Children's home run by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Dartford

Unique reference number SC036911 Inspection date 19/03/2012 Inspector Angus Mackay Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 19/12/2011 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 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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to provide short-term care for up to four children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities, with two additional places available for day care. The home is staffed with a combination of nurses and health care assistants and is run by a health authority

p.4

Progress

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

p.4

Progress

The inspection judgement was satisfactory at the last full inspection on 19 December 2011, with four recommendations and one requirement being set. The home has successfully addressed the requirement and fully or partially addressed the recommendations. The home closed after the last inspection for refurbishment, structural improvements and modernising of lighting. The home has a manager in place but she has not completed her registration with Ofsted which she must finalise to ensure continuity in the safe management of the home.

p.4

Progress

During the closure the manager implemented changes to policies and procedures, to ensure they meet national standards. Staff feel empowered by their involvement in reviewing and redrafting procedures. Staff also took part in a wide-ranging training programme to enhance existing knowledge and develop new skills in their care of children. The children benefit from the comprehensive training completed, enhancing staff competency in working in this setting. Staff say that the training programme has also given them an understanding of the role they play in meeting regulations and standards, leading to improved care and outcomes for children.

p.4

Progress

The management of the home have established a monitoring and reporting process to provide monthly reviews of the conduct of the home, incorporating children’s views. Children will benefit from the additional safeguard provided by this monitoring. All staff have now taken part in fire evacuations and the manager has provided additional training in fire safety. Children’s safety is maintained and supported by this training and their newly-completed, individual evacuation plans and risk assessments. The manager has reviewed evacuation procedures enhancing children’s safety by improving exits and safety procedures and resources. Staff continue to receive safeguarding supervision and managers have agreed dates for future professional supervision, to reinforce good standards of work with children. The manager understands the need to ensure that supervisors supply regular supervision, to maintain standards of care for children. The manager and staff team

p.4

Progress

have reviewed the Statement of Purpose and are completing a new version to incorporate all new staff details and reflect the work done with children and their families. The manager must publish this review of the Statement of Purpose to accurately represent the service children and their families can expect to receive. Children receive an easy to follow pictorial brochure about the home. Staff have rewritten this brochure including contact details with relevant support agencies. Staff are adding current telephone numbers of these agencies, to improve the ease of access to them, for children in need of support. The manager makes excellent use of internal monitors of activity to improve the service to children. The manager has still to conduct a six-monthly review of this information, to improve the quality of care provided and supply a report to the HMCI.

p.4

Progress

Parents and children comment favourably on the physical changes to the home. They say that it is looking lovely and is more comfortable and child-friendly. Children have asked for additional changes to improve their comfort, such as changing the doorbell, which the manager is enacting. Children are enjoying a brighter, better equipped and safer environment. Examples of the improvements which positively impact on children are the new bath and shower rooms, enhanced play and storage space, and improved lighting and décor. Children and staff say the changes to the garden are fun and allow them more access to the outside in a safe environment. Imaginative use of space inside the building has enhanced staff working conditions and improved play and rest areas for children. Children are looking forward to meals cooked in the home in the newly refurbished kitchen. Staff are very enthusiastic about this and have received extensive training in food hygiene and food safety.

p.5

Progress

Staff, in consultation with children and their families, have prepared healthy menus meeting children’s preferences, cultural needs and health requirements. Children will get health benefits from receiving freshly-prepared meals with fresh fruit, vegetables and non-frozen ingredients. Children are involved in purchasing food and staff say some will be involved in cooking, when the kitchen opens, enhancing their life skills. Children have new adapted cutlery which they can easily use, enhancing their self- help skills and independence from staff.

p.5

Progress

The manager used the closure time positively with the staff team who have completed a comprehensive training and support programme. Staff are particularly positive about placements in other settings which have provided them with many new ideas for improving their work with children. Staff say that as a result of their experiences they are working more closely with parents and schools to provide a consistent service to children. For example, staff are discussing effective sanctions with parents and supporting these where appropriate. The manager has supplied training to improve both knowledge and skills to enhance the outcomes for children. An example is training which has improved staff skills in communicating and engaging children in activities. Following this, staff have enrolled in the local library and toy library which children are already benefitting from. Children have a wider range of toys to play with which and staff more skilled at engaging them in play.

p.5

Progress

Safeguarding training has focussed on communication skills with children and families to provide staff with confidence in addressing difficult issues with parents to improve children’s safety. Staff say that a lot of training is aiding them in improving the care and safety of children, particularly the courses in equality and diversity, managing complaints, reporting incidents and managing difficult behaviour.

p.5

Progress

Additional management support is in place to aid in embedding the changing policies and procedures in practice. In particular support is in place to devise and implement a staff competency framework. The aim is to promote clinical effectiveness and safe working practices. The manager aims to use this work, to aid staff to demonstrate their new knowledge and skills, to improve service delivery to children and their families. In addition the manager has trained all staff in the use of online recording systems to improve their efficiency and the quality of recording. Children benefit from improved sharing of information between professionals working with them. The manager is able to extract information from the system more readily improving the analysis of information and identification of successful interventions with children.

p.5

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.6

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a Registered Manager is appointed (Regulation 7 (1)) 30/04/2012

p.6

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the review conducted to monitor the matters set out in Schedule 6 is supplied to HMCI. (Regulation 34 (2)) 30/04/2012

p.6

Recommendations

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

p.6

Recommendations

 ensure that the Statement of Purpose accurately reflects the service provided by reviewing it at least annually (NMS 13.3)  ensure that all staff are provided with regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff. (NMS19.3)

p.6