Children's Home run by Break Charity in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC025718 Inspection date 08/12/2011 Inspector Louisa Bayley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 02/03/2011 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 children's home provides medium to long-term accommodation for up to five young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and, or learning disabilities. The home is owned by a registered charity that also owns a number of other children's homes and a residential family centre.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people in this home have individualised care plans which are tailored to their needs. The home recognises the individual characteristics, vulnerabilities, preferences and wishes of each young person and plans accordingly. As a result, barriers to equality of opportunity are broken down. This is particularly evident in access to individual education packages. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the needs of the young people and are flexible in adapting plans to promote the best outcomes.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people have warm, good humoured relationships with the staff and feel that they can raise any concerns or issues with any member of the team. When asked how they felt about living in the home, one young person said, 'I give it 10 out of 10, it is the best place for me.' All young people have a key worker and sessions are offered weekly. This further promotes positive relationships and ensures that there are regular opportunities for seeking young people's views and reviewing their progress. Young people feel listened to and say that staff ask for their opinions.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Shortfalls identified during the inspection process largely pertain to paperwork and recording. These are: inconsistencies in sending notifications to Ofsted regarding child protection issues and significant events; gaps in the recording of supervision of staff and lack of an agreed protocol with the local police regarding young people being absent from the home without permission. Some fire doors are not compliant with fire regulations; however, this had already been identified by the home. Work was being undertaken to address this during the inspection. Additionally, some staff have not had refresher training within the required timescales. The outcomes for young people have not been compromised as a result of the shortfalls.

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 adequate precautions are taken against the risk of fire with respect to upgrading fire doors in line with the fire audit recommendations (Regulation 32 (1) (a)) 27/01/2012

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 are notified to HMCI (Regulation 30 (1) Schedule 5) 27/01/2012

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all staff receive appropriate training, with specific regard to demonstrating there is good quality learning and development (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 27/01/2012

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure there is a procedure to be followed when any child accommodated in a children’s home is absent without permission which has regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children. (Regulation 16 (4) (b)) 27/01/2012

p.5

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure a written record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person. The record is signed by the supervisor and the member of staff at the end of the supervision. (NMS 19.5)

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are well supported to capitalise on their strengths, helping them to build a positive self view. Key work sessions are well utilised and provide opportunity for young people to explore a wide range of topics and issues. A social worker said of one key worker, 'they are excellent.' The home works well with other agencies to discuss strategies that will support individual needs, and these are implemented in day-to-day care.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people access a range of supportive services, including child and adolescent mental health, transitions workers, social workers, psychiatric services and the adolescent team. As a result, there is a wealth of professional input which ensures young people have equality of access to education, training, independence and well- being.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

The home recognises that mainstream education is not suitable for each individual. Staff have worked well with alternative education providers, schools, Connexions and Include to arrange education packages that engage individuals and build on their strengths. Although this has been a difficult task, the home has been persistent in encouraging young people to engage. A social worker said of one young person, in regard to their education, 'we have turned a corner.’ Where education packages are not full time, the home provides opportunities for young people to participate in meaningful activities which promote social and independence skills. Staff support and encourage young people to seek employment and training.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people participate in a range of activities that interest them. The home provided a holiday abroad during the summer, giving the opportunity to experience a different culture, food and language. Activities are individual as each young person has different interests. The diversity of skills and interests within the staff team is also a strong feature as young people are supported to develop their interests in music, sport and art. Young people are able to develop their social experiences. They are encouraged to build their friendships with peers outside of the home and friends are welcome to visit the home.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people

Independence programmes are in place for young people of an appropriate age. They are given an allowance to buy their food and toiletries, they shop for ingredients, cook meals and do their laundry. Additionally, there is engagement with the organisation's transition team. This means that young people are well prepared for moving on. When asked what they like best about living in the home, one young person said, 'I can be independent here.'

p.6

Quality of care

Young people say that they are asked for their views and opinions by the staff. Although they do not want to participate in residents' meetings, they feel happy to contribute to decisions in the home such as decoration, activities, new purchases and menus. Young people attend their reviews and contribute to planning their education, independence programmes and transitions. Each young person is aware of the complaints procedure and all complaints are appropriately recorded, with details of the outcome. Young people are also aware of how they can make a complaint to someone outside of the home. There is regular contact between young people and other professionals, including; social workers, adolescent team support workers, independent visitor and the transitions team. This further enhances opportunities to raise issues or concerns.

p.6

Quality of care

Each young person has an individual care plan which takes account of their needs, vulnerabilities, and levels of development, ability to manage risk, interests, preferences and motivation to engage. The home has demonstrated flexibility in adapting plans to further promote positive engagement by young people. Examples of this are the independence programme and the educational provision. The home has a good relationship with the schools and works in partnership with them to provide consistency for young people. Staff attend parents' evenings and liaise regularly with the school regarding the progress young people are making. The home also supports young people with their home-work and revision to ensure they are able to reach their potential.

p.6

Quality of care

The home provides opportunities for young people to engage in a variety of activities, according to their individual interests. They enjoy swimming, horse riding, attending the gym, cinema visits, holidays abroad, visiting friends, shopping, cooking and music based activities. Staff encourage young people to make their own choices in order to increase the likelihood of sustained interest. Consequently, young people are able to build their confidence and develop a positive self image.

p.7

Quality of care

Staff recognise young people as individuals with differing needs. They encourage them to express their identity through their dress, music, interests and peer groups. As a result diversity is promoted and staff role-model tolerance and acceptance of individual choices to young people. Staff also recognise the importance of culture and sub-culture for young people. An example of this is ensuring young people have the opportunity to visit their home towns or cities. This is particularly important for those who have experienced a considerable cultural shift as a result of moving from a large city.

p.7

Quality of care

The home is located in a residential area, close to the town centre. Young people are able to access local amenities and staff support them to visit areas further afield as needed. Young people's rooms have locks to ensure they can keep their personal belongings safe and that their privacy is respected. There is a well-decorated games room and the lounge has been decorated according to the preferences of the young people. The bathrooms have been updated and there is a programme of improvement work underway.

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 say that they feel safe. Bullying is not an issue, however, one young person said that when there had been an issue in the past that, 'staff dealt with it as a priority.' They went on to say they were very happy with the outcome. The home has clear procedures and policies in place regarding child protection and safeguarding. They have worked pro-actively with other agencies to protect young people from harm and clear records have been made of action taken and outcomes. Young people's vulnerability and developmental stages are taken into consideration in regard of keeping them safe and minimising their risk of exposure to harm.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

There have been several incidences of young people being absent without permission. The home has however, taken all reasonable steps to assure young people's safety and well-being. Procedures are followed although there is currently no protocol with the local police. Where young people have been absent without permission, staff have spoken to them regarding the impact of this and the risks involved. Consequently, young people are encouraged to reflect on taking responsibility for their personal safety.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

There have been no incidents of physical restraint since the last inspection. Each young person has risk assessments in place and a 24-hour management plan. These detail strategies for young people and for staff in order to minimise inappropriate behaviour. Furthermore, staff meetings present an opportunity to share successful approaches to behaviour management. This helps to promote consistency within the team and share positive ways of working.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

The home keeps young people safe by meeting health and safety requirements in the form of electrical checks, gas checks, fire evacuations and risk assessments. The manager takes action arising from fire safety audits. There is a robust system in place for the handling, administration and disposal of medication. Staff are safely recruited to ensure they are suitable to work with children.

p.8

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

The home has a positive staff team who work well together and feel supported by the management. One member of staff said, 'All staff have the common interest of promoting good outcomes for young people. Everyone is doing the job for the right reasons.'

p.8

Leadership and management

The requirements from the previous inspection were to ensure that young people have the opportunity to see an independent person following an unauthorised absence and to display a current insurance certificate which included the name and address of the home. The manager has taken appropriate action to meet both of these requirements. A recommendation was made in regard of ensuring that personal education plans are available on young people’s case files. This has now been addressed. A further recommendation was to ensure that a satisfactory building and maintenance programme is now in place. This is currently underway, with some works still to be completed.

p.8

Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the home. The home sets expectations that all young people engage in education, work or training and encourages meaningful engagement with activities, health services and mental health and well-being support as appropriate. As detailed in the Statement of Purpose, the home works well with other agencies to give young people the best opportunities to make good progress in all areas of their lives. The quality of care is monitored regularly by the Registered Manager and also through the independent visitor, who consults with young people to gain their views.

p.8

Leadership and management

The home does not currently have a robust system of recording when mandatory training for staff is due. Consequently some staff have not received refresher training within the appropriate timescales. There is also an inconsistent approach to recording that supervisions have been held. Additionally, some notifiable events have not been advised to Ofsted as required. This has not had a negative impact on young people as the home has clearly followed procedures and protocols regarding child protection and serious incidents. This has been well documented with details of action taken and outcomes.

p.8

Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

p.9