Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

Unique reference number SC039056 Inspection date 09/10/2013 Inspector Catherine Honey Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 25/02/2013 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 local authority owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children and young people. The home caters for children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, complex health needs and challenging behaviours allied to their learning difficulties.

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is registered to care for up to five children under short break arrangements and up to four children under other arrangements.

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

The home and the services it provides have a positive impact on young people’s development and help them achieve good outcomes. Each young person is valued, treated fairly and supported to develop their individual potential. All children, whether receiving short breaks or living at the home permanently, make progress across all areas of their lives. As a result, they are achieving well.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people are provided with good quality care. The staff team recognise the diverse needs and individual vulnerabilities of young people and are supporting them well. Children’s views are regularly sought and acted upon in the day-to-day running of the home. Relationships between the children and staff are strong. Young people demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the home. This is underpinned by the positive relationships they have with carers.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Families and placing authorities, who contributed to the inspection, have very positive views about the quality of care and support provided to young people. Comments include, ‘The staff are friendly and very helpful and warm’ and ‘They are extremely flexible and try as hard as possible to meet the children and young people's needs.’

p.3

Overall effectiveness

All members of staff have undertaken safeguarding training and are skilled in identifying young people’s vulnerabilities; however staff have not had the opportunity to access specialist safeguarding training for disabled children. The administration of prescribed medication is safe, although stock control measures in respect of homely remedies are not sufficiently robust.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

For safeguarding reasons, and to aid members of staff at night time, surveillance cameras are used in the corridors of the home. Documentation available does not indicate that there is an appropriate policy in place to ensure consistent use of cameras. An additional camera used at night time to support a young person with specific health needs is supported by a risk assessment, however records and plans do not demonstrate permission has been sought for its use or that there is an appropriate policy in place.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Levels of staffing are good although records held by the home about agency, staff who are occasionally used, do not always provide documentary evidence of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on them or their training. This compromises the otherwise comprehensive management oversight of the home. The Statement of Purpose does not describe in sufficient detail the use of cameras in the building, measures taken to counter bullying or the experience of staff. However shortfalls identified during the inspection do not negatively impact on outcomes for, or the safety of, young people.

p.4

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.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that where electronic devices for the surveillance of children are used in a children’s home for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children accommodated in the children’s home, the child’s placing authority consents to the use of the measure in question and it is provided for in the child’s placement plan (Regulation 22 (1)(a and b)) 15/11/2013

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) compile in relation to the children’s home a written statement which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1, including a description of the relevant qualifications and experience of staff working at the home, the use of electronic monitoring devices in the home and the arrangements made to counter bullying within the home. (Regulation 4 (1)) 15/11/2013

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. This is in relation to an effective stock control system for homely remedies and a record of training completed by agency staff (NMS 21.1)  ensure where electronic devices are used to monitor children, there is a written policy 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 staff are trained in appropriate safe care practice, this includes training specifically on issues affecting disabled children (NMS 4.6)  ensure the children’s home has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working for the children’s home. This specifically relates to agency staff. (NMS 16.3)

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress towards meeting the individual aims of their placement. Families and placing authorities confirm that young people have become more independent and are learning to manage their behaviour more appropriately. A parent described their child as ‘thriving’. Young people’s development targets are shared between the home, educational providers and families to ensure that there is a joined-up approach which helps young people make consistently good progress.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people experience a positive transition into the home at a pace that suits both the young person and their family. Consequently, young people settle into the routines of the home and feel confident and secure in the environment. Parents and placing social workers say that young people benefit from attending the service and can tell their children are always happy to return each time. Young people are relaxed in their relationships with staff members. Young people’s emotional resilience is supported by the staff who are vigilant and quick to respond to any signs of unhappiness, anxiety or illness on the part of young people.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people develop their independence skills for example, by managing their own mobility with the support of a wheelchair or gaining more skills in their personal care. Young people make this progress through the support of an enabling staff team who seize every opportunity for young people to become more independent.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are positively and actively involved in the local community. They benefit from the wide-ranging choice of activities on offer which allow children to build confidence and try new experiences or activities. Young people have good attendance at school and are achieving well within their own individual learning abilities. Activities delivered by the home focus on improving young people's skills, opportunities and learning. For example, some young people help with the shopping and others are learning to manage their own personal care needs. Young people also enjoy just having fun, for example by riding on go-carts in the garden or using sensory areas.

p.5

Quality of care

The home provides a mix of services for young people who live at the home on a long term basis and those who visit for short breaks. The impact of these two groups of young people living and spending time together is sensitively managed. Staff are thoughtful in the planning of stays to ensure young people with compatible needs are grouped together. As well as their bedrooms, young people who live at the home on a longer term basis have areas they can use where young people who attend for short breaks do not usually go. This means young people who regard the unit as their home have a chance to build attachments and a sense of belonging.

p.6

Quality of care

All young people benefit from well planned care and support programmes. Young people's care plans are comprehensive and staff knowledge of individual plans is thorough. Care plans provide staff with a useful tool to understand young people’s needs and the support they require. Young people’s personal preferences, likes and dislikes and identity needs, are fully reflected in care planning and delivery. There are clear aims for each young person’s placement. These are agreed and reviewed in partnership with families, placing authorities and other professionals involved in the lives of young people. One parent said, 'Staff listen very well to me and discuss my child's care with me.' This means, young people receive consistent, personalised care resulting in positive outcomes for their development.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people benefit from positive and constructive relationships with staff. A social worker described the care given as 'compassionate.' Interactions are nurturing and supportive. Staff recognise the particular vulnerabilities relating to the diverse needs of young people with disabilities. As a result young people feel safe, secure and confident in the care they receive. Staff carefully monitor young people and employ distraction and de-escalation techniques to diffuse any potentially difficult interactions between peers. The staff team use a range of communication techniques to support young people to convey their needs and to make choices.

p.6

Quality of care

The views of young people are sought on a regular basis in different ways. There are young people’s meetings where issues affecting young people’s stays are discussed. In addition, young people have the opportunity to be part of an advocacy forum. Every child is supported to contribute their views and feelings on living and staying at the home. Choices are offered to young people throughout their stay around for example clothing, choice of activities and meals. This demonstrates to young people that their views are important and valued and enables young people to be involved in decision-making about their own care.

p.6

Quality of care

Arrangements for the administration and storage of medication are safe and effective, however stock control measures in relation to homely remedies are not always sufficiently robust which increases the potential for mistakes to be made in the way they are administered. This is a shortfall in recording rather than practice. It has not had a negative impact on young people. Liaison and access to specialist services such as specialist nurses is facilitated appropriately by the home. This ensures young people’s physical and emotional health needs are identified and fully met.

p.7

Quality of care

Young people's educational and learning development are promoted. There are very high levels of attendance at school and effective partnership working with education providers, including daily handovers using home to school diaries. Staff benefit from a range of training, including specialist training to meet young people’s complex health needs. This good level of training ensures staff are confident and competent in addressing young people’s diverse health needs and contributes to young people enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

p.7

Quality of care

Young people are warmly welcomed into the home at the start of each of their visits and they quickly settle into the environment and their routines. Staff use additional communication aids such as social stories to facilitate this smooth transition. The passionate and knowledgeable staff team aim to ensure young people have a positive experience during their short break visits or longer term stays.

p.7

Quality of care

The home has adapted vehicles which allow young people regular opportunities to visit the local amenities. The design of the accommodation is suitable for the needs of the young people. The home is presented to an appropriate standard and bedrooms are undergoing a programme of redecoration. There are two separate gardens which offer safe spaces for young people to unwind, play and explore. Young people are provided with an environment in which they can be at ease, feel comfortable and be safe.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the care provided and parents agree with this. Staff receive training in safeguarding, however staff have not had the opportunity to benefit from specialist safeguarding training in relation to the needs of young people with disabilities. The manager is aware of this and is sourcing a specific training programme. This shortfall has not had a negative impact on young people as staff demonstrate a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. Staff feel confident about sharing any concerns they may have about emerging issues with their supervisors and managers. Bullying is not identified as an issue within the home. High staffing levels and close supervision ensure that any targeting of, or negative behaviour towards, others is promptly addressed. This creates a friendly and calm atmosphere to live and stay in. When young people become agitated or their behaviour is challenging, there is a

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

focus on distraction and de-escalation. Staff are trained in an approved method of physical intervention and know how to use these restraint techniques properly. The use of physical intervention is low and is applied appropriately to ensure young people are safe from danger. Every incident is reviewed by the manager which provides an opportunity for staff to debrief, evaluate the outcome and effectiveness of the intervention and identify ways to improve practice.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Individualised risk assessments clearly identify risk factors for each child. Staff knowledge of risk assessments is good. They implement and regularly review the strategies to minimise risk. Risk assessments and high staffing ratios provide young people with opportunities to enjoy many experiences. There have been no reported incidents of young people going missing from the home.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

New staff are subject to required and recommended checks and do not start work until those checks have been fully completed. This means young people are protected from contact with unsuitable people.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected by good health and safety routines. Maintenance issues are promptly addressed. The home is physically safe and appropriately secure to take into account the needs of the young people. Detailed fire safety risk assessments are in place and each young person has an individual evacuation plan. Fire safety training and evacuation drills are routinely carried out. These measures provide young people with a physically safe environment to live in.

p.8

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

Since the last inspection a new manager has been registered with Ofsted. The Registered Manager shows commitment to achieving good outcomes for young people. Since her appointment, the manager has devised a home development plan which complements the more formal service development plan. The staff team and managers have an understanding of the service’s strengths and areas for improvement. The impact of the new manager has been positive in maintaining and improving an already high quality service.

p.8

Leadership and management

Staff are clear about their individual and collective responsibilities and understand the overall aims of the home. This is a child-focused service and the staff team succeed in helping young people to reach their potential. The home's Statement of Purpose clarifies the main aims and objectives of the home. However, the Statement of Purpose does do not comprehensively detail all of the elements required such as a clear statement about the home’s approach to bullying and an indication of the experience levels of staff.

p.8

Leadership and management

The organisation provides appropriate induction for new staff. New staff are well supported and guided in their roles and benefit from the opportunity to work alongside more experienced colleagues. Regular supervision, appraisal and team meetings provide valued opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and their direct work with young people. This positively benefits young people. Staff development needs are monitored and the organisation keeps staff up to date with mandatory training and specialist training, such as fire safety and specialist health care. This benefits children by ensuring staff have the skills to meet their individual needs and are up to date with their care practice.

p.8

Leadership and management

On occasion, agency staff are used to help maintain the high staffing levels. Records held by the home do not provide documentary evidence of recruitment checks for these individuals or their skill and competence levels. This is an oversight in recording rather than practice as visual checks of documentation are carried out before an individual starts work and, where there is a need for additional training, agency staff members are provided with this by the home. However, the shortfall does need to be addressed in order to ensure that there is effective oversight and a clear audit trail.

p.9

Leadership and management

Another area that needs to be addressed relates to the documentation supporting the use of surveillance cameras. Cameras are used where young people have specific night time health needs and in the communal corridors. The cameras enable night staff to monitor these areas and the young person concerned without unnecessary intrusion. The majority of parents are aware of the use of surveillance cameras at night time, as is the placing authority. However, there is no evidence of a policy on their use or of written consent having been obtained. These measures are needed to ensure that these monitoring devices are used appropriately. There has been no negative impact on the welfare of safety of young people as a result of this omission.

p.9

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.10

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.10