Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC390167 Inspection date 24/01/2012 Inspector Sophie Wood Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/07/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This private children's home provides for two young people aged between 5 years and 17 years.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of this service was judged satisfactory at the last full inspection in July 2011. Seven statutory requirements and five recommendations were made as a result of that visit. The manager is completing her application for registration with Ofsted and the home currently employs a sufficient number of staff to meet the needs of the young people. This inspection visit finds that good progress has been made with regards to four of the statutory requirements and three of the recommendations. Satisfactory progress has been made with regards to three statutory requirements and two recommendations.

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Progress

Statutory requirements were made with regards to the Statement of Purpose, records, fire safety, health information and quality assurance processes. Recommendations included risk assessments, preparation for adulthood, procedural guidance, the learning and development needs of staff and the home's development plan.

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Progress

The home demonstrates a structured and timely response in terms of implementing changes. A number of record keeping shortfalls have been swiftly rectified. Improvements to internal monitoring systems are taking longer because the home is piloting a number of different ideas in the interests of securing the most robust systems possible. Such areas are judged to be making satisfactory progress at this stage because the full impact cannot yet be fully assessed.

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Progress

The home's Statement of Purpose accurately describes the provision and services offered. Placing authorities and other stakeholders receive the information they need. This factor enables appropriate referrals to be made, in the best interests of the young people.

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Progress

Placement plan formats have been updated. These now hold all of the required information in ways which capture the views and opinions of young people. Individuals are encouraged to take real ownership of their plans and their contributions are highly valued. Young people develop a greater sense of having control over their own lives and this impacts positively upon their self-esteem. Separate health information sections have also been updated. Key, relevant historical health information is rigorously chased by the manager and young people are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for maintaining their own good health. Within an encouraging and educative environment, young people receive the guidance and support they need. The use of external professional health services is swift and appropriate. The home works collaboratively with such agencies and encourages young people to do the same.

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Progress

The manager has reviewed a number of recording systems. Where possible, areas previously over duplicated are now streamlined, with many being transferred into electronic records. Staff members value simpler systems which enable more time to be dedicated to working directly with the young people. Some areas, including duty rosters and visitor records still have gaps. This hinders the ability to readily identify who is present in the home at given times and presents potential safeguarding risks.

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Progress

Fire safety processes and systems are robust. Records are up to date and young people participate in regular evacuation practises. They know what to do. Additional fire doors have been installed and the team demonstrates a heightened awareness with regards to fire safety and the potential risks within the home.

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Progress

Quality assurance processes conducted by the manager and on behalf of the registered provider are continuing to develop. Revised formats with regards to Regulation 33 and Regulation 34 systems and visits are being trialled, as is the use of external consultants. Although in their infancy, such systems are becoming better at capturing the views of the young people and analysing the information in place. The findings of such reports are beginning to establish clearer development plans for the home. Such work is ongoing but the service is better placed to make improvements, in the best interests of the young people as a result.

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Progress

Updates with regards to a number of individual risk assessments include a better definition of the actual risks presented and their potential severity. Control measures are explicit and staff are better placed to effectively safeguard the young people because the prescribed guidance for them to follow is clear.

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Progress

Pathway plans have been reviewed and updated. Young people participate in the completion of this material and engage in meaningful dialogue with their key workers in terms of planning for their future. Such plans explore young people's needs and views. This information focuses their day-to-day activities with regards to practising the skills they need to build on and acquire for the next stage of their lives.

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Progress

Staff are benefiting from the recent updates made to a number of key policies, including safeguarding and medication. Such guidance has been underpinned by clear, prescriptive procedures which enable swift and appropriate action to be taken. Young people are effectively safeguarded.

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Progress

Staff supervision and appraisal systems focus upon individual and collective training and development needs. New systems remain in their infancy. Progress is already apparent in terms of securing a number of appropriate courses which stand to improve upon the overall quality of care provision through a more knowledgeable staff team. In addition to the above, the organisation has reviewed its own recruitment processes and conducted a review of all existing staff personnel files. Robust systems are demonstrated through the most recent example of staff recruitment. Young people are effectively safeguarded.

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Progress

Young people are enjoying and benefiting from safe and appropriate relationships with the staff team. The manager is respected and leads by example. This home is implementing clear improvements which are positively impacting upon the overall quality of the care provided.

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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 the records specified in Schedule 4 are maintained and kept up to date. This requirement is made within the context of ensuring that records of the actual hours worked by staff are maintained and the visitor's book is accurately completed (Regulation 29(1) Schedule 4) 12/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure visits undertaken on behalf of the provider include interviewing such of the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. This requirement is made within the context of the need to continue to sustain good quality assurance systems (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 12/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) implement a robust system to monitor the matters as set out in Schedule 6 at appropriate intervals. This requirement is made within the context of sustaining the newly implemented format to ensure better outcomes and improved services are provided. (Regulation 34(1)(a)) 12/03/2012

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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 there is a good quality learning and development programme which staff are supported to undertake. This recommendation is made within the context of ensuring the new formats are effectively implemented for all staff and become embedded in the practise of the home (NMS 18.1)  implement a clear development plan to address the shortfalls raised through internal monitoring. This recommendation is made within the context of ensuring that new systems become embedded in practise to ensure the continued development and improvement of the services provided by the home. (NMS 21.2)

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