Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC034158 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 30/11/2011 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 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

The children's home provides short-break care for up to four young people of either sex aged from 11 years to 16 years of age who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The local authority owns and operates this setting.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in November 2011, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be satisfactory. Six requirements and nine recommendations were made at the last inspection, and the home has made inadequate progress in addressing all of these. Three requirements and two recommendations have not been fully met. There were no young people in placement at the time of this inspection.

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Progress

At the previous inspection, two requirements were made in relation to the home's Statement of Purpose; a further requirement was for the organisation to appoint an individual to manage the home. These requirements have been met. The home has an acting manager in place, who has submitted the relevant registration documents to Ofsted. The home's acting manager has reviewed the Statement of Purpose. This document now complies with regulations and national minimum standards. Young people know what services the home provides and what a placement there is meant to achieve.

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Progress

One requirement was to ensure that the independent visitor to the home interviewed in private, the family members or relatives of the young people living there. This has not taken place for several months, These visits help to ensure the home is run properly. The opinions of family members about the care young people receive are not borne in mind when the management assess the practice within the home.

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Progress

Another requirement was to review the risk assessments used within the home to keep young people safe and free from harm. The risk assessments record the specific activities undertaken by young people but do not provide an analysis of any risk factors, nor do they outline how any risk taking activity can be minimised or prevented. Young people are not fully protected and kept safe.

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Progress

Another requirement was to ensure that the details of the use of any restraints or holds used on young people are fully recorded in a separate bound and numbered book. Furthermore, the effectiveness of any holds or restraints used must be monitored. This has not taken place. The restraint records include additional pages being stapled into the book, the secure binding was loose and the effectiveness of any holds or restraints used is not fully considered. Written records do not fully comply with national minimum standards and regulations and the use of restraint cannot be accurately monitored and preventative actions identified.

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Progress

Four recommendations were made at the last inspection in relation to ensuring: placements of young people at the home are underpinned by an up-to-date assessment of their needs, the results of all statutory reviews are recorded on young people's files, key workers monitor each young person's care plan to ensure their needs are being met and young people fully understand the content of their placement plan. All these recommendations have been met. Young people know why they have been placed at the home, what their placement there is meant to achieve, how their changing needs are identified through the review process and how staff can help support them, thus improving the quality of the care for young people.

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Progress

One recommendation was made in relation to staff training. The home's acting manager has reviewed all the training staff have received and has identified what training needs to be updated. Training is now being provided to ensure staff retain their skills and knowledge and remain competent to look after young people.

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Progress

A further recommendation was made in relation to notifiable incidents. The acting manager has introduced a system where all notifiable incidents are logged and, where necessary, monitored until an outcome is known. This is of particular importance when dealing with safeguarding issues and child protection. This helps to protect young people and to ensure their safety.

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Progress

A recommendation was made in relation to the written records of when a young person is missing from the home and this recommendation has not been met. In one instance, a record was made of a young person being missing when they were in fact at the local shop and returned within thirty minutes. Written records provide no detail of the discussions between staff and the young person or why it was felt necessary to record this as an incident where they were missing. This makes it difficult to identify any patterns or to identify any preventative measures which could be adopted.

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Progress

The final recommendation was that the home's young people's guide should be reviewed to include all the information required to meet statutory guidance and national minimum standards. Some work has been done to meet this recommendation. However, further work needs to be carried out to ensure full compliance. Young people do not know who they can contact if they are unhappy about anything at the home.

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Progress

In addition to the above, the home has made some other improvements. The acting manager has re-organised staff teams within the home in order to provide a more proactive and accessible service across the county. This means a larger number of young people can benefit from the services offered by the home and can also participate in organised activities within their local communities. The acting manager has also audited the service and introduced a system where young people can attend the home for a limited period of time. During this time staff carry out some intensive work with them, which is designed to help them remain at home with their families.

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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) interview, with their consent and in private, such as 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 (Regulation 33 (4)(a) 30/04/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that any activities in which children participate are so far as reasonably practicable free from avoidable risks (Regulation 23(b) 30/04/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measures of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for that purpose. (Regulation 17B (3) 30/04/2012

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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 accurate, written records are retained within the home of all instances when young people are missing from the home (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5: Children's Homes; paragraph 2.82)  ensure that the children's guide to the home is accurate, up to date and reviewed annually. (NMS 13.3)

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