Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC032167 Inspection date 29/08/2013 Inspector Lynne Busby Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/02/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children’s home provides up to 10 short-break placements for children who have physical and/or learning disabilities.

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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

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be adequate .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are well cared for by staff who are committed and experienced. Young people feel safe and are safe. Staff talk to young people using their preferred method of communication so they can gain their views, including any concerns. Parents and social workers express satisfaction about the home's ability to provide a nurturing environment where young people can make progress, such as gaining independence skills or reducing their challenging behaviour.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people have a plan which is individualised and includes day- and night-time routines. Although staff are aware of any changes to the plans, this is not always reflected in the records. Therefore, this does not ensure a consistent approach is taken.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people enjoy a range of activities at the home which provides them with opportunities to have different experiences. This promotes their self-confidence and helps them to learn in social settings, for example when going out for meals.

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Overall effectiveness

The leadership and management team at the home is strong and they are aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. Plans are in place to secure improvements. The home is being restructured as part of the local authority’s redevelopment and this is an anxious time for staff. However, staff are continuing to offer a caring and stimulating environment for young people and are professional in ensuring uncertainty about the future does not impact on the young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The inspection found areas for improvement around recruitment of staff, recording of medication and keeping care plans updated.

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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

12A (2001) ensure children's placement plans are prepared in accordance with the provisions in Regulation 9 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010; in particular Schedule 2.1.(1) of that Regulation (Regulation 12A (1)) 30/11/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure full and satisfactory information is available in relation to a person working at a children’s home in respect of each of the matters specified in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26 (3)(d) and Schedule 2) 30/11/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure suitable arrangements for safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children's home. (Regulation 21(1)) 30/11/2013

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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 all people working in or for the children's home are interviewed as part of the selection process and have references checked to assess suitability before taking on responsibilities. Telephone enquiries are made as well as obtaining written references (NMS 16.1)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are well cared for by staff who have a good understanding of individual needs and provide a nurturing environment. As a result young people enjoy their visits, grow in confidence and make good progress. Staff work hard to match young people when planning their short-breaks. This also includes friendship groups and those who are at the same school. This positive planning allows young people to maintain friends and enjoy each other's company. Parents say that 'they run in the door and don’t bother to say goodbye'. This demonstrates young people are confident and happy to stay at the home. Young people's health needs are well addressed. Staff are trained to meet specific health needs and are clear about their responsibilities. Health professionals say that 'partnership working is very good' and staff are receptive to input that is given to improve young people's individual care. This promotes the health of young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from meals which are nutritious and well prepared, Young people can make choices and contribute to the menus. Meal times are social occasions and staff use this time to talk to young people about day-to-day decisions in a way that promotes their independence. Young people are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles and have a variety of ways of exercising, such as trampolining, playing football, riding bikes in the garden and attending a sports club.

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Outcomes for children and young people

There are good links with the local schools that young people attend. Staff attend school review meetings and share practice. This supports a consistent approach to the young people's education and care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Where possible, young people are encouraged to develop skills which prepare them for the transition to adulthood. One parent said 'I was amazed at the improvements in what (name) can do for themselves in such short space of time'. This includes making their bed and personal care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Parents say they are welcomed into the home and the staff keep them informed of any concerns they have and anything the young people have achieved. Parents can telephone during their child's stay.

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Quality of care

Young people have access to a range of activities both on and off site. These include visits to the local youth club, nature reserve, strawberry picking and playing pool. Activities allow young people to expand their horizons, gain confidence and develop new skills. Staff know young people's likes and dislikes. Young people are able to make choices about activities, and the activities themselves can be individualised, so young people experience an enjoyable stay.

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Quality of care

Responsibility for the health care needs of the children remain with their parents. However, staff work in partnership with parents to ensure all health-related needs are appropriately met. Medications are stored securely but there were some discrepancies in the recording and, although these discrepancies were easily resolved, it does not provide a fully accountable system.

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Quality of care

Young people's individual needs are identified in care plans and include detailed information about cultural background and personal identity. Plans have measurable outcomes which are realistic and achievable. The key workers ensure the requirements of the plan are implemented. However, one care plan was not up-to- date. This has the potential to undermine the consistency of care for young people. Young people have varying needs, some of which are complex. Staff have built positive relationships with the young people and are aware of their individual communication styles. Staff are observant and interpret non-verbal signals which young people use to communicate. Staff will advocate for them if they are unhappy and wish to make a complaint. Young people benefit from attending a meeting which allows them an opportunity to give their views about the day-to-day running of the home. Therefore, young people are listened to and any concerns are acted upon.

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Quality of care

The home is adequately maintained but, because of the lay-out, it has an institutional feel. This is despite the staff's best efforts to make it as homely as possible. There is an improvement plan in place to redecorate the building. Young people have their own rooms which affords privacy. The home has been adapted and has wheelchair access and mobility aids. There is sensory room which gives young people an opportunity to relax. There is also large garden with a variety of outside play equipment which young people can use.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people's safety and welfare is secured because staff are trained and, competent and understand the specific needs of the young people in their care. Young people say they feel safe. Any risks to young people are assessed and plans put in place to ensure these are addressed.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people have complex needs. They never go missing because of good supervision. However staff are aware of the protocols in place should this occur. Young people say there is no bullying but staff are aware of, and understand, young people's behaviours; they know when those behaviours are likely to escalate and impact on other young people. Staff ensure that they use their skills to intervene and redirect young people. The use of restraint is minimal and is only used as a last resort to protect young people. Alternative strategies to sanctions are used to promote positive behaviours. Parents says the staff are 'absolutely fabulous and they offer continuity with routines and in managing behaviours'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The central human resources department hold all recruitment records. All staff employed possess appropriate disclosures from the disclosure and barring service. New job applicants are routinely asked to clarify their full employment history. However, some records lack clarity. In some cases the reason for a previous period of employment, one involving working with children or vulnerable adults, coming to an end was not verified. It is also not unclear whether telephone enquiries are always made in relation to written references. This lack of rigour could potentially put children at risk from unsuitable people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people stay in an environment in which regular maintenance and health and safety checks are undertaken. Fire risk assessments, and fire safety procedures, are appropriately monitored and individualised evacuation plans are in place. Therefore, young people are safeguarded during their stay in the home.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

Young people live in a home that is well managed. The Registered Manager is qualified and experienced and provides good support to the staff team. The manager is clear about the home’s strengths and weaknesses and is supporting the staff through the possible changes proposed by the local authority. It is a credit to the staff that their professionalism has not allowed their uncertainty about the possible changes to impact on the care of the young people.

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Leadership and management

There is a clear Statement of Purpose which is regularly reviewed to reflect the changes in the service. This is available to all interested parties. Parents are clear about what the service offers and speak highly of the care the staff provide. One parent said 'nothing is a problem for staff, they are patient and know the children well'.

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Leadership and management

Staffing levels are sufficient to meet the needs of the young people. Staff are committed and enthusiastic and have a positive approach to improving outcomes for all young people. Staff are well supported in their roles through regular supervision, annual appraisals, team meetings and training. This ensures that they have opportunities to discuss practice issues and extend their knowledge base. Consequently, young people are cared for by staff who have a sound awareness and understanding of their individual needs.

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Leadership and management

There is a clear quality assurance system in place which includes monitoring visits from an external person. The manager also completes a monthly monitoring report. That includes consultation with young people and parents whose views are included in the report. A questionnaire for social workers is being developed to seek their views about ways of improving the service. The action and recommendation from the last inspection, regarding forwarding Regulation 33 and 34 reports to HMCI, have been completed within the timescales.

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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 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.

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