Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Walsall

Unique reference number SC038526 Inspection date 08/12/2011 Inspector Clare Davies Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/03/2011 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 service offers short breaks for up to five children and young people between the ages of five and 17 years. The service is available to children and young people with a learning disability, a physical disability and/or sensory impairment.

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Brief description of the service

The property is located in a residential area close to shops and community facilities. This service is delivered and managed by an independent provider that operates many other social care services.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people enjoy positive relationships with staff. They benefit from good levels of support from a dedicated staff team who enjoy their work. Children and young people can access a variety of social and leisure activities during their short break. Sound knowledge and understanding of individual needs by the staff team enhances the children and young people's stay by delivering consistent care. This helps to reduce anxieties and promotes a safe environment to have some fun.

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Overall effectiveness

Areas of shortfall relate to some errors in record keeping and administration. These matters and the updating of some documents do not have a direct impact on the care provided. Some aspects of this service have been translated using appropriate methods of communication though some areas do not sufficiently establish the views and wishes of children and young people. The display of many staff notices is not in keeping with a pleasant homely environment. Individual needs are met although equality and diversity issues are not fully reflected in policies and procedures.

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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 that the registered person shall make suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children's home. In particular, ensure that written records are accurate and legible (Regulation 21 (1)) 09/12/2011 17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include-the time; and confirmation that the person authorised has spoken to the child concerned and the person using the measure about the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3)(d)(h)) 09/12/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the registered person keeps under review and, where appropriate, revise the Statement of Purpose and the children's guide. (Regulation 5 (a)) 31/01/2012

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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 all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support. In particular, ensure that staff have the skills and resources to use suitable alternative methods of communication (NMS 1.3)  ensure that staff promote diversity, a positive identity and potential through individualised care. In particular, ensure that each child's ethnicity is identified according to their wishes or those of their parents and promote equality and diversity issues throughout the service (NMS 2)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. In particular, remove notices and framed certificates that provide information for staff only to a staff area. In addition, arrange for the sealant around the upstairs shower to be replaced. (NMS 10.3)

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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

Children and young people have a planned transition into this service that assists them in becoming familiar with the staff and the environment before their first overnight stay. Parents and carers are fully involved with the introduction and provide key information about their child's needs and routines. This ensures that children and young people are cared for according to their parent's wishes and that they receive continuity of care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Key workers support children and young people to develop their personal skills through encouragement to meet targets. Progress is celebrated and consequently children and young people respond well and develop a positive view of themselves and their personal achievements. The staff work in collaboration with parents, teachers and health professionals; this ensures that children and young people receive consistent care and support to meet their needs. Children and young people receive support to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Individual preferences and dietary requirements are catered for and incorporated, where possible, into the daily menu. Choice and experimentation of new food is encouraged to extend the limited diet of some children and young people. There are opportunities to make drinks and snacks and, with staff assistance, cooking as an activity. This contributes to daily living skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people receive care from staff who are trained to administer medication and medical procedures. Parents and medical professionals provide agreed protocols ensuring that children and young people receive the appropriate medical care. Personal care is delivered by trained staff who respect the privacy and dignity of children and young people. This level of support contributes to their understanding of, and coping with, the changes to their body associated with puberty.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people participate in a wide range of activities at this service and in the community. Available transport ensures easy access for trips and outings. Some young people are supported in using public transport, promoting integration in the community. Local leisure facilities are used along with many parks, cafes and shopping centres. The children and young people like the secure garden at this service where they can use a swing and enjoy outdoor play. A log cabin in the garden offers an alternative space to play to the lounge. This enables children and young people to take part in different activities individually or in smaller groups.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff have some skills in using different communication methods to connect with the children and young people. However, opportunities for children and young people to express their views and be fully consulted about the running of the service are minimal at times. Consultation lacks imagination with limited use of alternative methods of communication.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Educational needs are supported and promoted through play and activity. Children and young people enjoy access to a computer, music, DVDs, toys, books and games. There is a lot of sensory stimulation throughout the home with lighting, music and play materials. Children and young people develop skills in becoming more sociable with others, forming relationships with their peer group and staff members. With the support of this service children and young people are able to reduce some levels of challenging behaviour.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported to achieve some independent skills, such as operating a washing machine, household tasks, preparing snacks and money management. The development of these living skills benefits young people now and in the future as they reach adulthood.

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Quality of care

Good relationships are formed between the staff and the children and young people. Observations of interactions highlight the warmth and care involved, enabling children and young people to feel relaxed and secure. Parents report high levels of satisfaction with this service. One parent said, 'my child is well cared for and looks forward to his visits. I am very happy with this service'. Children and young people enjoy the activities available during their short break. Staff are very passionate about their work and strive to ensure that the children and young people have an enjoyable time when they visit.

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Quality of care

The staff team clearly know the children and young people well and, consequently, consider individual needs when planning short-break allocation, staffing levels and preferences for activities and meals. Staff arrange to meet with occupational therapists and speech and language therapists in order to deliver personalised care. This engagement with other professionals ensures that staff can deliver the therapeutic techniques in the correct manner to benefit the child.

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Quality of care

Parents are advised of the formal complaints procedure and, if the need should arise, there is a picture and symbol version for children and young people. This service has received two complaints since the last inspection and records confirm they were managed appropriately.

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Quality of care

Generally there are sound systems for the management of medication. Minor errors were found in the recording of some administration of medication. This administrative error has minimal impact on children and young people who receive the correct medication as prescribed. Some children and young people have complex health care needs that are managed very well by the staff. This supports parents and carers in the knowledge that their child is being cared for by trained staff.

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Quality of care

Individual care needs are identified within placement plans. Needs relating to cultural background and personal identity are explored with the family when the placement begins but this information is not routinely transferred into the placement plan. The staff ensure that any dietary needs are met and have an awareness of cultural issues that need to be considered. However, issues relating to equality and diversity are not fully reflected in the home’s policies and procedures and there is a lack of promotion of cultural events within the home. This limits the opportunities for children and young people to embrace and celebrate difference.

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Quality of care

This service is located in a residential area with good access to the local community. All but one of the bedrooms for children and young people are on the ground floor; some overhead tracking installed assists in the delivery of personal care. The lounge is bright and leads onto the garden. There are soft furnishings and a dining table. The kitchen is domestic in style and accessible to children and young people. There are three bathrooms; one has a special bath, enabling the height to be adjusted and it is fitted with water jets. Children and young people enjoy the bubbles and can benefit from this hydrotherapy. One of the shower cubicles is in need of decoration. Generally the home is pleasantly decorated and furnished to create a homely atmosphere. The display of many notices in the hallway, lounge and kitchen detract from this homely environment and meet the needs of staff rather than children and

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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

Safeguarding policies and procedures are comprehensive and up to date with reference to current guidance. All staff have received training from the local safeguarding team. Consequently, staff are alert to the vulnerabilities of children and young people. Throughout their short-break stay, children and young people are cared for safely. This is underpinned, not only by the staff knowledge in child protection but, through the physically safe environment. The building is secure without restricting children and young people's liberty and good levels of staff supervision contribute to their safety. There are clear procedures to follow should a child or young person go missing.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Behaviour support plans assist staff in providing a consistent response to behaviour with the emphasis on distraction. Staff are trained in the safe handling of challenging behaviour and any physical intervention is recorded. Some minor details are not routinely recorded in the log of physical interventions. This has minimal impact on children and young people but does not fully meet the regulatory requirements. Incident and accident reporting is closely monitored by the manager to identify trends and patterns of behaviour. Any observation of new behaviour is discussed fully amongst the staff team to identify triggers and what strategies to use. Staff contribute to multi-agency meetings to ensure a collaborative approach when supporting children and young people and identifying any risks.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are sound generic risk assessments to cover aspects of the building, the garden, transport, activities and outings. Regular fire evacuations take place. These ensure children and young people know what to expect if the alarm is activated. Staff are sensitive to the distress caused to some children and young people on hearing the alarm but they continue to have practise evacuations with no compromise on safety procedures. This allows children and young people, in time, to recognise the alarm and, whilst being supported by staff, learn what happens next.

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Safeguarding children and young people

This provider adopts a robust procedure to employ new staff following safer recruitment practices. Visitors are required to show some identification and there are photographs of maintenance and repair people who are authorised to enter the property. These systems help to protect children and young people as these ensure that only suitable people are permitted to gain access the home.

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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

The direction of this service lacked certainty for a while as the provider considered relocation. This led to some anxieties amongst the staff but their commitment to the children and young people has not faltered. Parental comments and photographs of activities and events confirm that children and young people benefit from this short break service. Now the prospect of remaining a children's service has been secured, the manager and staff can commit to development plans and demonstrate capacity for continuing improvement.

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Leadership and management

There are some good systems to monitor practice within the home. This enables the manager to identify any training needs and ensure that policies and procedures are being followed. Parents and social workers report high levels of satisfaction with the service through consultation and formal surveys.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose sets out the aims and objectives of the service but is out of date and does not reflect the revised regulations and new national minimum standards. The children's guide incorporates photographs of the home and is a child friendly document, however, this also requires updating.

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Leadership and management

Sound policies and procedures provide clarity and guidance to the staff team. Staff receive regular supervision and good training opportunities. Regular staff meetings provide a forum for sharing best practice and keeping abreast of new policy and guidance at a local level, within the organisation and nationally. New staff report that they are supported and provided with training to assist them in their role. Professional development is encouraged with support in obtaining formal qualifications in social care and management.

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Leadership and management

The staff team are passionate and enthusiastic about their work. This approach supports children and young people to have an enjoyable stay, enabling them to reach their potential. The service is sufficiently resourced with good staffing ratios and access to purposeful activities and varied outings.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is satisfactory .

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