Children's Home run by Castle Homes Limited in Bromley

Unique reference number SC419334 Inspection date 16/10/2012 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/12/2011 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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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home has a registered school on site which is available to children and young people not attending an external school or alternative education provision.

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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

This home provides children and young people who have known disruption and change to experience a period of stability and continuity. Children and young people make genuine progress through the care they receive from staff who get to know them extremely well.

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Overall effectiveness

Without exception, children and young people are positive about the quality of care they receive and their relationships with staff. Children and young people feel safe and are safe.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager effectively monitors the quality of care with a constant focus on improving the service for children and young people. Recent improvements encourage children and young people to identify the progress they make over time. Alterations are also being made to the efficiency with which staff identify changes in behaviour of children and young people and make amendments to individual care plans.

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Overall effectiveness

Although one breach of regulation is identified this has limited direct impact upon children and young people. The shortfall relates to recording of restraints. Relevant information is completed but is not stored in one place. This results in an opportunity to alter records and makes monitoring more difficult.

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Overall effectiveness

Two recommendations are made to improve practice regarding the maintenance of records relating to staff recruitment and the completion of core training.

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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

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 of which shall include all matters listed in these regulations. (Regulation 17B (3) and (4)) 30/11/2012

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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 the children's home has a record of recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working (including as volunteers) for the children's home which includes all matters listed in this national minimum standard (NMS 16.3)  ensure that training keeps staff up-to-date with professional, legal and practice developments and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the home. (NMS 18.1)

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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

Children and young people recognise the change and progress they make through staying at this home. Children and young people say that they now feel settled after experiencing changes in placements prior to living here. In particular, they identify that they now attend school consistently and express pride at what they achieve. Accomplishments go beyond education. Children and young people demonstrate prowess in sport and show commitment to attending uniformed organisations. Achievements are recognised and celebrated by staff which helps to boost the confidence and self-esteem of children and young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people are free to contribute their ideas to the running of the home at any time. However, this is done more formally through residents' meetings which are held at least once a week. At times children and young people lead these meetings, which gives them the opportunity to learn new skills and take responsibility. All children and young people are given the opportunity to have their say.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Ideas of social responsibility are promoted within the home. Children and young people regularly involve themselves in local and national charitable events. Children and young people expand their knowledge of other countries and cultures through sponsoring the education of a child in another continent. The money for this comes out of the budget which is provided for their own care. Children and young people advocated strongly for the sponsorship to continue when the parent organisation recently suggested that this might stop.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Although there is an on-site school, all children and young people currently living in the home attend external schools. Managers and staff work proactively to support these school placements. Equally, they advocate on behalf of children and young people to ensure they are in the correct placement to meet their particular educational needs. Some children and young people play active roles in their respective school councils. They take their responsibilities seriously and help to promote improvements that benefit other students.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Through the identification of appropriate education provision, education outcomes for children and young people have improved. Predicted GCSE grades for one young person have improved over the last academic term and now favourably reflect national targets. School reports for others also highlight progress in terms of effort and attainment. Children and young people who previously struggled to attend now achieve almost full attendance, only missing school for illness or appointments. On rare occasions when children or young people refuse to attend school, the parent organisation provides teachers at short notice. This ensures that education is provided in the on-site school facility and the importance of education is emphasised.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Unhealthy life choices of children and young people are challenged sensitively, but directly. Smoking cessation programmes have not been completely successful as some young people do still smoke. However, they have been supported to understand the risks they take through appropriate health education and indicate their intention to give up.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff work together with placing authorities to ensure children and young people have regular contact with family members when this is appropriate. Staff support children and young people during contact meetings to make them as beneficial as possible. Staff show genuine awareness and sensitivity in engaging with families from different cultures. For example, staff from a traveller background explained that their knowledge of the culture has enabled them to build strong relationships and engage with particular families. This has ensured that certain rites of passage are respected and adhered to.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff encourage all children and young people to develop skills that will help them become independent. For example, aptitudes for cooking or baking are nurtured. The positive results enhance the confidence of children and young people. Former residents highlight the benefits and importance of a more formal programme of preparation for independence. One said, ‘when I moved into the home I didn't know how to cook, budget, clean or keep myself safe – the staff really helped me’. Former residents have the option to stay in touch with staff and many do. They are reassured by knowing that support or advice is available to them and say, ‘they’re never getting rid of me’.

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Quality of care

Children and young people are extremely positive about this home. They describe it as ‘great’. Those who have lived in other placements compare the home favourably saying, ‘this is one is better.' All children and young people speak positively about the staff saying that they are fair and ‘they look after you really well.' Children and young people demonstrate genuine affection towards staff who get to know them extremely well as individuals. Consequently staff respond to children and young people in ways that meet their specific needs.

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Quality of care

Children and young people are aware of the plans that affect them. They contribute to meetings about themselves with the support of staff. Each child or young person has an individual care plan that links directly to the placement plan produced by their placing authority. Leaders and mangers are currently introducing improvements to the ways care plans are updated. Changes in behaviours or specific events are now tracked to highlight when modifications are needed to individual plans. As a result, plans for children and young people are always current. However, more time is needed to embed this change in practice fully.

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Quality of care

Open communication exists. Children and young people are confident that their views are listened to and count. For example, children and young people are directly involved in the recruitment of new staff. Relationships with individual key workers are important and valued by children and young people, but relationships with all staff are positive. The Registered Manager also meets regularly with children and young people to hear their views and address any problems or difficulties that may arise. Children and young people are fully aware that they have access to an advocate who can support them to express their views on any matter. Although children and young people know how to complain, complaints are rare. When they do arise they are dealt with promptly and effectively in line with a clear policy.

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Quality of care

Children and young people exercise choice and take part in a wide range of activities both within the home and in the wider community. This helps them to have new experiences and develop new skills. Some children and young people have their own pets and demonstrate responsibility and commitment in caring for them.

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Quality of care

Children and young people have their individual health needs addressed. Exercise and activity is encouraged to promote healthy lifestyles. All children and young people are registered with local health professionals. When necessary, additional counselling or therapeutic support is accessed to meet individual and specific needs. Children and young people benefit from positive relationships that managers and staff have with placing authorities, schools and other agencies that support children and young people. Staff communicate effectively with parents to properly identify and respect their religious beliefs. This ensures that assumptions about religious denominations are not made. Consequently, children and young people attend appropriate places of worship.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Children and young people clearly say that they feel safe. Without exception children and young people are able to identify several members of staff they can talk to about things that may be concerning them.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Clear policies and procedures exist to tackle bullying of any kind. Information leaflets are displayed in locations where children and young people are able to read them privately. Children and young people are able to report any concerns to a nominated member of staff who takes lead responsibility in ensuring a prompt and effective response. As a result, children and young people report that bullying is not an issue in the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

In recent months managers and staff have worked positively to significantly reduce the frequency with which children and young people go missing from the home. This has helped to promote the safety of children and young people. Only three incidents have occurred within the past five months, compared with 18 incidents during a two month period earlier this year. Staff consistently stay in contact with children and young people and are proactive in trying to find them and return them to the safety of the home. A close and active working relationship with local police has been established. Parents and placing authorities are kept informed during any period when a child or young person is missing.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Positive behaviour is promoted in a variety of ways. Children and young people are involved in setting their own individual targets. However, these do not directly link to a formal rewards system. Instead, staff provide instant praise and recognition for anything done well. This results in the child or young person receiving a personalised reward or having their achievement acknowledged through a certificate.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Sanctions are imposed to address poor behaviour. Children and young people describe these as fair. Records show that restraint is used infrequently. This is confirmed by children and young people. One said, ‘I have never been restrained and never seen anyone being restrained.' However, when restraints do occur records do not fully meet the Children’s Homes Regulations. The current restraint log does not include all required elements in one place. It is recognised that the impact of this shortfall is minimised as required elements are recorded in different places. A requirement is made to improve consistency of practice in this regard. This will ensure that records cannot be tampered with and monitoring can be undertaken more effectively.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home follows sound recruitment processes and practices set out in policies prepared by the parent organisation. This supports the vetting of applicants to ensure that only the most suitable go on to work with children and young people. Managers draw upon the views of children and young people who interview potential candidates as part of the selection process. Checks of identity and relevant qualifications are made as part of the recruitment process. However, records of these specific checks are not always retained within the home. A recommendation is made to improve practice in this regard.

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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

Children and young people benefit from living in a home that is effectively led by an experienced and committed Registered Manager. The Registered Manager keeps up- to-date with changes in legislation and inspection frameworks and undertakes self- evaluation against these. No requirements or recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection. However, a desire to constantly improve the service for children and young people is shared by managers and staff alike.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager said, 'every new year we come up with new ideas. We always aim for improvements.’ Recent examples have included the production of a monthly newsletter which reminds children and young people about events that have happened. Staff also now write at least one positive comment or amusing anecdote for each child or young person every day. This helps children and young people to recall events and identify progress they have made over time. A weekly summary of these positives are included in memory files prepared for the children and young people. These are taken by the child or young person when they move on as a memento of their time in the home.

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Leadership and management

Children and young people helped to review the children’s guide earlier this year. The document is comprehensive and detailed and ensures that the children and young people are provided with the information they need. Similarly, the home’s Statement of Purpose has recently been reviewed and clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the service for parents and placing authorities.

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Leadership and management

Robust monitoring takes place, through statutory monthly visits and regular reviews of the quality of care. These provide the Registered Manager with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service. Clear proposals for improvement are set out in a development plan. This document is reviewed every three months to ensure issues remain relevant and pertinent for children and young people living in the home.

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Leadership and management

All staff are supported and developed through regular and effective supervision. Staff say this helps them to do their job properly. The performance of individual members of staff is reviewed through an annual appraisal. Targets are set to focus personal development and ultimately improve the service for children and young people.

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Leadership and management

All current staff have attained the qualification set out in the national minimum standards or are working towards its completion. Staff consistently say that their training needs are identified and met. A training matrix is maintained by managers, which sets out the core training undertaken by staff. However, this is not used effectively, leading to confusion about whether some core training is current. More robust systems need to be established to ensure that training and training records for all staff are kept up to date.

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Leadership and management

There is clear evidence that the home remains financially viable. It is one home within a larger group. All available placements are currently being used. There have only been brief periods since the last inspection when this has not been the case. The rota indicates that children and young people benefit from a high staff ratio. The Registered Manager is currently looking to recruit new staff, but existing staff have covered any shortfall to ensure continuity for children and young people.

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Leadership and management

Children and young people live in a home that is maintained and decorated to a very high standard. The Registered Manager also ensures that rigorous and regular health and safety checks are completed by appointed staff who are suitably trained.

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Leadership and management

The home is established in the local community and has positive relationships with neighbours. Children, young people and staff help neighbours when they can. For example, children and young people occasionally bake cakes for older people living in the care home next door.

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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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