Children's Home run by The Drive Care Homes Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC063689 Inspection date 17/04/2013 Inspector Mike Stapley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 30/01/2013 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 children’s home is privately owned and registered to provide care for up to six children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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 appear to be very settled at this home. Young people are relaxed and comfortable with the staff and their peers. The culture of this home can be described as 'one happy family'. This is because staff are reported to be good listeners, respect young people's needs, and proper space and time is given for individual young people.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people are making significant progress since their admission to the home and staff support all forms of progress for widening young people's potential. Young people are making very good use of communication systems to express their wishes and needs.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people are supported by a staff team who are familiar with their needs and vulnerability. As a result, safety is central to all aspects of care planning, shift planning and staffing arrangements.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people and staff are supported by an organisation that places a great deal of emphasis on training and development. There is a clear programme of development in place and a stable staff team who offer a high standard of care.

p.3

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's personal needs, wishes and preferences are all taken into account, including their faith, cultural needs and disabilities. Young people's care plans clearly identify these preferences and include detailed guidance for staff to follow, such as young people's dietary requirements and personal care routines. Young people are given opportunities to express their wishes and feelings through a range of different communication methods.

p.3

Outcomes for children and young people

The majority of young people at the home are non-verbal and use pictures and symbols to communicate with their peers and staff alike. Staff are proactive in responding to young people’s gestures and expressions, particularly when young people are distressed or concerned about an issue. A well-established key worker system is in place and this forms a strong basis for staff to understand how young people express themselves and how to respond.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Healthy lifestyles are promoted according to young people's ability to understand what is socially acceptable or not. For example, sexual health and matters relating to puberty are explained to young people as they begin to mature. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that specialist care needs are carried out safely and correctly. All young people are registered with primary health care professionals and outcomes of all medical treatments are well documented and monitored. Well- established procedures are in place for ensuring the safe receipt and storage of medications. Two members of staff sign the medication records which helps to ensure there are no errors when giving medication to young people. In addition all staff have received appropriate medication training from a local pharmacist.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

All young people are in full-time education and achieving 100% attendance. Young people's progress varies, but generally they are all making positive strides and doing well. Staff who work with the young people have close working relationships with their teachers and regularly attend their school meetings and education reviews. These relationships help staff gain a clear understanding of how young people are progressing and achieving their educational targets.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are given support to engage in many different community-based activities wherever possible. One young person is supported and attends a local church while another has joined a dance club. Staff use pictorial flash cards to ascertain the views of young people. In addition the home uses pictorial activity cards which help young people choose appropriate activities. The likes and dislikes of young people are appropriately recorded on young people's individual files. In addition the home has a weekly house meeting that young people are encouraged to attend to share their views and wishes. The home has appropriate transport for the young people, which ensures they are not disadvantaged in accessing community resources.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

The home is very spacious and there is a large well-equipped garden which is used a great deal particularly during the summer months. The home uses a person-centred planning model to support the young people at the home. Young people are encouraged to attend their reviews and give their views where possible, although they are not involved in the formal planning process. All young people have a key worker whose main focus is to work closely with other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for the young people. The keyworker has regular meetings with the young people they are working with and these meetings are appropriately recorded and help to plan for the young person’s future. Staff act as advocates for young people and help to prepare them for moving on. Such transitions can be can be very difficult as relationships have been formed with staff and peers alike. However staff at the home work closely with social workers and other professionals to ensure such

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

transitions are handled in a sensitive and caring manner.

p.5

Quality of care

The staff within the home have developed very positive relationships with the young people at the home. Staff are very responsive towards young people's needs and they know how and what to do in any given situation. These relationships help to alleviate unnecessary stress or anxiety for young people. Although the vast majority of young people do not communicate verbally, their abilities to contribute to the running of the house are not undermined. For example, personal care routines and menu planning take into account young people's wishes and views. Communication systems are used effectively to help young people make choices.

p.5

Quality of care

Staff listen to any issues young people may have and action is taken to address these. Parents, social workers and other significant professionals are encouraged and supported to advocate and voice any concerns on young people's behalf. Proactive measures are in place for responding to matters raised by parents.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people's care plans are comprehensive; they are tailored to young people's personal and diverse needs. These plans are reviewed periodically and are consistent with the outcomes of young people's statutory reviews. Key workers contribute to young people's care plans and reports for reviews and, where possible, young people's views are sought about their care plans. This is often done through staff responding to ways in which young people express their likes and dislikes or indicating preferred changes to their routines.

p.5

Quality of care

All young people are encouraged to visit the home with their parents or carers prior to admission. In addition social workers visit the home to ensure it can meet the needs of any individual placed. Young people admitted to the home are placed mainly on a long-term basis. However the home does offer respite care or short breaks where appropriate. A through assessment is undertaken by the home to ensure that any young person placed for respite care or short breaks is appropriately placed and will not cause any difficulties or disruption for those living at the home on a long-term basis.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people's personal space is furnished and personalised according to their needs and preferences. This includes any specialist equipment that may be needed to help support the young people.

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 are kept safe through on-going supervision of their whereabouts and a high staff ratio. Young people's vulnerability is central to all aspects of care planning, risk management and the supervision of young people for off-site activities. Social workers commented that they have a great deal of faith in the home and that the staff worked extremely hard in caring for the young people. There have not been any concerns expressed by placing social workers and the one complaint concerning a young person was managed effectively and appropriately.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are vigilant in responding to young people's gestures, expressions and behaviours. Early intervention is encouraged to understand how young people are feeling and physical restraint may be used in exceptional circumstances. A number of books and electronic records are used for recording including behaviour support plans, risk assessments, pathway plans and care plans. All records were up-to-date at the time of this inspection and records are regularly monitored by the manager of the home. In addition Regulation 33 monitoring reports are through and pick up on any outstanding matters.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

There are no reported incidents of young people being missing from care. There is a clear policy and procedure with regard to any young person missing from the home which is understood by all members of the staff spoken to during the course of the inspection. All safeguarding matters are managed promptly and efficiently and, where appropriate, external professionals and agencies are consulted. Internal systems are comprehensive and include appointments with professionals, such as the general practitioner; and a review of a young person's risk assessment. When necessary, the registered provider will review areas of practice and update procedures accordingly. This demonstrates that matters relating to young people's safety and well-being are acted upon and taken very seriously.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

The management team confirm that all staff are vetted prior to their offer of employment, including Criminal Records Bureau checks completed before they start work in the home. Recruitment is managed centrally although copies of personnel files are kept locally at each home. Currently, evidence of all recruitment checks are retained off site. However copies of such documentation are kept locally. There is a very through programme of induction and all staff have undertaken safe guarding training.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected through the implementation of a range of personalised and generic risk assessments. These assessments include young people's health needs, mobility impairment, and environmental factors such as young people's lack of knowledge around personal safety. A high percentage of young people require close supervision 24 hours a day for reasons such as epilepsy.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

There are systems in place regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the premises and the undertaking of health and safety checks. These include a robust system for communicating all works to be carried out and when these are completed. Records show that fire drills take place regularly and are appropriately recorded. Fire safety signs are clear and visible in the home and staff confirm that they have undertaken fire safety training.

p.6

Leadership and management

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

p.7

Leadership and management

The home’s Statement of Purpose is reviewed annually or when any major change takes place. It includes the staffing structure and details of the qualifications of the manager and staff. A children's guide has been developed for the home and meets the needs of the service.

p.7

Leadership and management

The home has a Registered Manager who is experienced and exceptionally well qualified. The home does not have a deputy manager but has a team leader who delegates for the manager when he is not available. One of the real strengths of the home is its induction and training programme which is extensive and shows a real commitment to staff by the registered provider and manager. The training covers such subjects as communication with children, autism as well as all the mandatory training that is required to support young people at the home. The majority of staff hold the level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma and arrangements are in place for staff who do not have such a qualification to undertake this training shortly. Staff spoke very highly of the organisation and feel they are well supported by the Registered Manager. There is regular supervision which is undertaken by the manager and team leader; in addition to group supervision which staff commented

p.7

Leadership and management

was very helpful. Regular staff meetings are seen as important and provide a focal point to discuss any issues of concern. The registered provider visits on a regular basis and supports the registered manager on a day-to-day basis.

p.7

Leadership and management

Young people's care is monitored by internal and external audits and reports of these audits are consistent. In addition to the monthly Regulation 33 reports the registered provider undertakes a six monthly report in line with the regulations. The home has a development plan that includes the strengths and weakness of the service and shows how any developments are to be carried out.

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 the inspection of children's homes.

p.8