Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC068076 Inspection date 07/07/2011 Inspector Dorrit Andrews Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/03/2011 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 children’s home provides short-term placements and is owned and run by the local Children's Services Department. It is registered for two young people aged 8 to 17 years.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive individualised care, make good progress and are looked after by competent, experienced staff. Clear, consistent boundaries and positive engagement by staff enable young people to reflect on their circumstances, develop and progress. The views of young people and significant others in their lives are valued both during and post placement and are used to develop the home's practice further.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people enjoy good relationships with staff and benefit from adults who not only care for them but care about them. Young people report they feel safe at the home and that while they do not like being in care, they consider the home is good at looking after them. Education is valued and staff are committed to supporting young people with their education and development of life skills. Participation in activities outside of the home is actively encouraged and supported to promote young people's overall well-being.

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Overall effectiveness

There is good management of the home and effective systems are in place to monitor its performance and the care of young people. The manager understands the strengths and areas of further development for the home. Areas for improvement include outlining the development of the home in a written plan and the redecoration and refurbishment of some areas.

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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

 provide a comfortable and homely environment with regards to redecoration of the hallway and stairwell and the refurbishment of soft furnishings (NMS 10.3)  compile a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home. (NMS 15.2)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's emotional needs are effectively supported and they make good progress in understanding their circumstances as a result. Regular key worker sessions provide opportunities for young people to discuss their wishes and feelings with staff and contribute to planning for their future. Young people acknowledge the usefulness of these discussions despite sometimes finding them emotionally difficult.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Individual health needs are well met and young people are encouraged and supported to eat a healthy, varied diet. Young people contribute to menu planning, help prepare meals and are encouraged to try new foods, including those of different cultures. The physical health of young people is promoted and monitored and they are encouraged to participate in physical activities outside of the home to promote their overall well-being. Membership of local clubs is encouraged and staff provide good practical and emotional support to maintain attendance. Young people benefit from staff that are confident in discussing a range of topics with them including relationships, equality and diversity matters and personal issues.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Education is highly valued and young people receive consistent support to help them attend their education provision. Individual effort and achievements are praised and recognised and support the raising of young people's self-esteem and confidence. Effective links are maintained with educational establishments and young people have access to a local library and home computer to support home learning. The routine of the home provides opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills to support their well-being and the development of their independence. Young people report they enjoy helping to cook and prepare meals and are proud of the skills they have acquired.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported with their individual contact arrangements and are supported after visits to reflect and express their feelings in line with their wishes.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy and benefit from good relationships with staff that provide good levels of care. Clear and consistent expectations, reflective discussions and the establishment of positive relationships with staff support young people to develop appropriate behaviour. Few sanctions are used and the use of physical restraint is rare. Staff work hard to support young people, are proactive in their approach and positively explore and address equality and diversity matters. Young people are fully involved in discussions about their placement plans and future planning. Their wishes and feelings are taken into account and matters are explained when their wishes cannot be met. Ideas and suggestions about the running of the home are also sought although young people tend to focus more on contributing to menus and ideas for activities. The views of others with important relationships to young people are gathered and taken into account to develop the service. Feedback from recent

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Quality of care

consultations with parents, social workers and young people who have moved on is very positive and praises the work of the home. Comments include, 'this is the first placement this young person has been able to move on from successfully' and, 'excellent placement, the best by far'. This is further endorsed by social worker comments sought during the inspection who particularly praise the staff supporting young people's attendance at appointments and the emotional support provided around contact visits.

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Quality of care

Staff support young people to take controlled risks and negotiate their place in their community through participation in activities and interests outside of the home. Where there are particular safeguarding issues, staff support and empower young people by providing external guidance, such as cycling proficiency tutoring to enable individuals to reach personal goals and ensure their safety. Staff also regularly take younger residents to the park to play football and on trips to support their social development.

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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

The welfare of young people is actively promoted through effective safeguarding systems and competent and trained staff. Comprehensive risk assessments and 24- hour management plans identify potential safeguarding risks associated with each young person. Strategies are put in place in consultation with individual young people to counter such risks. These include young people contacting the home at agreed times when out in the community and key worker discussions about keeping safe. Good, effective links continue to be maintained with other professionals concerned with safeguarding and young people report they feel safe at the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people rarely go missing; there have been no reported incidents of missing from care since March 2010. Individuals are helped to understand the dangers and risks of leaving the home without permission and staff are familiar with the home's policy in relation to young people going missing.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There is careful selection and vetting of staff and visitors are routinely asked to sign in and show their identification on arrival. These practices reduce potential risks to the welfare of young people living at the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Health and safety matters continue to be taken seriously by the home and effective systems support the maintenance of a safe environment for young people, staff and visitors. Servicing records demonstrate regular cycles of maintenance and young people demonstrate good knowledge of fire evacuation procedures and guidelines around safe use of the kitchen.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Accommodation is of a domestic scale. It is clean, tidy and generally well maintained. However, soft furnishings and the stairwell and hallway of the home are showing signs of wear. Outdoor areas are well maintained and kept free of safety hazards. The home is situated in a quiet rural area with good access to a range of activities and facilities in nearby villages, towns and city. The service takes community relations seriously and works hard to maintain positive relationships with neighbours.

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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

A Statement of Purpose provides clear and comprehensive information about the home's aims and objectives, services and facilities provided. A separate guide is provided to young people. Each of the documents has been updated in response to recommendations from the previous inspection.

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Leadership and management

There is good management of the home and a commitment to its continuous improvement. Appropriate action has been taken to address the recommendations from the previous inspection. Documentation has been updated, a certificate of electrical installations inspection has been obtained and work is scheduled in relation to fire doors.

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Leadership and management

Staff are clear regarding the aims and objectives of the home and there is robust and effective monitoring of the care provided. Areas for action are identified in comprehensive Schedule 6 and Regulation 33 visitor reports and are acted upon to maintain and enhance the quality of care provided. However, there is no written development plan for the home to measure its annual progress.

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Leadership and management

Recent restructuring has taken place within the organisation and a small number of staff changes have taken place at the home as a result. Staff are sufficient in number, experience and qualifications to support the work of the home and the team has a mix of male and female staff with a good range of skills and experience. There is a positive focus on building the new team and introducing new members to the workings of the home. Staff report they receive good management support, including supervision and annual appraisal to guide them in their roles. New staff receive induction training and subsequently access a rolling programme of mandatory and refresher training to support their work and development. External contributors are invited to team meetings to share their expertise and offer advice to staff. Of particular note is the current focus on equality and diversity matters. These practices ensure young people receive the care they need from informed and competent staff.

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Leadership and management

Young people's views are valued. They are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and are provided with opportunities to contribute ideas and suggestions to the running of the home and activities. Significant events are promptly notified to the appropriate authorities to promote the safeguarding of young people. Records are well maintained, organised and securely stored. Case files reflect the individuality of young people and record their development and progress.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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