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

Unique reference number SC034158 Inspection date 04/07/2012 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/03/2012 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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Brief description of the service

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

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people who live at the home say they enjoy doing so. Some have commented that being there has helped them to deal with difficult situations and to control their temper more. The manager and staff are lively and enthusiastic. They work hard to provide young people with the skills and confidence they need to deal with their emotions and behaviour in an appropriate and acceptable manner. The needs of young people are not always assessed prior to a placement being arranged. However, staff work hard to plan what needs to be achieved during each young person’s stay at the home and appropriate care plans are agreed. Each young person stays at the home for a time-limited period. During that time regular reviews are held to monitor progress and to adapt service provision where necessary. The home has an admissions and discharge register in place, although the legal status under which a young person is accommodated at the home is not recorded. Each young person

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Overall effectiveness

has a key worker. Key workers monitor young peoples' progress and liaise closely with professionals and parents about the help and support given to them. Young people, parents and professionals have positive views about the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The behaviour of young people is well managed although behaviour plans are not concise or retained in one specific document. Sanctions or restraint are seldom, if ever, used. Where they have been used, the written records are not retained on each young persons file. All young people are engaged in education. However, information about any special educational needs that young people may have, copies of their school reports and personal education plans are not retained on file.

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Overall effectiveness

The primary health care needs of young people remain the responsibility of their parents. However, whilst they are at the home staff may be required to administer first aid or, in case of accident, ensure emergency treatment is provided. Written consent for the administration of medication or for medical treatment is not available in all cases.

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Overall effectiveness

The home has taken positive steps to address previous requirements and recommendations.

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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 a permanent written record is maintained of each child who is accommodated in the home. (Regulation 28) 28/09/2012

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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 that information about the child is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to the child when they access their files now or in the future (NMS 22.5)  ensure children have prompt access to medical treatment; specifically, gain written consents for treatment and emergency treatment (NMS 6.4)  ensure that the home only provides admission to children whose assessed needs they can reasonably expect to meet; specifically, obtain up-to-date assessments of each child's needs and family circumstances (NMS11.2)  ensure that the home accurately records how the emotional and behavioural needs of children are being met (NMS 3.7)  ensure that sanctions and rewards for behaviour are clearly recorded, reasonable and fair and are understood by all staff and children (NMS 3.8)  maintain an accurate record of all medication given to children during their placement. (NMS 6.15)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good . Not all young people who live at the home have their needs assessed prior to being placed there. However staff, use their knowledge and expertise to write individualised care plans, which show what work will be undertaken with specific young people and how their needs will be met. This helps young people to cope with their anger more appropriately and to develop their relationships with their parents. One parent said about her daughter, ‘she isn’t as nasty to me now and can talk to me calmly’, another said his son was ‘settled with fewer temper outbursts’. Formal meetings take place every week with young people. During these meetings young people are able discuss how they are feeling and what they would like to do. This helps them to grow in confidence and improve their self-esteem. One young person said, ‘I’ve learned to do my washing and just have fun’. Each young person has a

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Outcomes for children and young people

key-worker. Meetings between key-workers and young people take place at frequent intervals. The key-working system is effective in helping to ensure that essential information is shared between all relevant parties and that strategies to help young people improve their behaviour and social skills are both discussed and agreed.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Members of staff are aware of each young person's strengths and they provide a supportive and enthusiastic environment in which young people can develop their social skills. Young people are encouraged to become involved in the local community and further afield. Examples of this include bike riding, making a den in the garden, music technology and trips to the seaside. This helps them to build confidence and to enjoy a wide range of positive activities.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The primary health care needs of young people remains the responsibility of their parents. However, whilst at the home, staff are responsible for the immediate health care needs of young people including the administration of medication. The records relating to the administration of controlled drugs are unclear. The amount of medication received into the home was, in places, duplicated. This means that staff may be unaware of what the actual balance of medication is at any one time. In addition, not all parents have given written consent for staff to administer medication or to ensure their child receives emergency treatment. This means delays might occur in ensuring young people are properly attended to.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to enjoy regular exercise with regular bike rides and trips to the beach or park. This helps young people to understand the importance of staying healthy and in taking regular exercise.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive a consistent level of help and support to learn new things and to develop their independence. Young people are encouraged to take part in meal preparation and to prepare snacks. Young people are supported to develop a positive self-image and to be aware of their own presentation. This helps young people to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The education and school attendance of young people living at the home remains the primary responsibility of their parents. However, staff actively encourage and promote their attendance. Staff are in regular contact with all education providers. This helps to ensure that changes in need and circumstances are quickly identified and services adapted to continue meeting those needs. Regular school attendance gives young people the opportunity to learn new things and to achieve their full potential.

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Quality of care

The home provides a welcoming and supportive environment in which young people can develop both physically and emotionally. Not all young people have had their needs formally assessed prior to being admitted to the home. However, staff do undertake their own needs assessment with the young person and their parents. This allows them to develop an individual care plan for each young person. Members of staff understand the needs of young people and work hard to ensure that they are met. In addition, key-workers regularly monitor and evaluate the care young people receive. One parent said, ‘if I need help I just ask. Staff, are a great help’. Another parent said, ‘if any help or advice is needed it is always there’. Staff are able to determine the effect that a placement at the home has on a young person and their family. The changing needs of young people are acted upon in a prompt and timely fashion.

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Quality of care

Young people's files are well ordered and written information retained within the home provides an extensive record of each young person's stay there as well as the help and support they receive. However, detailed information from all areas of the young person’s background is not retained on file. This is particularly the case with regards to information about any special educational needs the young person may have, copies of school reports and personal education plans. Staff are unable to support and reinforce the formal education of young people. This mean young people may not achieve their maximum potential.

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Quality of care

Regular meetings take place between staff and young people. Within the home there is a culture of promoting each young person's independence and in developing their ability to cope in stressful situations. This helps young people to develop their confidence and to deal with their anger in an appropriate manner.

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Quality of care

The home has a clear admissions process for young people. Members of staff are committed to ensuring each young person enjoys a positive experience while living at the home and is able to develop both physically and emotionally. Young people are encouraged to visit the home prior to admission in order to meet staff members and to familiarise themselves with the surroundings. The home's admission and discharge records do not record the legal status under which young people have been accommodated. This means that staff will not know who is legally responsible for the care and welfare of young people.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy living in a quiet residential area. During their stay, each young person has their own bedroom and they are encouraged to make them as comfortable and personal as possible. There is a lounge where young people can relax and socialise and a dining area where members of staff and young people can enjoy a meal together. Externally the home has a large garden where one young person has started to build a den amongst the trees. The home provides a comfortable and pleasant environment for young people to enjoy.

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Quality of care

Individual dietary needs are catered for and members of staff have undergone training in food hygiene. Young people are encouraged to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

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Quality of care

Members of staff strive to provide an environment in which young people can be happy and flourish. No complaints have been made by young people and they make good progress. Several compliments have been received from satisfied parents about the service provided to their children.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is adequate at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are clear systems in place within the home to safeguard young people. There have been no occasions since the last inspection when a young person has been missing. In addition, there are no recorded incidents of bullying having occurred within the home. The manager and all members of staff are trained in safeguarding. Refresher training takes place to help keep their skills and knowledge up to date. This helps to ensure they are both confident and competent in dealing with any safeguarding issues should they arise.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Members of staff promote a culture of positive behaviour within the home. Acceptable behaviour is actively encouraged. Young people are given clear consistent boundaries and are supported to take responsibility for their actions. One example of this is where a young person wrote a letter of apology to one of the neighbours for causing a nuisance. Restraint and sanctions are seldom, if ever, used. Written records relating to both restraint and sanctions are completed. However, a copy of each record is not placed on the specific young person’s file. This means that a complete record of their stay at the home will not be retained on their individual file.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home's manager carries out regular checks of the home's fire systems, smoke detectors and emergency lighting. Young people take part in fire drills and the time at which fire drills take place is fully recorded. Young people live in a safe environment because the home has a thorough and systematic approach to risk management. Risk assessments are clear, focused and regularly reviewed. Regular checks of gas installations and electrical equipment also take place.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from a very stable staff team. There has been one new appointment since the last inspection. The home operates a thorough, detailed and robust recruitment policy. This helps to ensure young people are looked after by suitable people and protected from potential abuse. Visitors to the home are asked to clearly identify themselves on arrival and to sign the visitors’ book.

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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's manager is experienced and well respected. She provides clear, effective and competent leadership. Members of staff are motivated and encouraged to create new opportunities for the young people living at the home. The home meets the aims and objectives set out in its Statement of Purpose and provides clear information about the skills, qualifications and experience of the staff team. The children's guide to the home is clearly written and is provided to each young person when they are being considered for a placement at the home. The children’s guide includes the contact information of relevant agencies that young people can contact if they are unhappy about anything.

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Leadership and management

The home’s manager provides daily support to the staff team and regular formal supervision. This helps staff members to know what is expected of them and to feel supported in their work. Young people receive consistent care from a well supported staff team. Members of staff understand each young person’s individual strengths and needs. Working practices are consistent in enabling young people to develop emotionally, in increasing their self-esteem and in helping them to achieve their maximum potential. Young people are supported to learn new skills and to participate in how the home is run.

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Leadership and management

The organisation demonstrates a commitment to training all staff and in ensuring all training is kept up to date. Staff retain the skills and competencies they need to care for young people.

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Leadership and management

Young people live in a home that is effectively managed. The home's manager provides effective management and has systems in place to ensure that the quality of care is regularly monitored. Problem areas which may be identified are quickly highlighted and swift action is taken. The manager has written a detailed development plan for the home. The manager and staff know what the strengths and weaknesses of the home are and what improvements they wish to make.

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Leadership and management

Monitoring visits from someone independent of the home take place every month. The person undertaking these visits talks, where possible, with young people, their parents or relatives and staff. These visits help to ensure that the home is run properly and that young people are well cared for.

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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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