Coniston House

Unique reference number SC379123 Inspection date 20/12/2012 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 25/01/2012 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

The home offers placements for up to five young people who may have a combination of mental health, psychological, emotional or complex care needs that present challenging behaviour. The service is designed to offer medium to long-term care placements.

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

Young people progress well at this home as they receive personalised and well planned care, which promotes good behaviour, health, education, social and safeguarding needs. Young people and staff were very complimentary about the standards of care in the home. Young people share their views and shape the home to reflect their individuality through consultation. Young people say they feel safe and secure in the home. They develop a better understanding of how to keep themselves safe and improve behaviour. As a result the safety and welfare needs of young people have improved.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people’s meaningful and trusting relationship with staff is a key strength of the home. The home provides an environment where young people are encouraged to express their individuality. The opportunities provided by staff, allow young people to recognise their own identity; this means young people can grow with confidence and self-esteem. Leaders and managers understand the strengths and areas for development of the home and have plans in place.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

There are two statutory requirements set as a result of this inspection. The Statement of Purpose does not have an up-to-date staffing list and not all staff have undertaken a fire drill during the night. This does not significantly impact on the safety of young people, as staff have received daytime evacuations and know what to do in the event of a fire.

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

(2001) produce a Statement of Purpose in line with Schedule 1 (Regulation 4 & Schedule 1)) 31/01/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home and the children accommodated there, are aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of a fire. (Regulation 32 (1) (e)) 31/01/2013

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are making good progress in the home with individualised and consistent support and care from the staff team. As a result, they are forming and sustaining positive attachments with staff and make good progress in developing emotional resilience. Young people enjoy healthy lifestyles by engaging in activities, such as walking, going to the gym and day trips out. As a result, young people engage in positive social interaction with both peers and staff in the local community, which increases their self-confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's health care is maintained to a good standard as they have access to a local doctor, dentist and optician. Appropriate consents are in place for medical matters. Specific and specialist health provision is provided by professionals external to the home and staff support young people to engage positively with them. Young people's individuality is recognised, valued and promoted through clear and comprehensive placement plans, completed by the home.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported to establish and maintain constructive contact with families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives. This is sensitively managed and in line with young people’s individual placement plans. Young people learn practical skills, such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting and laundry. As a result, young people receive support to help them prepare for independence and adulthood. Most young people are achieving good educational outcomes based on their starting points. Where young people no longer receive compulsory full time education, staff are proactive in seeking further education or training placements. As a result, young people are supported to reach their potential and improve their life chances.

p.4

Quality of care

Young people have good relationships with staff. They are relaxed and engage in conversation with staff about life in the home, school, friends, family and activities. The home has a robust complaints procedure and young people confirmed that they understand how to raise a concern. One young person said, 'I have not needed to complain the staff sort out any issues I have.’

p.5

Quality of care

Young people’s physical and emotional health is promoted and monitored. Clear assessment of health and emotional needs are identified and staff liaise well with appropriate health and advice agencies. There are effective procedures for the safe administration of medication. Young people are encouraged to understand and take responsibility for their own health needs. Healthy eating and regular exercise are promoted. Staff and young people are involved in planning well-balanced menus which take into account personal preferences and cultural needs. Young people are encouraged to engage in new activities, which promote their social interactions and confidence.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people make significant contributions towards decisions made about their own care. Staff have a good understanding about the individual needs of the young people. Care plans are detailed, up to date and reviewed regularly. Staff consider equality and diversity and this is demonstrated in the culture of the home. Young people are treated equally and fairly irrespective of their religion, race, sexual orientation and religious belief. The opportunities provided by staff, allow young people to recognise their own identity, this means young people can grow with confidence and self-esteem.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to attend their education or training placements and staff provide practical assistance to support this. Education achievements are celebrated and discussed in placement plan sessions. Staff work with identified education provisions to determine acceptable behaviour strategies for use at home and school. Consequently, young people benefit from a consistent approach to their education.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people live in a well maintained home, designed to meet their needs. They enjoy the privacy of their own rooms and express their individuality with personal items. Young people have space to be on their own and receive visitors in private.

p.5

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people say that they feel safe and secure in the home. They also feel that the staff make sure that they understand all potential risks and can appreciate the steps taken to promote their safety. Staff have access to clear information, support, guidance and advice about child protection and safeguarding requirements. Staff understand their responsibility to protect young people and are able to demonstrate what actions they would take to keep young people safe. Staff are confident about their roles and responsibilities in all areas. This ensures that young people are safe and are cared for in line with their placement plan.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff implement a positive behaviour management strategy based on establishing sound relationships with young people, in a framework of safe and consistent boundaries. There has been a reduction in incidences of physical intervention since the previous inspection. Positive behaviour reward systems recognise good behaviour and achievements of young people. Consequences are implemented for negative behaviour, for example, with a loss of an activity. Consequences are reviewed with young people to ensure they are relevant and effective. As a result, young people learn the consequences of their actions, develop self-control and manage their own behaviour better. One young person said, 'Since I have been here I am not getting into trouble any more.’

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from comprehensive risk management plans, that identify the presenting risks and how best to manage them. Young people are fully involved in their risk management and take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. There is a robust protocol for young people missing from care and staff are aware of factors that can trigger absences from the home and have implemented strategies to ensure young people are kept safe. As a result, there have been fewer incidents of young people missing from the home.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Recruitment procedures are robust and all new staff undergo thorough checks in line with relevant legislation.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Regular fire safety checks, general checks and maintenance arrangements ensure the home is physically safe and is kept safe. All staff have received fire safety training to enable them to minimise the risks to young people in the event of a fire at the home. All staff and young people have been involved in fire drills. However, not all staff have received a night time drill. This does not significantly impact on the safety of young people, as staff have received daytime evacuations and know what to do in the event of a fire.

p.6

Leadership and management

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

p.6

Leadership and management

The home is led by a committed and enthusiastic Registered Manager. Two recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed. Each young person's placement plan is now fully implemented by their individual key-worker and regulation 34 reports have been forwarded to Ofsted.

p.6

Leadership and management

Staff are well supported and have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. The staff team have experience in working with young people. They have the knowledge and skills required to care for young people successfully and participate regularly in a range of training opportunities. Daily staffing arrangements are closely monitored by the manager, to help ensure that young people receive the care and support they need. Through regular one-to-one supervision staff are held accountable for their performance and their individual development needs are identified. Staff say they work very well as a team. Regular opportunities to meet as a team, mean they are able to consider young people's progress and modify any plans to ensure they remain current.

p.7

Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose is well written and provides a clear picture of the home's aims and objectives. This means placing authorities and parents are well aware of the care and support young people can expect to receive. However, this did not include an up-to-date staffing list as required by regulation. The children's guide, which is given to all young people clearly shows what the service can offer them while in placement.

p.7

Leadership and management

The home is monitored through management checks and audits by an external representative of the provider. Monitoring visits occur monthly as required under the regulations and there are systems in place to identify and address any shortfalls. This enables the management to be reflective of practice and continually evaluate the service provided. The Registered Manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the setting and the areas for further development. Young people's case files include all the required information and are stored securely to protect their privacy.

p.7

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.8

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 and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

p.8