Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

Unique reference number SC034184 Inspection date 04/08/2011 Inspector Thomas Webber Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 21/02/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

This home is one of a number of children's homes operated by a local authority. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex. The purpose of the home is to provide young people with life and social skills to enable independent living.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The home provides a good level of care which results in outstanding outcomes achieved for young people. Young people appreciate the care and support they receive from a very committed and dedicated staff team and enjoy living at the home. Young people continue to make significant progress and thrive from living in a warm, caring and supportive environment. Robust safeguarding practices promote the safety and welfare of young people who feel safe and comfortable living at the home. There is excellent emphasis on supporting young people to develop both emotionally and educationally, as well as preparing them for independent living.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The home is not being effectively managed in some areas. To further improve, the home must establish robust systems to ensure that all staff receive regular and effective supervision and annual appraisals. In addition comprehensive individual behaviour plans should be established for young people. The external monitoring visits made to the home should routinely reflect discussions with staff.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all staff receive appropriate supervision and appraisal and that the quality of performance of staff is comprehensively reflected in their supervision and appraisals records. (Regulation 27 (4)(a)) 02/09/2011

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that the behaviour policy is effectively implemented through the establishment of comprehensive individual behaviour plans for young people which enable staff to respond to them in a consistent and appropriate manner (NMS 3.3)  ensure that effective leadership is established within the home. (NMS 14.5)

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Significant progress has been achieved by young people within the home. They are assisted to develop a positive self view and are gaining in confidence as well as displaying emotional maturity. The religious and cultural needs of young people are actively promoted and every assistance is provided by staff to ensure that no young person is disadvantaged because of this. Appropriate resources are obtained and readily available to assist in this area. Young people live in an environment where their health and emotional care needs are fully met.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are fully supported to attend varying local educational facilities depending on the stage they have reached. A flexible financial incentive/reward system is established for young people who maintain good educational/training expectations. The education and achievements of young people are actively promoted to assist in their preparation for adulthood.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are fully supported to develop independent living skills as part of their transition to adulthood. They are provided with life and social skills training which is linked to the stages reached by them within the home's independence programme. Young people are offered a strategic aftercare package which they appreciate. One of the strengths of the home is the level of outreach advice and support provided to young people once they have left the home.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

The home's objective is to provide young people with various stages of support to develop independence. Staff assist young people with their budgeting skills, the purchase of food and the preparation and cooking of their own meals. Young people are also provided with suitable facilities for the safe storage of their own food as part of this process. This provides young people with clear opportunities to develop their independent living skills within a supportive environment.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported to maintain the level of agreed contact between themselves and family members according to their individual circumstances. Appropriate arrangements are in place for young people to make and receive telephone calls, as well as to meet all visitors, in private. Young people's families and their respective social workers are kept regularly informed of the progress made by young people and any matters relating to their well-being. Young people have their own networks within the community and use their leisure time to pursue their own interests.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people benefit from living in an environment where warm, caring and supportive relationships exist between themselves and staff. Young people are very appreciative of the care and support provided to them and their experience of living at the home. The dedicated staff team undertake their duties in a warm, supportive and professional manner. Young people are extremely relaxed and at ease in their company and within their environment.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are supported and encouraged to pursue any activity they wish. However, they have established their own networks within the community and tend to use their leisure time visiting friends and members of their families.

p.6

Quality of care

The home operates a culture of consultation, with young people being encouraged to contribute to, and influence the way the home is run. Young people's meetings are well established. This forum provides them with opportunities to raise and discuss any concerns as well as to make suggestions to improve the delivery of care. Young people are also able to make their views known on a daily basis and through their individual key worker sessions. Young people currently value the use of their key worker sessions rather than the use of young people's meetings.

p.6

Quality of care

Clear policies and procedures are established for dealing with complaints. This process is clearly understood by young people, who are supported to raise any issues of concern openly. Young people confirmed that they know how to complain and there are always staff available to speak to. All complaints are responded to and addressed without delay to ensure that positive outcomes are achieved for all involved.

p.6

Quality of care

Suitable placement care plans are established for young people. These, together with other associated documents, outline the needs of young people and how staff will meet these on a daily basis. The aims of the placement are also clearly identified. Young people are fully supported and encouraged to attend and contribute to their reviews. Statutory reviews are held at the appropriate intervals and all relevant people are invited to attend. These processes ensure that the placements of young people are effectively monitored to ensure that the home can continue to meet their individual needs.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are fully supported to either make and attend their own healthcare appointments or attend with the support of staff. Specialist support is also readily available and provided to young people to meet their specific needs. Guidance and advice is readily available to young people on a range of healthcare issues and links to these services are available for easy access. Appropriate systems are well established for the safe storage, receipt, administration and disposal of unwanted medication for the protection of young people.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are fully supported to engage in education or seek employment/apprenticeships to meet their specific requirements. Opportunities are available for young people to undertake private study and computer facilities are available to assist them in this process. A clear system is established to support and monitor young people's educational progress so that their needs are actively promoted to enable them to reach their full potential.

p.7

Quality of care

The home is situated in a residential area of a city and is in keeping with its stated purpose and function. Young people continue to live in a homely, caring, supportive environment. The premises are maintained to a good standard being clean, tidy and comfortable. The home is also well furnished. Young people are provided with their own bedrooms which are personalised to their individual tastes. They also have the opportunity to decorate communal areas of the home as part of their independence training. Appropriate locks are fitted to the bedroom doors of all young people to aid privacy. Alarms are also fitted to their bedroom doors which are only used where child protection issues are identified. Lockable facilities are provided in a variety of areas to enable young people to protect their personal belongings. The home provides young people with sufficient communal space together with sufficient

p.7

Quality of care

laundry, bath, shower and toilet facilities to meet their individual and collective needs.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a safe and comfortable environment. Staff are trained and competent in their knowledge of safeguarding by ensuring that young people are fully protected from harm. Management ensure that all allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly and appropriately responded to in order to protect young people. Staff, as part of this process, maintain an open and supportive dialogue with young people, their respective social workers and the local safeguarding team.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Appropriate measures are taken to protect young people from bullying. An anti- bullying policy is well established which is conveyed to young people. Young people do not currently see bullying as a major area of concern, although staff take prompt and positive action to deal with any incidents. However, the records relating to these incidents do not always record the final outcome or show that young people are satisfied with the action taken. Although the records in themselves do not necessarily have an impact on young people, they should be recorded to provide a full account of the action taken.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people going missing is not an area of concern. However, clear reporting and recording systems are well established in any event where young people go missing. These include agreed protocols with the local police, which are based on young people's particular needs and risks. All relevant people are informed of any incident. Staff respond appropriately to all incidents to ensure the safe return of young people at the earliest opportunity for their protection.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in an environment where they are supported to develop positive behaviour. This is achieved through encouragement, reinforcement and positive behaviour incentives. Staff and young people have developed good relationships where positive interaction between them assists young people to behave appropriately. Sanctions and physical interventions are rarely used. Although risk assessments are well established, comprehensive individual behaviour plans are not developed for young people. As a result these do not provide staff with clear guidance and strategies for effectively supporting and managing the negative behaviours of young people. These deficiencies also do not also enable young people receive a consistent approach in respect of their negative behaviours.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Robust staff recruitment practices are established to ensure the protection of young people. These practices ensure that new staff are suitably vetted and do not commence employment in the home until all the relevant checks have been carried out.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Health and safety policy and practice guidelines are well established. These ensure that staff and young people are appropriately safeguarded. Young people and staff regularly practise fire evacuation procedures and the various health and fire safety records are accurate and up to date. These ensure that the living environment for young people is physically safe and secure.

p.8

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

Young people, staff and the placing authority are clear about the aims and objectives of the home. These are set out within the home's Statement of Purpose. This document also describes the level of service young people can expect to receive and how they will be cared for. This information is readily available to all interested parties. A young people's guide is also produced; a copy of which is provided to young people. This provides them with clear information about the home.

p.8

Leadership and management

Effective quality assurance systems are established, which monitor and ensure that a good quality of service is delivered to young people. Daily handover and regular staff meetings are held which ensure that staff are kept up to date in all matters relating to the home and young people. The organisation regularly monitors the care and welfare provided to young people. These reports now include discussions with young people; however, they do not routinely reflect a summary of any discussions with staff. Although this does not have any impact on young people, it should be recorded to provide a full account of the conduct of the home. Young people benefit from living at a home where good staffing levels are maintained to meet their individual and collective needs. They are cared for by a dedicated, experienced and stable staff team. Staff undertake a multi-purpose role in carrying out most aspects of care to young people. This ensures that they receive

p.8

Leadership and management

Young people are looked after by a staff team who are trained and competent to meet their individual and collective needs. All staff are trained to the required qualification. The authority fully supports staff so they receive relevant training to develop their knowledge, expertise and competence. This is reflected in the care delivered where positive outcomes are achieved for young people.

p.9

Leadership and management

Young people's records are stored securely. Young people's placement plans also reflect their individual histories and needs. This information enables staff to effectively care for young people. Any significant events relating to the protection of young people are routinely notified to all relevant parties. Staff ensure that young people's respective social workers are kept well informed and are regularly updated about their progress and well-being.

p.9

Leadership and management

Three of the four recommendations from the last inspection have been complied with. Comprehensive and effective individual behaviour plans for young people still need to be established.

p.9

Leadership and management

Young people live in a home which is not effectively managed and where staff do not receive clear and effective leadership. Individual and formal supervision and annual appraisals are not provided to all staff. This means that their ongoing performance and personal development is not being routinely monitored. Various aspects of the home’s administration are also deficient. The authority has recognised this deficiency and as a result interim measures have been put in place whilst a new Registered Manager is being recruited.

p.9

Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

p.9