Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Unique reference number SC403850 Inspection date 21/02/2013 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a council-run, short-break service for children and young people. The home caters for up to six young people living with learning and/or physical disabilities. This includes young people with complex needs and those on the autistic spectrum.

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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

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress made since the last inspection, when the home’s overall effectiveness was judged to be good. Children's experiences and their outcomes are at the heart of this inspection.

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Progress

This inspection has identified shortfalls in relation to the use of and recording of restraint, record keeping and the safeguarding procedure. These matters do not fully protect children and results in the home receiving an inadequate progress judgement. In March 2012 a serious incident occurred in the home where a child was subject to an inappropriate restraint. This was taken through the legal process and the organisation is taking effective action against the employee involved. Ofsted are awaiting a copy of the findings, lessons learnt, and an action plan from the organisation's internal investigation.

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Progress

The quality of the recording of restraint used in the home does not always suggest that restraint has been used to prevent injury to any person, serious damage to the property of any person, and no more force than necessary has been used. This is further compromised by staff not consistently recording all restraints in the required manner. This also applies to the recording of sanctions. Children do benefit from some degree of reflection and identified action by the management team to prevent reoccurrence of such measures. However, there is limited examination of trends or issues emerging from reviewing incidents of challenging behaviour. Additionally, all staff have not received training in physical restraint techniques as agreed by the home. Staff, however, confirm this is scheduled to happen next month.

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Progress

The home has effectively addressed the two requirements and the recommendation from the full inspection in May 2012. Children now benefit from the improved quality assurance system. The service is closely monitored and practice evaluated in accordance with regulations. The home regularly sends monitoring reports to Ofsted, which provide a good overview of the service. Care planning is now more focused as the results of all reviews are recorded, enabling staff to analyse each child's progress. Care plans are subsequently updated and new targets set.

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Progress

Children are relaxed and comfortable at the home, they describe it as ‘Very good'. Staff interactions with children are generally of a high quality, caring and child-led, promoting choice and independence. Children engage in a range of activities which they enjoy. They are being given the opportunity to further develop their skills and pursue their interests. They amuse themselves with the wide selection of toys, games and books. Children highlight that they particularly enjoy using the computer and the soft play room. Staff lead on internal activities, for example cooking and art and craft sessions. The latter give children a chance to express their creativity and contribute to displays in the main lounge. Children are currently working on a springtime and Easter display. Recent art work has revolved around Christmas, the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. Children also enjoy activities in their local

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Progress

community, such as going to the cinema, the shopping centre and visiting local attractions.

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Progress

Children are able to share their views and are sensitively assisted to express their feelings, for example regarding bereavement and loss. Staff regularly consult with children and collate their achievements and positive outcomes. This provides a sound evaluation of how the short breaks service enhances children's lives. Staff state that they are constantly looking to improve the quality of the children's stays. Care planning has improved and case files detail individualised risk assessments, behavioural management plans and specific bedtime routines. Children state that they 'Feel safe'. They have their own information board which displays pictorial procedures. These outline how they can complain, what to do if they feel upset or unsafe, and how they should be treated. Staff have regular supervision and confirm that they have their performance appraised. However, children do not contribute to the staff appraisals process. It is recommended this is introduced as outlined in the

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Progress

current children’s homes national minimum standards.

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Progress

Elements of the home are conducted in a manner which promotes and makes proper provision for the welfare of children. Social workers and staff provide positive feedback. Social care professionals feel the home, 'Provides a very welcoming environment for children' and all surveyed stated they would recommend the home. Staff enjoy their work and confidently highlight that they will report any concern to the manager. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and they have a flowchart which summaries the child protection procedure. This document is currently held in a file but staff state that it would be useful to have this information on display, as a visual reminder of the correct process. In respect of safeguarding staff were not fully aware of all the external agencies they could report safeguarding concerns to. In addition this information was also not detailed in the child protection procedure.

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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

17A (2001) ensure a measure of restraint is only used on a child accommodated to prevent injury to any person or serious damage to property and no more force than is necessary should be used (Regulation 17A) 01/04/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline is recorded as detailed in The Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 as amended (Regulation 17B (3) & (4)) 01/04/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all staff receive appropriate training, including training in the use of physical restraint techniques agreed by the home (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 01/04/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) update and implement the written policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated from abuse or neglect in accordance with The Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 as amended. (Regulation 16 (1-3)) 01/04/2013

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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

 regularly review incidents of challenging behaviour and examine trends or issues emerging from this to enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice (NMS 3.21)  forward an action plan that will ensure children’s safety and welfare is promoted in the home (NMS 4.1)  take into account any views of children the service is providing for in the formal staff appraisal process. (NMS 19.6)

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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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