challenging behaviour may distress other children. Sanctions are not used within the home. There have been a small number of physical interventions recorded since the last inspection which are summarized within a bound log and also recorded on loose incident report forms. However, the bound volume does not capture all the required information as detailed in relevant regulation, and this makes it difficult for the registered manager to monitor the effectiveness of interventions and look for patterns and trends.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Bullying is not seen as an issue at this home. Staff work hard to create a happy and friendly atmosphere. Staff support children to form friendships and interact safely during their visits.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Written procedures are in place for responding to incidents if a child is missing from the home, although there have been no related incidents. However, these procedures do not reflect the Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (2009) protocols and procedures, which means staff could refer to out of date guidance if there were to be such an incident.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Children’s safety is compromised through inconsistent recruitment practices. Staff files do not contain full and satisfactory information in respect of the matters listed in Schedule 2 of the revised Children’s Homes Regulations 2001. Furthermore, there are no clear records that references are verified by telephone as well as being received in writing. All staff do have Criminal Records Bureau checks in place, however, the inconsistency within the recruitment records and checks compromises children’s safety. Visitors are checked upon arrival, sign into the visitor’s record and are supervised on site as appropriate.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Children are protected by sound health and safety routines. Regular fire alarm tests and drills take place and are recorded, and equipment within the home is checked and serviced regularly.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good .

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Leadership and management

Children are provided with written and pictorial information about the service which summarizes the home’s Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose outlines the aims and objectives of the service. However, it does not contain a description of the CCTV and monitors which are used within the home and grounds and what benefit these methods of surveillance provide for the well being and safety of children. The Statement of Purpose also contains contradictory information on whether or not the home accepts emergency admissions.

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Leadership and management

Staff work together well and there is a good team spirit which impacts positively on children. Staff report feeling supported by senior staff and benefit from daily handovers and the opportunity to attend regular staff meetings. Children’s meetings also take place on a monthly basis, and these allow the staff the chance to discuss specifically the needs of the children who are currently using the service and any new referrals. Staff receive regular, good quality supervision and appraisal. Staff access a wide variety of training courses, and comments from parents include: ‘I feel the staff are well trained to meet my child’s complex health needs.’

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Leadership and management

The home has a comprehensive training and development plan which outlines targets for the forthcoming year. This focuses on improved outcomes for children accessing the service.

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Leadership and management

There are records of regular visits under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations and there is evidence that children are observed and consulted during these visits. The registered manager undertakes Regulation 34 checks on a monthly basis, however the recording of these checks does not include any evaluation or description about how such checks improve the quality of care provided.

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Leadership and management

Children’s files are stored securely and contain documents which are relevant and contribute to an understanding of the child’s life. There has been one notifiable event since the last inspection, and this was reported appropriately to Ofsted and relevant agencies without delay. Positively, there were no recommendations or actions from the last inspection.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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