Children's Home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

Unique reference number SC059717 Inspection date 05/12/2011 Inspector Wendy Anderson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/03/2011 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 is one of four settings in the area owned and managed by a national childcare agency. There are operational links with the organisation's fostering service and school. The home currently accommodates girls only, and provides short-term and long-term placements. The home is registered to care for six young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be satisfactory .

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides the young people with a satisfactory standard of care. Young people make good progress in relation to their starting point within a nurturing, supportive environment with consistent boundaries. Young people are enabled to take an active role in the planning for their care and the development of the home. This care is provided by a committed staff team who have recently undergone an unsettled period with significant changes to the team. After a recruitment drive there is now in place a senior structure within the staff team which will be able to address the shortfalls identified in this report. These are mainly associated with the record keeping and the revision and updating of risk assessments, implementing the shortfalls found at the Regulation 33 visits and ensuring that staff receive supervision and appraisals as required by the organisation.

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Overall effectiveness

Four young people currently live in the home and all were present for the majority of the inspection.

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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 a written Statement of Purpose consists of a statement to the matters listed in Schedule 1 (Regulation 4 (1)) 31/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals and improving the quality of care provided in the children's home (Regulation 34 (1) (a) (b)) 31/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure actions made by the Regulation 33 visitor are implemented (Regulation 33 (1)) 31/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

23 ensure all parts of the home to which children have access are 31/01/2012 (2001) so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards. Particularly to include risk assessment are regularly reviewed and updated and environmental risk assessment be completed (Regulation 23(a) )

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment and provide adequate means of escape. In particular ensure comprehensive records of checks on this provision are kept (Regulation 32 (1) (a) (b)) 31/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons work at the home. In particular ensure that newly appointed staff are not left in sole charge of the home (Regulation 25 (1)) 31/01/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure staff receive appropriate supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 27 (4) (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 where staff have lived or worked overseas information is obtained from the appropriate authority as to their suitability to work with children and young people (NMS 16.3)  ensure all staff sign and date all records at the home (NMS 22)  ensure all records relating to young people’s behaviour clearly state the behaviour which has led to an incident, sanction and/or restraint (NMS 3.13,14 and 18 and NMS 22.1,4 and 5)  ensure all young people have a pathway plan. (NMS 12.2 )

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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 are very positive about the home and the staff who care for them. They benefit from individualised support which helps them to develop a positive self view. Staff are proactive at encouraging young people to develop a knowledge and understanding of their background and provide them with robust support through what can be a very difficult process. The link worker system is key to this work providing a forum for the young people to focus on their goals and achievements. This linked with the well developed staff knowledge and understanding of young people’s individual needs enables them to make significant progress. The staff team are also able to seek guidance and assistance with their work from the organisation’s own therapists. Young people are actively supported in their education whether this be at the organisation’s own school facility or in mainstream school. Young people have a high

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Outcomes for children and young people

attendance rate at school and the staff team have developed good working relationships with the teachers of the young people. Staff are able to support young people both in school, with their homework and will attend all school functions. Staff actively promote the importance of education and how this can enhance the young people’s future.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The staff team promote the physical health of young people by providing and engaging them in physical activities through clubs and events. The attendance at local clubs not only enhances the young people’s health but also empowers their social skills. Involvement in the local and wider community is facilitated by the staff team with the level of support depending on the needs of the young people. This also links with the young people moving towards independence. The home enables the young people to develop their independence skills by taking part in the creation of menus, shopping for and the preparation of meals. They also work with the young people on budgeting and money management

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home supports young people to maintain contact with their family and friends wherever possible. Any restrictions on contact are clearly noted in the young person’s files.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is satisfactory .

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Quality of care

Young people are very positive about the staff who care for them saying that ‘we can be very difficult at time but they are always there for us’. Young people said that staff respect their need for space and privacy but they also enjoy spending time with staff doing ‘fun stuff’. They said this is helped by there being enough staff on duty to be able to have lots of one-to-one time with staff. Young people said that their link workers are very important to them. They said they value the one-to-one time they are able to spend with them either doing an activity or working through the reasons and/or issues that resulted in them coming into care. Thorough records are maintained of these sessions.

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Quality of care

Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the home is run. Mealtimes are a key part in this process where open discussions take place between staff and young people. Weekly house meetings are an established forum, and enhance the daily discussions. These forums cover all aspects of life within the home including menus, activities, decorating, holidays and new purchases for the home. Young people said ‘these processes work well and they feel it is their home’. Link worker sessions offer another avenue for young people to express their views. Young people said that where it is not possible for staff to act on their ideas or wishes the staff take time to explain why things cannot happen. They said they may not like the explanation but the staff help them to understand it. The home has an appropriate complaint process of which the young people are well

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Quality of care

aware. They said they would just talk to staff initially and hope things would be resolved at this level. Young people said that they would use their link worker to support them if they decided to make a complaint. Information for the young people on how to make a complaint forms part of the young person’s guide. As a whole the home, especially the manager, have been proactive at addressing complaints from neighbours. This includes holding meetings with the neighbours and involving the police to address their perceptions of the home as well as addressing any issues.

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Quality of care

The staff team have in-depth knowledge of the young people they care for. Young people's individual needs are identified and met by their placement plan. Young people's care plans clearly set out the objectives of the placement and how they are to be met by the home. These plans are compiled with the full involvement of the young people. There are supporting processes and a recording proforma developed by the organisation, which are not consistently used. These are linked to the individual goals of the young people and how they will achieve these. Young people are enabled to take part in their statutory reviews. Link workers are responsible for writing and when possible presenting reports to annual reviews. The reports are shared with the young people before being presented. After these reviews care plans are amended, however, one plan had not been rewritten but had pencil amendments added to it.

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Quality of care

None of the current young people have pathway plans in place. The manager said they have been requesting these but have been told by placing social workers that these will not been completed until the young people are older. The home carries out its own programme around life skills such as budgeting, menu planning, cooking, domestic duties, and management of their personal allowances.

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Quality of care

The home provides young people with healthy and nutritious meals. Young people are regularly consulted about what foods they like and dislike and what they want included in the weekly menus. These show a good variety, and that occasional themed meals and special treats take place. The young people have the opportunity to shop for food with the staff and also help to prepare meals. Meals are prepared in a well equipped domestic style kitchen by a member of the care team. Training on food hygiene and nutrition is provided for all staff.

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Quality of care

Young people's health care needs are well assessed and met. This work is supported by clear policies, procedures and training on medical matters. Strong links with health services are maintained with young people being registered with local practitioners. When a particular health need is identified the involvement of specialist health workers such as, the community mental health service are sought. Young people are actively encouraged to take an interest in their personal health and supported to attend planned appointments. Young people confirm they are provided with good information about health and social issues and receive helpful support in accessing them. The storage of medication is appropriate and records of medication are clear. Any treatment or first aid given to young people is well documented. Records show, prior to admission, written permission is obtained from the person with parental responsibility for each young person for the administration of first aid

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Quality of care

and appropriate non prescribed medication.

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Quality of care

The young people's education is promoted very well and they are supported to achieve to the best of their ability. Currently young people are either attending the organisation’s own school provision or mainstream schools. Each young person has a specific education file and their education targets are cross referenced in their care plans. There is effective liaison with schools and care staff will support the young people at school and with their homework. Young people spoken with confirm staff talk to them about the importance of education and encourage them to do their best.

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Quality of care

The home sees it as very important for the young people to become involved in community and sport and leisure activities. Staff support young people in the pursuit of their interests and hobbies. The home also provides group activities and holidays, which the young people enjoy.

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Quality of care

The home is decorated and furnished to a standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment. Young people said they are involved in the choice of décor and show pride in their bedrooms by personalising them with possessions and posters. There is a good maintenance and repair programme for the building. The organisation employs its own maintenance staff to ensure faults are rectified as soon as possible.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people said they feel very safe at the home and they could all identify a number of staff who they would feel happy to go to if they had any concerns. This staff support also extends to young people who have left the home and are residing in the local community. Staff clearly understand procedures designed to protect young people and are able to implement them effectively. Staff have a sound understanding of the young people in their care and their individual vulnerabilities. There is a clear procedure for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns and the care staff understand their responsibilities within this process. The home has developed good links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are all trained in safeguarding issues and this is regularly updated to ensure that their knowledge is current. Each young person is treated as an individual and staff work with them to put in place safeguarding arrangements which meet their individual needs This

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Safeguarding children and young people

includes the development of individual risk assessments. The organisation states that the individual risk assessments should be updated monthly but this is not happening consistently which could lead to staff being provided with inaccurate information.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff adhere to the robust policies and procedure that are in place for young people who may go missing from the home. These are linked to the young people’s individual risk assessments. The home has developed a good working relationship with the police and they are involved in the young people’s individual plans on the occasions that they may be missing from home. Behaviour management strategies and clear effective policies underpin staff practice. Young people are supported and encouraged to develop positive behaviours by the use of individualised rewards and incentives rather than sanctions. Staff encourage young people to communicate concerns without delay so that any issues can be dealt with as quickly as possible. Young people’s concerns are treated seriously and dealt with sensitively. Staff encourage young people to show respect for each other's well- being. Management and staff create an atmosphere where bullying is known to be

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Safeguarding children and young people

unacceptable. There is a policy on countering bullying, which is known to all and is effective in practice. Young people confirm that bullying seldom happens within the home and that staff act immediately upon any information that bullying is taking place. Anti-bullying appears as a set item for discussion on the staff meeting and house meeting agendas.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Written records of incidents of physical restraint lack detail. The behaviour that occurred and resulted in the restraint is not record. This impacts on the ability of the setting to monitor the overall effectiveness and appropriateness of the method used with a view to reducing the overall use of restraint. This shortfall has been raised in the Regulation 33 reports and the manager’s monitoring but this has not been consistently actioned. The training records show all staff are trained in the provider’s chosen method of physical intervention.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are appropriately safeguarded by the organisation's recruitment procedures. The staff files contain all the required information part from one gap where information from a person’s country of origin was not obtained prior to them commencing work. This could potentially place young people at risk. All visitors are monitored and sign the visitors' book.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The current risk assessments are in the process of being reviewed and updated. There are no risk assessments in place for the environment within the home. The shortfalls in this information could place young people at risk.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Risk assessments are in place for all activities and fire issues. The system for checking the fire equipment, evacuation routes and alarm systems has recently been revised but these checks are not being carried out at the required timescales. Although the manager said that all the portable electrical equipment has been checked it was not possible to evidence this as the certificate and test schedule is not held at the home.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

The current Statement of Purpose does not accurately reflect the work being undertaken at the home. This document has been adapted from one of the other provider’s homes and still contains information individual to that service. Also the list of staff in the Statement of Purpose does not match the staff actually at the home. Feedback from the placing authorities stated that they felt the description of the staff team as therapeutic practitioners is misleading. They said that the home does not provide any more therapeutic input than a ‘typical children’s home’. The home is also reviewing its young people’s guide.

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from living in a home that is appropriately managed. Staff and young people are very positive about the home’s manager. Staff said the manager is very supportive of them making time whenever they need it to discuss any concerns they have. Although there appears to be a lot of informal support, formal support such as, supervision and appraisals do not place at the intervals required by the organisation and regulations. The manager and the staff team are very focused on the young people and the manager has a clear view of the strengths and areas for improvement. The manager is aware of the short falls in this service and has been striving to address these but this has been compromised by a period of instability in the staff team. The staffing issues are in the process of being resolved and this has included the appointment of some senior staff who are scheduled to take over some management tasks. The manager has been striving to do all the management tasks

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Leadership and management

The staff team comprises of a good gender balance which provides the young people with positive role models. Staff duty rotas indicate there are sufficient staff on duty at all times. There has been significant recruitment of new staff since the last inspection. This has led to staff that have not completed their probationary period carrying out sleep-in shifts together. This means that inexperienced staff have been left in charge of the home. The home has sessional workers allocated to them by the organisation who cover any short falls in the rota. This helps minimise the use of agency staff and thus provide better continuity of care for the young people. The rota allocates time for quality time with young people, administration, handover and training.

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Leadership and management

Staff said the organisation makes good provision for their training and development. All staff undergo a comprehensive induction programme and foundation training that equips them with the setting's particular approaches in caring for young people. Staff are actively encouraged to access the organisation's ongoing in-service training, staff development programmes and external professional courses. However, the record of staff training does not accurately reflect the training the team has undertaken.

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Leadership and management

At the last inspection there were no requirements or recommendations made. There is a process of monitoring the home’s operation through the Regulation 33 visits and reports, and the manager’s Regulation 34 reports. The Regulation 33 visits are undertaken at the required intervals and a report is produced. These reports contain inaccurate information and where shortfalls are found these are not robustly followed up at the next visit. The manager’s Regulation 34 reports are not happening at the required intervals. Both of these short falls mean that the monitoring system is not consistently effective.

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Leadership and management

Records and policies confirm the setting provides a service tailored to meet the specific individual needs of young people. It promotes a holistic approach in working with young people that considers all aspects of diversity. Young people's individual case files are stored in a secure cabinet and are arranged in a manner that makes them readily useable by staff and accessible to young people. There is evidence of staff failing to date and sign some documentation which can make it unclear as to which is the most current document.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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