Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

Unique reference number SC425786 Inspection date 15/08/2012 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 20/03/2012 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

Brief description of the service

This children's home accommodates up to nine children who have physical disabilities or learning disabilities. Children may be accommodated for short breaks or cared for on a longer-term basis. It is operated by a local charitable foundation.

p.3

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

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Children and young people are known extremely well to a sensitive and committed staff team. Communication between children, young people and staff is excellent, resulting in the wishes and feelings of children and young people being central to the delivery of services. Staff consistently ensure children and young people have opportunities to make choices and express themselves.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The complex individual needs of children and young people are understood, planned for and consistently met. Children and young people are safe and are positive about the care they receive. Working together with families and external agencies, managers and staff consistently improve the lives and experiences of children and young people.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Shortfalls relating to certain aspects of safeguarding and leadership and management have been highlighted through this inspection. These have the effect of limiting the inspection judgements for these areas, but have little impact upon the quality of care and the outcomes for children and young people.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Leaders and managers within the home are supported by a parent organisation that demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement to benefit the children and young people using the service.

p.3

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.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include all matters listed in these regulations (Regulation 17B(3) and (4)) 01/10/2012

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed in the children's home receive appropriate supervision (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 01/10/2012

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) supply a copy of each report required to be made under paragraph (4)(c) to the HMCI (Regulation 33(5)(a)) 01/10/2012

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) supply to the HMCI at appropriate intervals a report in respect of any review conducted by the registered person for the purposes of paragraph (1) of this regulation, which provides for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34(2) and (3)) 01/10/2012

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure that the home's procedures are compatible with and have regard to Runaway and Missing from Home and Care protocols and procedures maintained and managed by the police or by the local authority for the area where the home is located (NMS 5.6)  ensure that the home's design promotes children's well-being, in particular that children placed permanently have access to a private space away from children on short breaks (NMS 10.2)  ensure that staff follow the home's policy for the keeping and retention of files, managing confidential information and access to files. (NMS 22.1)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people make genuine progress in many aspects of their lives. Parents say that the space available in the home allows their children to make full use of their equipment which results in improved mobility. As a direct consequence, children and young people also have increased independence as they are able to choose where they would like to be and what activity they would like to take part in.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Parents also talk of increased confidence in their children and say that teaching staff have also reported improved levels of concentration, linked to children being more calm and relaxed since moving into the home permanently.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

All children and young people have full attendance at school which is only missed due to ill health or appointments that are important in identifying or meeting a particular need. Social workers for those placed permanently say that education outcomes have improved for children and young people. They now have the same points of reference to make choices in the children’s home, school and when having contact with their families. This continuity supports children and young people to consistently express their needs and make personal choices.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Responsibility for the health and education of children and young people receiving short breaks remains with their parents. However, staff consistently maintain contact with relevant professionals in these disciplines. Information is exchanged effectively and contributes to the continuity of care for each individual child or young person.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Parents of children placed permanently refer to significant improvements in the health of children and young people. Straightforward examples include, children and young people who are supported to put on weight when this is an issue. This progress is reflected in records and evidenced in photographs over time. Children and young people affected by head injuries are supported to receive the most appropriate care. Ultimately this enables them to regain their speech and train their memories. Such work clearly has a profound positive effect that fundamentally changes the outlook for individual children and young people.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people are extended in their self-help skills. Any tasks they are able to undertake themselves are encouraged and supported. Information about this is included in their individual care plans. When appropriate, staff support young people to move on to adult provision. Staff help young people to see transition as a positive experience. Some former residents live nearby and occasionally visit to stay in touch with staff and friends they have made.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Staff are proactive in supporting contact for children and young people who are placed permanently. This ensures that children and young people have positive experiences of contact with those who are important to them. Parents say that they are made to feel like ‘one of the family’ when they visit and are delighted to be invited to take part in activities around the home and out in the wider community. Staff also provide transport for children and young people when their parents do not have vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.

p.5

Quality of care

Children and young people say they like living and staying in the home and that staff look after them well. Their demeanour and response to staff confirms this. Parents describe staff as ‘lovely’ and say that staff want the best for their children. Staff engender a calm and relaxed atmosphere within the home which children and young people respond to. Young people indicate that they find their own rooms peaceful and quiet if communal areas become busy.

p.5

Quality of care

The layout of the home does not allow for a clear separation between those placed permanently and those on short breaks. However, children and young people all receive a minimum of one-to-one care from staff and have a wide range of places they can go to spend time alone or with others. Further quiet areas are provided in the form of a sensory room, a ‘safe’ room and a large garden, which includes a woodland path and sitting area.

p.6

Quality of care

Dedicated staff demonstrate that they are understanding, patient and responsive to the children and young people. Staff take the time to get to know the children and young people they care for, allowing them to identify and meet their individual needs. For some this in-depth knowledge is built up over many years. Staff are sensitive to the needs of all children and young people who are comfortable in each other’s company.

p.6

Quality of care

Parents are complimentary about the ways in which staff communicate and engage with children and young people. One parent said, ‘the team here is so good. They are so tuned into each child and can interpret. They will give choices and if they don't understand they will always check out with the child’ [that they have understood properly].

p.6

Quality of care

Prior to new admissions comprehensive details are taken from family members and all relevant professionals to form initial assessments. This enables managers to decide if the home can meet identified needs or if the care of others in the home would be compromised.

p.6

Quality of care

Staff are sensitive to any religious or cultural needs children and young people may have. Difference and diversity are acknowledged and celebrated respectfully. Staff promote different nationalities and cultures through themed evenings at intervals throughout the year.

p.6

Quality of care

Parents say that staff work with them to meet the needs of their children. All available information is used to formulate extremely detailed care plans which provide staff with clear direction regarding all aspects of each child or young person’s care. Care plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure information is current. Social workers and parents say that staff are responsive to suggestions for change. For example, staff immediately action suggestions to change the diet of children and young people to positively improve their digestion.

p.6

Quality of care

Wide ranging dietary needs are met by cooks who provide a full time catering service. This has been awarded the highest food hygiene rating. An open kitchen is separated from communal areas by a low wall. This allows children and young people to engage with the cooks who prepare their meals and enjoy the pleasant smells as mealtimes approach. Children and young people are able to view menus which are displayed at eye level for wheelchair users. These always include an element of choice, although the likes and dislikes of children and young people are well known and catered for. Individual feeding needs are met by properly trained staff.

p.6

Quality of care

Effective relationships exist with a range of external professionals. Staff have good contact with the different schools attended by children and young people. This enables them to support the learning experience of children and young people and resolve any practical difficulties if they arise. Parents confirm that staff attend consultation and review meetings with them so that information is shared and understood effectively. The health needs of children and young people are met by a range of doctors and therapists. Appointments are facilitated within the home when possible. Alternatively staff take children and young people where they need to go.

p.7

Quality of care

Parents are grateful for the support they receive and the break they have when staff care for their children. One parent said that staff, ‘never seem to be tired; 24 hour care means there is always someone who is fresh’. Parents express a preference for care in this home over the possibility of their children being placed in foster care. They fully believe this home is best able to meet the complex needs of their children.

p.7

Quality of care

Excellent facilities exist within the home and garden to meet specific needs and to stimulate children and young people. Equipment is specially designed to be accessible to children and young people with disabilities. The first stage of improvements to the play area in the garden is complete and plans are in place to finish this work. A hot-tub in an outbuilding provides the opportunity for children to either relax or exercise muscles. Necessary equipment is installed in bathrooms to ensure children and young people’s personal care is properly supported. Permanent tracks and hoists are in place to ensure children and young people can be safely lifted and moved. Extensive use of mobile hoists around the home means that children and young people are not restricted in any way. If necessary, mobile hoists are taken out on activities.

p.7

Quality of care

The life experiences of children and young people are enhanced. Staff do not allow the disabilities of children and young people to restrict them from taking part in a diverse range of activities. One parent said, 'this was all I ever hoped for my daughter', adding that she had wanted her daughter to have the opportunities that this placement provides. A selection of adapted vehicles is available to support trips out as a group, or with individual carers. The independence of children and young people is promoted through the use of public transport. For example, they use trains when travelling to London to visit tourist attractions or going to the seaside to splash in the waves in specially adapted wheelchairs.

p.7

Quality of care

Staff produce pictorial records in the form of scrapbooks to remind each child or young person what they did on their short break. Those placed permanently have more detailed memory books, or ‘life files’ built up throughout their placement. Staff creatively add written information and include objects as stimuli for children and young people such as tickets to a pop concert, feathers from a wildlife park or leaves from walks in the country.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Children and young people present as comfortable and relaxed within the home. Staff know how each child or young person communicates or reacts if they are distressed or uncomfortable. They are sensitive to any changes in the demeanour of children and young people and are prompt to respond to individual needs. Parents are confident that their children are safe and feel reassured while they are in the home.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The health needs of children and young people require the administration of a range of different medications in a variety of ways. Children and young people are safeguarded by staff who adhere to rigorous procedures. Regular audits ensure children and young people benefit from the highest standards in practice. Staff are supported through an effective relationship with a national chain of pharmacists which provides specialist training for staff, and services for delivery and disposal of medication.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The complex needs of children and young people sometimes result in medical emergencies. Constant one-to-one attention through the day and frequent checks through the night allow any concerns about a child or young person to be quickly identified. Staff are trained to immediately call for emergency assistance. The prompt service children and young people receive results in them obtaining the best treatment available to them.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Sound child protection procedures promote the safety of children and young people. A review of the current procedures has taken place. A request has been made for the Local Authority Designated Officer to evaluate the latest document and recommend improvements if necessary. The Registered Manager is keen to develop this relationship further.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The safety of children and young people is enhanced through robust recruitment practices. Comprehensive checks are carried out on all people before they begin work in the home. Children and young people are included in the selection process. Applicants spend time with individual young people, who then provide feedback to the manager. Appropriate records are kept in the home. These demonstrate the actions taken to prevent unsuitable people having the opportunity to put children or young people at risk.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Managers also protect children and young people by taking positive steps to address any actions by staff that might affect the care children and young people receive. Any failures to meet the expected standards are dealt with through effective disciplinary procedures.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Although incidents are extremely rare, managers and staff are alert to the possibility of bullying. A clear policy indicates that this is not tolerated and swift action is taken to protect any child or young person affected by bullying. Many of the children and young people living or staying in the home would not fully understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Consequently, if this becomes a problem staff will take action to manage any difficulties between children and young people to ameliorate the situation.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The positive behaviour of children and young people is generally promoted through praise and encouragement. Because staff know them so well, small changes are noticed and celebrated. The need for restraint of children or young people is limited. Staff all receive appropriate training in recognised restraint techniques. This ensures that children and young people are always kept safe if they are restrained. Restraint is only ever used in strict accordance with the legislative framework. However, records of restraints do not include all of the details listed in the Children’s Homes Regulations. The nature of this shortfall does not significantly impact upon the safety of children and young people, but a requirement is made to ensure full compliance.

p.9

Safeguarding children and young people

There have been no incidents of children or young people going missing since the last inspection. Managers and staff recognise the potential vulnerability of children and young people in their care. Where this is a possibility, risk assessments are undertaken. Effective control measures are put in place to safeguard children and young people and minimise the likelihood of incidents occurring.

p.9

Safeguarding children and young people

Irrespective of the action taken to protect children and young people from going missing the Registered Manager currently has no regular contact with the local police. The home’s policies and procedures have not been reviewed by the police. No protocol exists to ensure there is a rapid response should a child or young person go missing in the future.

p.9

Safeguarding children and young people

Personal information of children and young people is not safeguarded consistently. Working files are kept in a locked cabinet away from the communal areas, but the key is left on a hook above the cabinet. Daily records are left in unlocked filing cabinets in the upstairs staff office after being removed from working files. Large batches of papers are stored in a number of plastic wallets prior to being archived. No clear system is used to track this valuable personal data.

p.9

Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are adequate .

p.9

Leadership and management

A qualified and experienced Registered Manager has been in post since the home was re-registered with a local charitable foundation as the registered provider. The support of the charitable foundation has been influential in raising standards in the services provided to children and young people. Considerable investment has made the service financially viable and ensures that the service is adequately resourced to meet the needs of children and young people. Social workers say the home has improved over the past year and is more open to respond positively to advice and guidance. This ensures children and young people receive an effective service. The home’s Statement of Purpose is clear meaning that parents and placing authorities are made aware of the services available to children and young people. The document is written in an accessible way, but acknowledges that it is contains complex information and invites anyone to contact managers if clarification is

p.9

Leadership and management

A children’s guide is produced, incorporating words and picture symbols in a nationally recognised format that is used and understood by many children and young people. However, the Registered Manager recognises that this is not accessible for all children and young people who use the service. Work is being completed to provide an alternative version which includes actual images of the home and the people working there to make clearer links for children and young people.

p.10

Leadership and management

The one recommendation from the last inspection has been acted upon. A development plan is now in place. This sets out ideas for improvement and timescales for completion. The Registered Manager refers to this regularly, making it an active document for improving the services to children and young people. To promote transparency the development plan includes details of the annual budget for the home.

p.10

Leadership and management

Staff receive comprehensive training that ensures they are able to meet the needs of children and young people. A training matrix, managed from the head office, ensures that all core training is scheduled and staff skills are kept up to date. Specialist training is delivered to staff as required to meet specific or additional needs of children and young people.

p.10

Leadership and management

Records provide good detail including important factual information and reflections on the experiences of children and young people. Notifications are made promptly to key agencies, when required and demonstrate good practice from staff.

p.10

Leadership and management

The home is maintained to a good standard. All staff take responsibility for highlighting areas that require work and reporting these to the on-site maintenance service. The health and safety of children and young people is supported through robust monitoring systems and regular servicing of equipment. Large sections of communal areas have recently been redecorated giving a fresh and bright feel. In other areas décor is tired and carpets are worn in places, but plans are in place for a rolling programme of refurbishments. The development plan includes how this will be budgeted for.

p.10

Leadership and management

Monthly monitoring visits are undertaken consistently. Copies of these reports were seen on inspection. They demonstrate that the views of children and young people contribute to the formation of a view regarding the standard of care within the home. Reports provide challenge for the Registered Manager. Recommendations are made where improvements to the service can be made. These are followed up to the benefit of children and young people. However, copies of these reports have not been forwarded to Ofsted since before the last inspection. As these visits have taken place there is little impact for children and young people. However, it is important that the regulatory body has the opportunity to review these reports each month.

p.10

Leadership and management

The Registered Manager undertakes reviews of the quality of care provided to children and young people every month, under Regulation 34 of the Children’s Homes Regulations. These include actions to be taken to improve the service in certain areas, but do not demonstrate consultation with children, young people, parents and placing authorities. Copies of these reports are also not submitted to Ofsted by the registered provider. As a consequence, the regulatory body is not able to monitor the homes practice in relation to this particular regulation at regular intervals.

p.11

Leadership and management

The Registered Manager lacks detailed knowledge of some changes in legislation and inspection frameworks. For example, there was a lack of awareness of the current regulation that limits the length of an individual short break placement and the maximum number of days within a 12 month period. However, the home continues to promote contact, education and the health needs of all children and young people placed or living in the home.

p.11

Leadership and management

Staff have their performance appraised each year. Staff say that they feel supported and clearly indicate that they are able to approach the Registered Manager or senior members of staff at any time. However, staff do not benefit from receiving appropriate support and advice through regular supervision. The frequency of individual meetings between supervisors and supervisees is sometimes once every two months, but occasionally falls to only four meetings per year at irregular intervals. Records of supervisions are also inconsistent. Some provide good detail of discussion and link to the development of staff, while in some cases only a record of the date of a meeting is signed.

p.11

Leadership and management

Despite this shortfall staff continue to provide a good quality of care and deliver good outcomes for children and young people.

p.11

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.12

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.

p.12