Children's Home run by Action for Children in Northumberland

Unique reference number SC000673 Inspection date 05/02/2014 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is operated by a national voluntary organisation. It offers short- break care and accommodation for up to 10 children with a learning disability, including one place for use in emergencies.

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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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in July 2013, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was good. The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Young people remain well-cared for and safe.

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Progress

Two recommendations were made at the last inspection and both have been fully met. However, one requirement and one new recommendation have been made as a result of this inspection. The two previous recommendations were to ensure that all medication given to young people is administered in accordance with their individual prescriptions and, to review the home’s young people’s guide to ensure it fully records the details of each young person’s independent reviewing officer.

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Progress

The home’s manager has, through staff supervision and team meetings, reminded staff of the importance of closely following the instructions for the administration of all medication. The manager has also ensured that all staff training in the management and administration of medication is kept up to date and regularly reviewed. In addition, a regular audit of the administration records is carried out in order to ensure any potential mistakes are highlighted and quickly rectified. This helps to keep young people safe and the effect on young people is minimised.

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Progress

Staff at the home have also reviewed the home’s young people’s guide. The guide contains clear information for young people about what the home is like and what it’s like to stay there. The guide also includes information about how they can contact their independent reviewing officers if they are worried or concerned about anything. This helps young people to feel safe and listened to.

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Progress

The new requirement made as a result of this inspection is in relation to the home’s behaviour management procedures. Sanctions are rarely used at the home to help promote the improved behaviour of young people. Staff at the home prefers to use less punitive measures such as support and guidance. However where sanctions are used these are not recorded in a log used specifically for that purpose. This means that the full details of the young person’s behaviour are not recorded and the effectiveness of any sanction used is not known.

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Progress

The new recommendation is in relation to risk assessments undertaken as part of the home’s behaviour management system. The risk assessment describes what action staff should take whilst the young person is within the home. However they do not consider what needs to happen when they are in the community for instance enjoying activities.. This means that staff may not know how to manage difficult behaviour outside the home and young people may not be kept fully safe.

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Progress

Young people have however, continued to make good progress. The home’s manager has assisted young people to participate in a project called ‘Headliners’. Participating in the project helps young people to learn about how they feel about staying at the home and why they like going there. They are then involved in telling other young people about the home. This helps them to feel valued, respected and listened to. The home has also appointed a number of in-house trainers to deliver training to all staff in the safe handling and administration of medication, moving and handling and restraint. This helps to keep staff training up to date and children safe.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose. (Regulation 17B(3)) 31/03/2014

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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

 implement a proportionate approach to any risk assessment. (NMS 4.5)

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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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