Children's Home run by New Foundations Care Homes Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC406636 Inspection date 03/08/2011 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/02/2011 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 service is a children’s home and can accommodate up to six children from 10 to 17 years of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be satisfactory .

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Overall effectiveness

Satisfactory systems are in place to ensure young people receive personalised, appropriately planned care. Although there are some gaps in issues with regards to young people's religious and cultural needs and behaviour management strategies. Young people's health needs are generally managed well. They have regular opportunities to engage in physical activities to promote their health and well-being.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are able to make their views known and have a say in what happens in the home. They are involved in the decisions about the food they eat, what they do in their spare time and discussions about their future. Young people have positive relationship with staff and enjoy spending time with them. They say staff are 'ok' and they help them with their school work and to take part in meetings about them.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are cared for in a generally safe environment. The home is suitably decorated, but some of the furniture such as wardrobes and settees are damaged. The home ensures visitors are suitable vetted and monitored while in the home.

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Overall effectiveness

As a result of this inspection three statutory requirements and six recommendations are made. These relate to; the appointment of a Registered Manager, records held on students, fire safety, behaviour management, health care plans, and maintenance of the home, placement plans and the monitoring of the home.

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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) ensure Ofsted is informed of the name of the appointed manager and the date on which the appointment is to take effect (Regulation 7 (2) (a) (b)) 16/08/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the home maintains the records specified in Schedule 4 and ensure these are kept up to date, in particular students on 16/08/2011 placement (Regulation 29 (1) Schedule 4 (2))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) consult with the fire and rescue authority and take suitable precautions against the risk of fire in particular the wedging open of fire doors. (Regulation 32 (1) (a)) 16/08/2011

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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 the individuality of each young person is promoted rather than as a member of a group with regards to some behaviour management strategies (NMS 2.1)  ensure there are clear strategies in place for managing incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that all staff understand and apply at all times (NMS 3.3)  ensure young people's health is promoted in accordance with their placement plan in particular, health care plans contain all the required information in relation to specific conditions (NMS 6.5)  ensure the home provides a homely environment, is well maintained in particular window dressings and damaged furniture such as wardrobes and settees are addressed (NMS 10.3)  ensure young people's placement plans are monitored in particular, information regarding their religious persuasion and cultural needs (NMS 25.2)  ensure the monitoring systems for the home in provide sufficient detail with regards to the action taken in relation to identified shortfalls, such as some of the

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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 are developing a positive view of themselves and have an understanding of their background. They are able to maintain relationships with those people who are important to them, because contact arrangements are appropriately managed. They are able to meet regularly with friends in the community and their friends are made welcome at the home. Young people say the opportunities to make new friends are a positive of living at the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are developing an understanding of their own health care needs. They enjoy a range of activities which support their understanding of being healthy such as bike riding, swimming and golf. Young people enjoy cooking with staff, which raises their awareness of food preparation and hygiene routines. They enjoy a wide range of healthy meals, such as chicken fajita's, smoothies and homemade soups. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal care needs. Although this can be hindered on some occasions due to a lack of soap in the bathrooms.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported in their education and to progress in a similar way to other young people in society. Young people's steady attendance at school enables them to make satisfactory progress. Young people who have missed periods of education are supported by home tutors and staff and are engaging well.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are involved in a number of youth clubs and groups within the community which enables them to meet with other young people of a similar age and interests. Young people are encouraged to take more responsibility for themselves suitable to their age and understanding. Young people learn skills such as planning meals, using money and household tasks. This helps young people prepare for adult life.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is satisfactory .

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Quality of care

Consultation systems with young people are satisfactory. Young people are able to voice their opinions informally to staff and at the monthly young people's meetings. Young people are aware that some of their requests may not be possible, such as going sky diving. There have been no complaints made by young people for some considerable time. Young people know how to make a complaint, should they need to do so. The home works with neighbours to resolve any matters and encourages young people to think about their behaviour and consequences of this upon others.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff and they are encouraged to develop socially acceptable behaviour, by the use of praise and implementation of boundaries. Staff talk to young people about specific issues, such as racial abuse and use constructive ways to enhance young people's understanding of these issues. These include trips to slavery museums, cultural nights and looking at the history of the area in which they live.

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Quality of care

Young people are registered with the local service providers such as doctors and dentist and have access to more specialised medical input if required. Each young person has a health care plan which includes any specific needs. However, there is insufficient information relating to the health care needs of one young person, which may impact upon the care they receive. Staff are trained in first aid and handling of medication. All medication is securely stored. Young people say that staff look after them when they are feeling unwell.

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Quality of care

Young people are cared for in line with their placement plan. However information relating to a young person’s, religious needs and cultural background is not clearly identified within their placement plan. This means staff may not be able to fully meet the young person’s needs. Young people are encouraged where possible to contribute to their placement plan and care plans. Young people are able to attend their reviews and know that if they choose not to staff will speak on their behalf. As a result young people know that their views are taken into consideration, such as their wish to remain at the home.

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Quality of care

Young people are engaging with their education because of the support provided by staff. Staff ensure young people arrive at school on time and are fully prepared for their lessons. Young people who are not in school are fully supported by staff within the home. Staff plan educational activities and trips to engage with young people's interests, such as history. They provide quiet spaces for young people to work with their tutor. This means young people are able to reconnect with their studies.

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Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to follow their particular interests, such as practising tricks on their bicycles and developing their putting skills at golf centres. As a result young people are able to build confidence in their abilities and experience different social and cultural backgrounds.

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Quality of care

The home is located within reach of schools, leisure facilities, public transport links and shops that are important for young people's development. The size and layout of the meet the young people's needs and they enjoy a generally homely environment. The home is appropriately maintained, however, some wardrobes and settees are damaged and one room did not have any window dressings, as the young person had removed them. This impacts upon young people's privacy and detracts from the homely environment the home is trying to achieve.

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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 are safeguarded as staff have a satisfactory understanding of the home's safeguarding procedures. This means they are clear on the action to take to protect young people from harm. Young people say they feel safe at the home and know who they can talk to if they have any concerns. Young people say bullying is not an issue for them. Appropriate strategies are in place to support and enable young people to deal with any issues of bullying.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people occasionally go missing from care. Clear systems are in place for reporting these incidents to the appropriate agencies, which means young people are quickly located and return home safely. All young people are provided with a mobile telephone, which enables staff to keep in contact with them when they are away from home. Staff are aware of the triggers which may pre-empt a young person going missing, such as new residents moving into the home. Staff offer additional support to young people during this time, which minimises the risk of them going missing. Young people are spoken to regarding the potential dangers they expose themselves to when they go missing. This means young people are able to make informed choices about the decisions that they make about themselves and their safety. Young people are developing an understanding of positive behaviour. This is due to the positive role modelling displayed by staff who talk calmly and respectfully to

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Safeguarding children and young people

young people. Young people are aware of the house rules and think they are 'ok'. Staff are generally consistent in their approach to behaviour management, however, some of the strategies implemented, such as removing cushions to deter play fighting are not conducive to positive behaviour management. This is because there are no clear strategies in place, which outline the timescales for the removal of these items. This can result in them not being available for some time. Staff talk to young people about inappropriate behaviour and help them to consider better ways of dealing with their frustrations.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Sanctions are applied fairly. There is minimal use of restraint within the home and all records pertaining to these incidents are appropriately maintained. Incentive schemes are working well with young people who enjoy the opportunities to gain additional monies for activities. Support from other services, such as Youth Offending Teams enable young people to consider the consequences of their actions.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Health and safety procedures are appropriately utilised within the home. Staff regularly undertaken checks to ensure the premises are safe. However, the practice of wedging open some fire doors means young people are not fully protected. Young people are aware of the fire evacuation procedure, which means they are able to evacuate quickly in an emergency.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Recruitment and selection procedures ensure suitable staff are employed to work with young people. Students on placement at the home are appropriately vetted and supervised, however, records relating to this are not held at the home. Visitors to the home are appropriately supervised. Staff act quickly when maintenance personal leave the front door open or tools around the home and remind them of the dangers of this. As a result staff are able to reduce further the risks to young people.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

There is currently no Registered Manager at the home. The home is being managed by the Registered Manager of another home and as such the service has been through a period of uncertainty and change. Staff say that they feel more settled now the acting Registered Manager is in place and feel they are now coming together as a team. However, Ofsted has yet to receive an application for the new Registered Manager.

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Leadership and management

The home is satisfactorily monitored by a representative of the organisation. However, the last few visits indicate that young people have not been spoken to in order to gain their views about the service. The acting manager also conducts their own monitoring of the home and has identified a number of areas for improvement, such as young people's initial poor engagement with education. While this has improved with the introduction of tutors reports do not show how shortfalls are being addressed. Monitoring systems have not identified omissions in some young people's health care and placement plans.

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Leadership and management

At the last inspection, five legal requirements and three good practice recommendations were raised. The legal requirements related to staff training, all matters in Schedule 6 being monitored by the Registered Manager, records held on staff, staff supervision and procedural guidance to protect young people and minimise the risk of abuse. All have been appropriately actioned and have improved upon the management of the home. The staff acting manager was able to demonstrate that all staff records are now up-to date, and that all staff receive appropriate training which includes awareness in bullying and supervision. Missing from care procedures have been revised to good effect and have enhanced young people's safety and well-being.

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Leadership and management

The home has a Statement of Purpose which sets outs the aims and objectives of the home and how it will operate. This has recently been updated to include the changes in the staff team and has been made available to placing authorities.

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Leadership and management

Staff are appropriately supported by the acting manager and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff have regular opportunities to meet as a team to discuss the young people and operation of the service, although records of these contain little information. Young people are cared for by a staff team who have a range of skills and experience. The staff team reflects the cultural backgrounds of young people living in the home and provides both positive male and female role models. The number of staff on duty meets the needs of young people. This includes the support they need to attend activities, visits and appointments.

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Leadership and management

The home's written records are generally well maintained and are held securely in the office. However, the use of some language contained within the records is not appropriate and some records lack sufficient detail. This can give an inaccurate picture of the events that have taken place. Young people's records are appropriately organised and contain relevant information from placing authorities. This means there are satisfactory systems in place to promote the welfare of young people.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is satisfactory .

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