Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Unique reference number SC370703 Inspection date 29/07/2011 Inspector Liz Daniels Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/03/2011 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 home was registered in May 2008 and is a detached purpose-built service, which offers short breaks for children and young people aged between five and 18 years. The service is currently registered to accommodate 20 children and young people.

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Brief description of the service

The service is designed for young people with a learning disability and specifically for those on the autistic spectrum.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

This setting provides a supportive environment in which young people stay for short breaks. They make extremely good progress and enjoy positive relationships with staff who are experienced, suitably qualified and skilled at recognising young people's individual needs. Young people are kept safe when they stay and staff have a sound understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. They work closely with external agencies to promote and protect the welfare of young people. Young people benefit from a consistent approach which has developed through very good communication between parents, staff, teachers and social workers.

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Overall effectiveness

The manager has an awareness of the home's strengths and weaknesses; the manager and the staff team regularly review practice and reflect on improving outcomes for young people. The three statutory requirements made at the last inspection have been met. As a result, staff are trained in fire prevention and they receive regular supervision which provides an opportunity to discuss and reflect on practice. In addition, two of the three recommendations have been met, as all staff are trained in safeguarding and behaviour management techniques.

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Overall effectiveness

This setting is purpose built and divided into four self-contained flats. Staff usually electronically lock the main doors into each flat and use fobs to allow access. The aim is to protect those young people at risk of absconding or at risk of inappropriate behaviour in another area. However, there is a risk of limiting access for other young people accommodated which the manager has identified and taken action upon. The manager is discussing with parents and the local authority how transitions to an open environment can be made safely and in line with all young people’s needs.

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Overall effectiveness

In addition, the sanitation bins in bathrooms can smell offensive at times. Although the bins are removed twice weekly on a contractual basis odours are, at times, unpleasant for young people.

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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 that the unit provides a homely environment and that avoidable hazards such as offensive bins used for soiled nappies and sanitary pads are removed, as is consistent with a domestic setting (NMS 10.3)  ensure restrictions for one child do not impose similar restrictions on other children. (NMS 10.4)

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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

Young people participate in a wide range of opportunities which enable them to enjoy and achieve to their full potential. They feel settled and secure whereby they make substantial progress in relation to their starting points. They are supported by committed, patient and enthusiastic staff, who are knowledgeable about young people’s backgrounds and needs.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Parents and carers usually arrange for young people to access health appointments from home rather than during their short break at the setting; similarly, optical and dental appointments are rarely arranged during their stay. However, there is an excellent approach to promoting young people's good health by discussing health education with them, using pictures and other suitable communication methods. Equally, staff are sensitive when managing young people's intimate and personal care needs, enabling young people to be as independent in their care as they can be. Young people also enjoy joining in with outdoor games and activities involving exercise. Staff ensure there is plenty of time for young people to enjoy the play equipment in the enclosed garden area, as well as games on the adjacent school fields. It is also anticipated that the recent purchase of camping equipment will enable staff and young people to enjoy time together camping overnight.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Each young person who stays at the setting attends school. Some are pupils at the adjacent specialist school and are accommodated while they undertake a residential learning programme (RLP). Others stay for short breaks over a weekend or during school holidays, but ensuring they still attend school when they should is paramount. Learning while they attend the setting is regarded as fundamental and the progress they make, as well as the educational achievements they attain, are celebrated. Learning is inspiring and stimulating; staff often plan theme weeks and concepts which enable young people to explore countries and cultures. Equally choosing a colour and learning about all that relates to colour is a popular theme this summer. Young people show interest and respond positively to constant attention and praise. Statements of special educational needs are held and each young person benefits by staff liaising regularly with their school to ensure there is consistency in their care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people share their ideas and feelings with staff; they use the specialist communication methods that staff employ to choose what they wish to do or which foods they prefer. Similarly, staff seek the views of parents and social workers on the service provided. Families report extremely positively about the service supporting this is valuable and hugely beneficial for young people and their families.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Older young people engage in learning basic life skills. Most young people then progress to adult placements; staff are actively involved in the transition process, by working with families to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

There is a welcoming, cheerful atmosphere within the setting and young people respond positively to the significant and supportive relationships that they build with staff. Staff ensure each young person is enabled to reach their potential through the individualised care they receive. Staff are realistic about what is achievable and passionate in supporting young people to progress; this support enables young people to make exceptional progress.

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Quality of care

Staff hold high aspirations for all young people. Achievements are positively recognised, for example young people receive certificates for each step forward they achieve and their progress is celebrated at awards evenings. Young people benefit from structure and have clear goals to attain to promote individual progress. Young people enjoy seeing their achievements publicised on the 'Wow' board and benefit from the positive praise.

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Quality of care

Excellent staffing levels enable staff to be with young people on at least a one-to-one basis and arrange individual activities with them. Young people are appropriately consulted and their views and opinions sought. Similarly, parents and carers meet with staff regularly; a social gathering every three months provides a forum to exchange views but also an opportunity for staff to present a topic. This gives parents an insight into the processes and quality assurance the setting undertakes. In addition parents can provide feedback via questionnaires.

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Quality of care

Young people and their parents have unrestricted access to the complaints procedure in formats which young people understand. Equally, staff are sensitive to young people showing signs of anxiety and they know how to support and assist them in expressing their concerns. Complaints are thoroughly explored until a satisfactory outcome is achieved. All young people accommodated have family members or significant others who can act as advocates for them.

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Quality of care

Care planning strategies are comprehensive and effective, young people benefit from detailed care plans that are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Excellent information sharing ensures all staff meet each young person’s needs and the goals set for them. Young people's individuality and their particular skills are recognised and promoted in their care plans. Needs relating to cultural background, identity, faith or sexual orientation are positively addressed and supported in day-to-day practice.

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Quality of care

Staff encourage and promote healthy lifestyles. Young people enjoy foods which are varied, healthy and there is opportunity for young people to help prepare meals. Young people are active and can enjoy many outdoor activities. Staff receive training in medication and first aid to ensure they safely practice and support young people’s health needs. Any illnesses, accidents and injuries are well recorded with the appropriate use of body maps.

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Quality of care

The accommodation is a purpose-built facility on two floors, accessible by both stairs and a lift. The provision is very well maintained. There are four separate flats; each with good facilities, as well as individual bedrooms for young people. The bedrooms have recently been painted and refurbished, which gives them a more homely feel. Bedrooms are individualised with pictures and posters, depending on the needs of each young person. Young people can access a range of facilities within the local specialist school; including outdoor play areas, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms, soft play areas and an art room. However, at times there are odours from sanitation bins, this can be unpleasant for young people when they use the bathroom area.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Good arrangements are in place to safeguard young people and protect them from harm or abuse. The setting's low staff turnover provides stability and consistency for young people. A robust recruitment process includes all the necessary checks before a new staff member commences work. Staff are trained in child protection and can demonstrate effective safeguarding practice should they have concerns about a young person's well-being. Staff recognise that young people's disabilities can make them extremely vulnerable if left unsupervised. Very good staffing levels provide close supervision, which enables young people to feel safe and secure. Staff have suitable records readily available, for the police to have the required information if a young person goes missing. Although a rare occurrence, this has happened on one occasion since the last inspection; staff responded appropriately enabling the young

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people enjoy the interaction and engagement they have with staff. Staff are appropriately trained in behaviour management and focus on encouraging positive behaviour. Equally, they recognise what triggers may cause distress or challenging behaviour and employ distraction, diversion or reprimands to address any unacceptable conduct. On rare occasions, staff use physical interventions with young people, but only where there is a risk to the safety and well-being of young people or others. Good progress is being made in exploring how to keep young people safe without electronically locking the doors into each flat. Staff are working with parents to ascertain the likely risk of young people leaving the setting or feeling unsettled if another young person comes into their area. However, there continues to be long periods when doors are closed appropriately to protect individuals. These measures to protect individual young people can impact on other young people accommodated

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a safe environment that is regularly monitored. Staff take active steps to keep themselves, young people and visitors safe from the risk of fire and other potential safety hazards. For example fire safety checks and regular fire drills at varying times of the day and night.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

This setting meets the aims and objectives in its Statement of Purpose. Staff provide a stable, structured and nurturing environment. Young people benefit from individual attention as a result of excellent staffing ratios. Young people receive a high level of care and support from staff who are experienced, well-trained and receive appropriate appraisals. Effective supervision arrangements and team meetings enable staff to regularly discuss practice and the individual care of each young person. This supports improving the quality of young people’s lives.

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Leadership and management

The ethos of the setting is that young people are treated as individuals and are provided with individualised support. Their uniqueness is acknowledged and valued whereby their care is tailored to enable their complex needs to be well met. Differences between people, whether based on cultural, religious or behavioural needs are celebrated. The inclusive atmosphere in the home ensures that everyone is seen as part of the group and yet they are also able to maintain their individual identities and routines.

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from a service that is organised and managed in a diligent, effective and professional way. Staff regard the management arrangements as open and inclusive equally staff report that the team works very closely and consistently. The manager and senior staff monitor the conduct of the setting on a monthly basis and this is reinforced by independent monthly monitoring visits under Regulation 33. Therefore quality assurance mechanisms are sound, effective and improve outcomes for young people. This is evidenced by the setting's progress in meeting the requirements and recommendations made at inspection.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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