Children's Home run by Crusoe Care Limited in East Sussex

Unique reference number SC434573 Inspection date 13/03/2012 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/08/2011 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 is a privately owned home for two young people who have emotional or behavioural problems. There is a satellite unit which also has spaces for two young people who have emotional or behavioural problems. The satellite unit is used to provide young people with a semi-independent living experience.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive care that is well planned and fully takes into account their individual needs. As a result of this they are happy and make good progress. Young people feel listened to, well treated and share positive relationships with staff. There are minor shortfalls in the way that young people are safeguarded. This includes not obtaining a second reference directly from the referee when recruiting new staff members and a failure to notify Ofsted about the outcome of child protection strategy meetings. However, safeguarding in other areas is good and this leads to young people saying that they feel safe and being safe. Staff understand safe care and carry out safe working practices. There is an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses by the management and a commitment to improvement and development. As a result, young people make good progress from their starting points in relation to their welfare.

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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 full and satisfactory information is available in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 for all staff members (Regulation 26 (3)(d), Schedule 2) 13/04/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered provider shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of that event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30 (1), Schedule 5) 15/03/2012

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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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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff encourage young people to develop a positive self view, to understand their backgrounds and to develop confidence. This helps them to develop into responsible young adults. Young people are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles and as a result they understand the importance of good health and know how to look after their physical, emotional and psychological health needs. There are strong arrangements for ensuring that young people have access to education that is suitable. Good multi- disciplinary working occurs in order to support young people who are not making positive decisions about education. These measures help young people to reach their potential and to feel confident about their abilities. Young people are actively and positively involved in community activities. For example, they are members of the local gym, use local sport facilities and enjoy meals out at local restaurants. As a

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Outcomes for children and young people

result, they develop good social and independence skills and lead fulfilling and positive lifestyles. Where young people make less positive decisions about how they spend their time, staff offer and promote more suitable alternatives. This means that young people are well equipped to make positive decisions about how to live successful and fulfilling lifestyles.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy healthy and constructive relationships with staff and each other and this helps them to make good progress in all areas of their lives. These positive relationships also help young people to feel valued. Staff encourage positive behaviour and a sense of right and wrong. They have high and clear expectations of young people. As a result, young people understand how to interact positively and behave appropriately. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour. For example, suitable sanctions are imposed when young people behave in a way they should not. There is a consistent approach to behaviour management from staff which ensures that young people feel fairly treated. Young people say that bullying is not a problem in this home. They feel confident that staff would prevent bullying from becoming a problem and there is a clear understanding in the home that bulling is unacceptable.

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Quality of care

Young people feel listened to and know that their wishes will be acted upon. Young people say, 'I attend my reviews and staff talk to me about this'. They also say they know how to make a complaint. The positive relationships that staff enjoy with young people encourage discussion and enable young people to have their say about what is important to them. Staff maintain positive and professional relationships with partner agencies and significant people in young people's lives. As a result, the views of these people play a significant role in making positive decisions about young people's lives. A placing social worker said, 'Staff are very helpful, flexible, good at recording progress and attending meetings and following care plans'.

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Quality of care

Each young person has a care plan that is understand by staff. Care plans cover all aspects of young people's care, including arrangements for contact with family members and religious requirements such as views about attending a place of worship. As a result young people receive care that meets their needs. Strong arrangements are in place for ensuring that young people benefit from maintaining good physical, emotional and psychological health. For example, all young people are registered with the local doctor, dentist and optician. Staff ensure that young people have access to services such as the child and adolescent mental health service as necessary. Healthy eating is talked about and encouraged and young people are given practical support to attend the local gym and access sporting facilities. These measures help to ensure that young people know how to keep healthy. Staff value education and support young people to attend suitable provision. A creative and

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Quality of care

proactive approach is taken in response to young people who are struggling with their education. For example, a multi-disciplinary approach is taken to ensure that all options for supporting education are considered.

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Quality of care

Young people lead varied and interesting lifestyles and are supported to access leisure activities and develop individual interests. For example, young people are encouraged to enjoy healthy relationships with friends and also spend leisure time with staff. They say they like going to the cinema, the local gym and out for meals. As a result, young people develop confidence and their emotional, intellectual and social skills. Young people live in pleasant and homely surroundings that are well maintained. There is adequate space for young people to enjoy and there is easy access to facilities and community activities. This promotes young people's well- being.

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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

This is a home where young people are generally kept safe and protected from harm. Young people feel safe and secure. Staff actively promote the welfare of young people by generating a culture of trust and openness. A focus on risk assessment means that staff understand any risks to young people and take appropriate action to reduce these risks. There are minor shortfalls in the way that young people are safeguarded. This includes not obtaining a second reference directly from the referee when recruiting new staff members. All other required checks are made appropriately in safe recruitment including obtaining enhanced police checks and two references. This goes some way to protecting young people from harm, however, current practice does not provide sufficient rigour to fully promote young people's welfare. Furthermore, there has been a failure by the home to make a notification to Ofsted about the outcome of a child protection strategy

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Safeguarding children and young people

meeting. This does not fully comply with regulation and promote a strong approach to the safeguarding process. However, this can be described as a 'one off' as appropriate notifications of significant events are normally made. Staff also contribute appropriately and effectively to the multi-disciplinary approach to child protection and this ensures that young people are protected from harm.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are responded to appropriately when they go missing from the home and this results in them returning quickly and safely. Joint working with the police and social workers helps to ensure that any risks to young people as a result of them not returning home are minimised. This promotes young people's welfare. Positive behaviour is promoted and as a result restraint is not commonly used in this home. Young people benefit from living in a safe environment. Environmental risk assessments are made, there are regular tests on smoke detectors and fire fighting equipment and the gas and electricity supplies are safety checked appropriable. Staff are trained in fire safety and understand how to keep young people safe. As a result, young people are protected from harm.

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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 home is generally managed effectively which ensures that young people receive a service that meets their needs. There are clear polices and procedures that staff understand and follow. This results in staff being clear about their responsibilities. There is regular monitoring of the service through regulation 33 visits. Any concerns identified are quickly addressed. Young people and staff are consulted with as part of the monitoring process and this means that their views influence the way in which the home is run. A clear Statement of Purpose is in place and sets out what the home intends to do. This ensures that young people and other stakeholders know what to expect from the home. Young people benefit from having their privacy upheld and information about them is kept confidentially.

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Leadership and management

Staffing levels reflect the needs and numbers of young people placed in the home and result in a high level of support to young people. There is regular supervision, team meetings and handover sessions and this promotes strong team work and a consistent approach to young people's care. As a result, young people are well cared for. Training for staff which equips them with the skills they need to care for young people safely and keep them up to date with professional and legal developments. For example, three staff members are currently undertaking a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in children and young people.

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