Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC400880 Inspection date 11/09/2013 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 21/03/2013 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

This is a private children's home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning 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 adequate .

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from a committed and enthusiastic manager and staff team, who provide a nurturing environment in which to live. Young people make good progress across all aspects of their welfare and development. Young people are settled in their placements; they are building trusting relationships with staff and, as a result, feel they are well cared for and safe in and around the home. Young people develop strong community links in the local area, while maintaining a clear attachment to their own family and community.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Positive outcomes are strongly promoted by a well-trained and dedicated staff team. The manager has a clear understanding of the strengths and weakness in the home and has development plans in place. Shortfalls are identified at this inspection with regard to; consultation with parents, the recording of restraints, monetary sanctions being appropriately imposed, the implementation of electronic surveillance policy, supervision records and ensuring the relevant health and safety certificates are obtained. Requirements and recommendations are therefore set to enable the provider to improve practice in these areas.

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.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Registered person provides a copy of the Statement of Purpose to the HMCI (Regulation 4 (2)) 18/10/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is not an imposition of any financial penalty, other than payment of a reasonable sum by way of reparation (Regulation 17 (3)(g)) 18/10/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, a written record is made including the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3)(f)) 18/10/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) Ensure that all parts of the home, to which children have access are free from hazards to their safety. This is in relation to gas safety (Regulation 23(a)) 20/09/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that Regulation 33 reports reflect that the visitor interviews, with their consent and in private, children accommodated, their parents (where appropriate)and relatives as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home (Regulation 33 (4)(a)) 18/10/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Registered person supplies to the HMCI a report in respect of any review of the quality of care, as set out in schedule 6. (Regulation 34 (2)) 18/10/2013

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure that restraint is not used as a punishment, nor to force compliance with instruction where significant harm or serious damage to property are not otherwise likely (NMS 3.14)  implement a written policy regarding electronic devices used to monitor children that sets out how they should be used, how they promote the welfare of children, how children will be informed of their use, how legitimate privacy of children will be protected and how children will be protected from potential abuse of such measures (NMS 10.5)  ensure a written record is kept by the home detailing the time, date and length of each supervision. (NMS 19.5)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people experience stable placements and make significant progress in many areas, including their social presentation, self-esteem and taking responsibility for their behaviour. As a result they develop and mature. Young people are extremely confident in their placements and settled. One young person commented, ‘I really like it here, I want to stay forever’.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's attendance and participation in education are good. Staff are sensitive to the difficulties some young people face in the classroom setting. The manager and staff team work closely with education providers to ensure academic achievement is secured for all young people. For example, through supporting a programme of home tuition, provided by the placing education authority one young person has re-engaged in education and making significant progress.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community in a variety of ways. They make choices about all aspects of their lives, such as what they want to do, what they want to eat and what clothes they want to buy. They take part in a wide variety of activities such as using local cinemas, going on holiday, join local football teams and using local parks and leisure facilities. This enables them to feel an important part of the community, access new and different experiences, develop their skills, and boost their self-esteem and confidence.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to lead a healthy life style, they are supported to choose healthy food options and to take part in physical activities. Personal care is promoted and contributes to young people gaining practical and life skills that enhance independence. Independence programmes are tailored to the specific needs of individual young people and are realistic. One young person has started to travel independently; this is significant progress, given their starting point. These skills enable them to be prepared and ready for adulthood.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from regular and appropriate contact with their families and friends. This is enabling them to maintain and develop relationships with the people who are important in their lives. This is helped by staff providing a welcoming atmosphere within the home and encouraging young people to bring their friends or family to the home.

p.5

Quality of care

Positive and constructive relationships are developed between young people and staff. A consistent, nurturing and warm staff team cares for them. They implement clear structures and firm boundaries to encourage young people to achieve their full potential. As a result, young people know they are valued as individuals and say, ‘the staff are the best thing about being here, they look after us all’.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people have a good understanding of the complaints procedure. However, since the last inspection there have been no complaints received. Young people can and do access children’s rights officers, who are able to offer independent advice and advocate for them. Individual placement plans are sufficiently detailed and include individual needs relating to young people’s personal identity. Detailed care planning and proactive relationships with partner agencies contribute to the quality of care received by young people. One professional commented ‘the staff team have a strong multi-agency approach; this ensures that the young people’s needs are reviewed and addressed.’

p.5

Quality of care

Young people receive good support to promote their healthy development. There are no current issues with drugs and alcohol misuse, all of which is pro-actively discouraged. Young people live in a healthy environment that actively promotes their physical health and emotional well-being. They attend all routine health checks. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s specific health needs and have received relevant training to ensure young people’s needs are met. One parent commented ‘the manager made sure that all the staff can manage my son’s health needs, all the staff went on training to make sure they could give him an injection if he needed it. I really appreciated that’.

p.6

Quality of care

The arrangements for the handling and recording of medication are safe and effective, which means that young people receive their medication in line with their prescription. All medication is checked daily ensuring accountability.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people benefit from a home that is clean and well maintained. Communal areas continue to be well used and are respected by young people. They are encouraged to personalise their individual bedrooms.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people report that they feel safe and can talk to an adult when they are concerned. Staff are well trained in safeguarding and the home has extensive policies and procedures in place, which underpin effective practice. However, no policy is available regarding the use of door alarms in the home. Despite this, young people and staff have a clear understanding of why and how they are used in the home.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

All staff are selected and checked through the organisation's robust recruitment procedures. The manager takes an active role in recruitment, ensuring the safe recruitment of staff who are able to meet the young people’s needs.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are encouraged to behave positively. When they do engage in negative behaviour, sanctions are imposed and they are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour. However, the manager does not routinely comment on the effectiveness of the sanctions, in order to evaluate if the consequence remains appropriate. Some financial sanctions are imposed that are not solely used for reparation. A requirement has been raised to address this. Staff are trained in behaviour management and physical restraint techniques and they consistently apply these in practice. As a result, physical restraint is rarely used. However, on one occasion when physical restraint was used, the recording of the incident indicated that it was used to enforce compliance. Young people know what to do in the case of an emergency and can exit the home safely. Staff implement a range of risk assessments to identify and minimise hazards.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

The home is physically safe and appropriately secure. Staff pay good attention to health and safety management. However, the gas safety certificate had expired and a new one could not be issued until a new meter was installed to the property. The manager and owner were in the process of taking the necessary steps to meet the criteria for a new certificate to be issued. Appropriate risk assessments were in place to ensure the safety of young people during this period.

p.7

Leadership and management

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

p.7

Leadership and management

An experienced Registered Manager manages the home. The staff team is well- balanced in terms of age and experience. The home is adequately resourced to meet the needs of the young people. Staffing levels are adequate. Any shortfalls in the rota are covered by the staff team and by a casual staff member. This ensures consistent staff support to young people in the home.

p.7

Leadership and management

The staff team report that they enjoy working at the home and they are well supported and receive regular training. A minor shortfall was identified, in that the supervision records do not detail the time, length and date of individual supervision sessions.

p.7

Leadership and management

A suitable Statement of Purpose outlines the aims and objectives of the service. The home operates in line with the statement and the principles in it are understood by interested parties, including young people. However, the revised and updated document has not been received by Ofsted. The manager took steps to rectify this at inspection.

p.7

Leadership and management

Regular monitoring reviews the quality of care. Young people, parents and placing authorities’ views are sought as part of monitoring process. However, these reports are not received by HMCI. This has no current impact on young people. The home has a development plan in place, which identifies areas for improvement.

p.7

Leadership and management

Since the last inspection the manager has fully addressed one of the previous requirements. The manager, when required, makes referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This means that when necessary decisions regarding continuing suitability to work with children have been made in conjunction with LADO.

p.7

Leadership and management

Regulation 33 visits continue to be undertaken by the provider, giving an adequate overview of the home. The report does now indicate when young people and staff are given the opportunity to meet with the visitor in private. However, parents have not yet been consulted as part of this process. This is a missed opportunity to gather views and drive forward the quality of care; as a result the requirement is re-stated. Records are well maintained in the home and stored appropriately. This ensures the young person’s needs are clearly identified and being addressed. Records contribute to an understanding of young people's lives and show the progress made by the young people. Notifications are well managed and appropriate parties are notified of significant events.

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.9

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.9