Children's Home run by Carlisle Mencap Ltd in Cumberland

Unique reference number SC446003 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Carlisle Mencap Ltd Registered person address Suite 2 Regents Court, Kingmoor Business Park CARLISLE CA6 4SJ Responsible individual Sheila Gregory Registered manager POST VACANT/Julie Harrison Date of last inspection 31/01/2015 2 of 6 Inspection date 17/03/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

It is less than two months since the last full inspection of the home. The manager's application for registration has yet to be finalised by Ofsted. Since the last inspection the service has continued to operate two weekends per month, plus a midweek night on two additional occasions per month. The group of young people who access the service remain the same. Similarly, the staff team has remained mainly consistent, although all the staff employed also work elsewhere in the organisation.

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This inspection

Five requirements were made at the last full inspection in January 2015. The manager has taken swift action to ensure that these have all been addressed. For example, the behaviour management policy has been reviewed and now makes it clear to staff what disciplinary methods must not be used in the home; risk assessments now inform the decision about young people engaging in an activity outside of the setting; clear records illustrate the decision making process in the event of safeguarding concerns; and a comprehensive location risk assessment confirms that the service is appropriately located. Good progress has been made in a limited period of time, demonstrating the manager's enthusiasm to improve the quality of care afforded to young people.

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This inspection

In addition, the Statement of Purpose has been updated, although a copy has not yet been forwarded to Ofsted, as required. This document is comprehensive. However, the home has not been operating in accordance with this. Staff are not receiving supervision at the frequency outlined in this and some staff have not received formal supervision in the last four months. In addition, separate permissions have not been sought from young people's parents or social workers for the use of electronic listening devices in young people's bedrooms. Consequently, the service is not functioning as outlined to parents and commissioners at the onset of their short break arrangements. 3 of 6 The children's guide to the service has also been updated. This now includes a large number of photographs of the centre. This is particularly valuable for young people who struggle to communicate verbally, as it gives them a better understanding

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This inspection

about the centre that they will be staying in. This also includes photographs of the staff that will be caring for them. Many of whom are known to the young people as a result of them accessing other support services through Carlisle Mencap. This helps prepare young people for their stay.

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This inspection

Four recommendations were also made at the last inspection. Action has been taken to address two of these. The home's missing from home procedure has been reviewed and young people have been involved in a fire drill since the last inspection. Both of these measures improve young people's safety and security. However, staff still do not benefit from a dedicated handover period to ensure the essential exchange of information about young people; and problems remain in relation to the frequency of supervision, as highlighted above. Hence, the later has been escalated to a requirement at this inspection.

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This inspection

Errors in medication records were evident at this inspection. For example, medication had been returned to a young person's family but records indicated that it remained on the premises. In addition, one young person's medication had been counted incorrectly, so the balance did not tally when it was returned at the conclusion of the young person's stay. Furthermore, these issues which were identified during the inspection had not been identified prior to this. Such errors indicate that the current system is not sufficiently robust to ensure the health and well-being of young people during their stay. Staff did take immediate action to verify the situation during the inspection.

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This inspection

Young people continue to enjoy their short break stays; while their parents benefit from an essential period of respite. Young people continue to engage positively in a range of activities and learn new skills during their time here. Staff ask young people for feedback at the conclusion of their stay. Recent comments include, 'I enjoyed it here', 'I like playing with the other children' and 'I like using the computers and doing baking'. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This four bedded children’s home is run by a registered charity and provides short breaks care for children and young people with physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2015 Full adequate 25/03/2014 Interim good progress 25/06/2013 Full good

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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

4 (2001) ensure that the children's home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose (Regulation 4(6) 20/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that suitable arrangements are made for the recording, handling and safe administration of any medicines received into the children's home (Regulation 21(1)) 20/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that when electronic monitoring devices for the surveillance of children are used for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, that it is provided for in the child's placement plan; specifically the use of listening devices overnight (Regulation 22 (1)(a)(b)) 20/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate supervision and appraisal. (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 20/04/2015 5 of 6

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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 that staff rotas have time scheduled to ensure handovers are held. (NMS 17.6) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information 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 framework of inspection for children's homes.

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