Children's Home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Norfolk

Unique reference number SC065792 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Deirdra Keating Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/10/2011 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

This children's home is owned by a registered charity. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is a therapeutic community based on an Integrated Systemic Therapy model.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2011, the overall effectiveness for this home was judged as satisfactory and two requirements and four recommendations were raised. At the last inspection a requirement was raised in relation to the recording of restraints within required timescales. This has been addressed; staff are aware of this, and cross reference between incidents and the restraint record demonstrates which restraints are recorded in a timely manner. While this meets the requirements, the monitoring of these records does not demonstrate reflection about the chronology of events leading to each incident to inform future practice. The requirement raised in respect of fire drill records has been addressed. Records demonstrate that fire drills are conducted at regular intervals and include details of all young people and staff who have taken part.

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Progress

Shortfalls were raised at the last inspection regarding the management structure. There has been a restructure of senior management staff, and new arrangements ensure that the most senior person at the service will be the Registered Manager. This provides clear accountability for the day-to-day management of the home for staff and young people. Monitoring issues were also raised at the last inspection. This was in relation to the manager's Regulation 34 reports. The manager completes monthly reviews of the matters set out in Schedule 6. Although these identify patterns and trends, there is no process for the regular inclusion of consultation with parents. Young people are consulted and contribute their views in regular community and staff meetings; however, these are not evidenced in the review. Regulation 33 reports are completed every month and following evaluation of these reports, a new visitor has recently been appointed.

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Progress

At this inspection, concerns were discussed in regards to a Compliance, Investigation and Enforcement case that had been raised with Ofsted on the 20 February 2012 regarding child protection procedures. Although there is a clear safeguarding policy in place, there has been an occasion where this procedure was not implemented and this resulted in concerns about an incident not being reported or notified within required timescales. This incident led to serious shortfalls being identified in the safeguarding procedures at the home. The registered person has worked well with the staff team to ensure that all staff adhere strictly to the policy intended to safeguard children. In addition the home has worked cooperatively with the placing authority and Ofsted to make the required changes. Changes have been made in the deployment of staff following risk management plans. All staff have attended updated child protecting training. The procedures about how to safeguard children in

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Progress

the home are understood and implemented by staff. Overall, while these shortfalls gave cause for serious concerns, the registered person has taken substantive action to ensure changes are now embedded in practice. This ensures that young people's welfare and safety are paramount.

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Progress

Young people in the home say they have stable relationships with staff and enjoy time with link workers. Young people benefit from quality time with staff, enjoying activities of their choice, for example, supporting their favourite football team. There are weekly community meetings and young people contribute their ideas. Staff meetings are held on a regular basis and these provide a focus for staff to discuss each young person and ensure that their individual needs are fully met by the care offered by the home. Young people's individual preferences and requests are considered at staff meetings to ensure that their feelings and wishes are represented in the home. Staff say they are supported well by one another and the senior management team. All staff receive regular supervision and are trained and supported in their roles, contributing to positive outcomes for young people.

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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) notify without delay any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 to HMCI (Regulation 30 (1)) 27/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is at all times having a need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of the children a sufficient number of suitably qualified staff (Regulation 25 (1) (b)) 27/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that persons working at the home report any concerns about the welfare or safety of a child accommodated there to HMCI (Regulation 16 (2) (f)) 27/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person implements the policy intended to safeguard children accommodated in the home from abuse. (Regulation 16 (a)) 27/03/2012

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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

 review regularly incidents of challenging behaviour to examine trends or issues from this to enable staff to reflect and inform future practice (NMS 3.21)  ensure that children in the home are regularly involved in contributing to monitoring the operation of the home and their views and any concerns are taken into account and included in internal monitoring reports. (NMS 21.1)

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