Children's Home run by Fairfield Residential Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC397987 Inspection date 26/02/2013 Inspector Sharon Lloyd Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide accommodation for up to two children with learning difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in December 2012, the overall effectiveness of this home was judged to be good. Since that time, the home has made inadequate progress. This is because it has failed to fully address one of the three requirements and all five recommendations made following the full inspection. The day-to-day care of young people continues to be good. Three requirements and five recommendations are made.

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Progress

The manager monitors the operation of the home and has supplied two recent reports to HMCI. The reports do not show an evaluation of how the quality of care has improved. Nor do they demonstrate that patterns or trends are evaluated, so the opportunity to learn lessons and to drive improvement is missed. There is no written development plan that relates specifically to the home. This means the manager cannot demonstrate how the home intends to review and improve the quality of care to young people.

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Progress

There has been some improvement in the processes for checking the suitability of prospective staff members. The manager verifies references by telephone. However, the content of the phone calls is not recorded in writing so the home cannot demonstrate that verification of references is robust or that it informs decision making about an applicant’s suitability. This means that recruitment practices are not sufficiently robust to ensure only the most suitable people are employed. Not all staff have completed training in the use of restraint and some have not had refresher training in line with the organisation’s policy. Although restraint is not currently used in the home, young people remain vulnerable to the possibility of being injured during a restraint, should it be necessary.

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Progress

Some redecoration and repair of damage caused by young people has led to an improved physical environment. Young people live in accommodation that is adequate, but some shortfalls undermine the homeliness, structural repair and comfort of the home. For example, a damaged bathroom tile and loose radiator cover in the lounge pose a threat to young people’s physical safety. The arrangements for the disposal of sanitary waste are unsatisfactory and pose a health and safety risk to young people and staff. The children’s guide is not specific to this home. It is not published in a format that meets the needs and understanding of the children who live at the home. Nor does it contain details of the name and role of young people’s independent reviewing officers. This means that young people do not have access to a guide that provides information about the home and its complaints process, that they can understand.

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Progress

The home works closely with families and other professionals, including schools. This ensures young people’s holistic needs are considered and promoted. For example, one young person’s personal hygiene has improved through professionals working co-operatively. However, some aspects of young people’s development are not actively promoted and the home reports that schools and families are sometimes reluctant to engage. The impact of this is that young people remain highly dependent on carers for personal care and this impedes their personal development as they approach adulthood.

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Progress

With staff support, young people overcome some of the difficulties and challenges they face in life. For example, in recent months, young people have increased their communication strategies by developing some speech and have become less reliant on others when in the community. There has been some good progress in the way young people deal with transitions. This has reduced their anxieties and promoted improved emotional stability. Families comment on the excellent care that staff provide to young people and recognise their dedication and skills: ‘The girls do a brilliant job. I couldn’t ask for better care’.

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Progress

The home effectively and regularly consults with children and families and obtains their views. These inform the day to day delivery of care to young people. The home is particularly good at ascertaining the views and wishes of young people who have communication difficulties. Families confirm that young people are happy living at the home and that staff respond very well to their non-verbal cues. Families report that staff consult with them frequently about the operation of the home. They are completely satisfied with the care provided to young people, which they describe as ‘excellent’. The manager ensures that the home works in partnership with parents and other professionals and that their views are reflected in the operation of the home and the care and management of young people.

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Progress

Contact with families is well established and has increased for one young person whose behaviour is less challenging than in the past. This means that young people are well embedded in their families and have a good sense of belonging and identity. Health assessments conducted by the school nurse are up to date and are now held on young people’s files so that staff have access to up-to-date health information for all young people. This enables them to promote young people’s good health and address any concerns.

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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) supply to HMCI a report in respect of any review conducted by him for the purposes of paragraph (1). This is with regard to submitting regulation 34 reports at regular intervals (Regulation 34(2)) 31/05/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. In particular, ensure that staff are appropriately trained to restrain children safely (Regulation 27 (4)(a)) 31/05/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) produce the children's guide in a form appropriate to the age, understanding and communication needs of the children accommodated in the home. Supply a copy of the children's guide to HMCI and, on admission, to each child accommodated in the home. (Regulation 4 (4)(5)) 31/05/2013

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment which is well maintained and decorated. Remove avoidable hazards, in particular, by ensuring the safe, prompt and hygienic disposal of sanitary waste (NMS 10.3)  ensure the children's guide includes information about how a child can contact their independent reviewing officer (NMS 13.5)  ensure that the registered person has a written development plan, which is reviewed annually and relates specifically to the home (NMS 15.2)  ensure that records of recruitment and vetting checks demonstrate that as part of the selection process, all persons working in or for the children's home have references checked to assess suitability before taking on responsibilities. In particular, ensure records demonstrate that telephone enquiries are made as well as obtaining written references (NMS 16.1)  support young people to develop practical skills in personal self-care. (NMS 12.1

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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.

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