Children's home run by Quarriers in Inverclyde

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff are skilled in working effectively with those living with learning disability, profound and multiple physical disabilities, and complex medical needs.  Young people receive good quality care that is personalised to meet their specific short break needs.  Managers and staff ensure that children and young people have established targets that they can work towards, which promotes their development and overall progress.  Staff communication with children and young people is effective which enables them to make choices and share their views to the full extent of their ability.  Children and young people benefit from good communication by staff with parents. This ensures that children‟s needs are met and that the home supports and promotes positive family life.  The supervision of children and young people by staff is good. As a result, they are safe while at the home.  The premises are safe and secure and geared towards meeting the needs of

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The children's home provision is good because:

children and young people living with multiple disabilities.  Partnership working with key internal and external professionals is strong and this supports safe, well-co-ordinated, good quality care.  Staff support young people to help them develop independent living skills as some prepare for using alternative provision.  Leaders and managers have embraced relevant, revised legislation and incorporated staff practices accordingly. This has resulted in a strong focus on positive outcomes and experiences for young people.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard. In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to children's welfare and personal items, the registered provider must ensure that staff:- (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— (i) meet the needs of each child; and (ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home; 31/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard. In order to meet the children‟s views wishes and feelings standard, with reference to staff taking their views into account in care planning, records of restraint and return home from missing from care episodes, the registered provider must ensure that staff:- (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to — (b) ensure that each child—(iii) is given appropriate advocacy support. 31/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records. (3) The registered person must ensure that—(c) within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)) 31/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

23: Medicines. (1) The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home.(Regulation 23 (1)) 31/12/2015

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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 homes should as far as possible maintain a domestic rather than „institutional‟ impression. This is in relation to the encased television in the lounge, the excessive number of fire extinguishers and fire signage. (Guide to the Quality Standards page 15 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Ensure as far as possible that children and young people can access all shared areas of their home. This is in relation to the kitchen area of the home, that the doorway is accessible to all wheelchair users, and that the work surfaces and appliances are also at accessible heights for them to use. (Guide to the Quality Standards page 15 3.10)

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Information about this children's home

This service offers short breaks for up to five children and young people who have a learning disability and/or physical disability with associated sensory impairment and complex medical needs. This service is delivered and managed by a charitable organisation that operates other services in England and Scotland.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/01/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

15/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Recent inspection history

27/02/2012 CH - Interim Inadequate Progress

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Good

The quality of care provided by staff is good. The staff team are experienced and skilled in meeting the very individual needs of children and young people living with disabilities. They receive personalised care that meets their specific needs.

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Good

Relationships between children and young people and staff is good. A number of staff have known some of the children and young people for a number of years. Staff are passionate and enthusiastic about caring for the children and young people, who in turn trust staff and appreciate the quality of care provided. One parent says of her child‟s care “my child‟s independence and self-care skills have really grown, she is so much more confident”.

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Good

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager and staff have focused on the service identifying and establishing individual goals and targets for each young person. A system for managing this has been implemented to track and enhance children and young people‟s progress in achieving short break targets. Staff are familiar with these targets and work well with children and young people to achieve their goals. As a result their experiences at the home are now integrated into their wider care plans, and not merely for the duration of a short break. The young people find this fun, and rewarding.

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Good

In the main the staff team is generally experienced and skilled in meeting young people‟s needs. Staff work with the children and young people through a clear anti- discriminatory approach to their practice based on the social model of disability. Consequently the holistic and personalised needs of children and young people are managed sensitively and effectively.

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Good

The meals for children and young people are prepared in a way that is appropriate to individual needs and preference. Meals are well balanced, varied and nutritious. Children and young people are involved in deciding the menus, so their individual likes and dislikes are catered for wherever possible. Mealtimes at the home are important to children, young people and staff alike. This time is used to come together to discuss the day, plans for the evening, and for future stays.

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Good

Staff are aware of children and young people‟s individual stages of development and growth and act and support each person accordingly. Staff gather detailed information on children and young people before they arrive in the home. The children and young people are involved in the development of their own care plans wherever possible and the staff place them at the centre of the services they receive. This is particularly so when staff provide them with personal care. As a result staff positively promote respect, privacy, choice and dignity.

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Good

Children and young people‟s views and opinions of the service are sought in a proactive way through consultations and questionnaires. Many of the children and young people use alternative methods of communication, so this poses significant challenge. The lounge and dining area contains a visual feedback board for children and young people to indicate how they are feeling and to express their views using their own preferred communication system. This has a positive influence on the running of the home. One shortfall in obtaining the views of children and young people has been identified. This is in relation to recording the views of children and young people, or them being offered independent advocacy, following incidents of restraint. As a result, children and young people‟s views are not collected or collated and thus cannot inform future practice.

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Good

The views of parents carers and partner agencies are actively sought by staff. Written feedback forms, and regular attendance by parents at the home in person are commonplace. During the inspection one parent spoken to said „the staff here are brilliant and the communication is really good‟

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Good

Staff are familiar with the health care plans of the children and young people, and meet their individualised needs well. Information is exchanged with all appropriate professionals. The care plans and case files for the children and young people show detailed information about each medical condition and how this is to be managed. As a result staff have a good level of understanding and practice in safely caring for them. Through good working relationships with health care professionals and the placing local authority social workers, staff ensure that children and young people receive consistent and co-ordinated health care. Staff are first aid trained and receive training in the administration of medication to support safe health care practices. A shortfall was found during the inspection in relation to the proper disposal of medication received in the home. A half tablet of prescribed medicine was found loose in the bottom of the medicine cabinet, staff

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Good

were not aware that this was missing. The Registered Manager took immediate steps to resolve this matter, and has now put in place appropriate checks to ensure no future repetition.

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Good

The home is a converted house in a residential setting, which has been overall well adapted to meet the health care needs of the children and young people. Recently the exterior grounds of the premises have undergone considerable improvements which have given additional accessibility to the children and young people. Adaptations to the home and adapted equipment have been installed. These include a range of bathroom equipment, play equipment and hoists. Appropriate training is given to staff in moving and handling children and young people to promote the safe care of those who have mobility issues. A shortfall is identified in relation to the kitchen area of the home. A door way from the lounge is accessible to certain types of wheelchair, but not others and needs to be addressed. Similarly the height of the kitchen work surfaces also need to be accessible to all children and young people, particularly those who are learning additional skills for

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Good

The learning opportunities for children and young people at the home are generally good. They are supported to develop social skills, build friendships and develop their own independence. Liaison and contact with the children and young people‟s schools is regular through the use of daily diaries, followed up by telephone contact. Prior to any new admission being made there is a process to assess the impact on those already using the service from new admissions and the schools information is part of this assessment. Periodically and at school review and education plan meetings, the home is represented. This ensures both school and care practices are consistent and effective.

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Good

The staff and the home offer children and young people a range of activities suitable to their individual needs both in and external to the home; an example of this is social trips to the bowling alley. Pictures of young people are displayed in the home to encourage further engagement and participation.

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Good

The home is equipped with an extensive garden area and a „rumpus room‟ which has a ball pool and sensory area which is often a popular activity. Staff at the home are keen to broaden children and young people‟s experiences. They work closely with social workers, schools and colleges to ensure that the support provided promotes independence, life skills and choices.

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Good

Children and young people are protected well by staff from harm, abuse and neglect whilst at the home. They are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. They benefit from the knowledge and understanding which the staff have of the local authorities safeguarding policies and procedures. This is delivered through safeguarding training in partnership with the local authority. This is up to date and constantly reviewed. This is further enhanced through good working links with the placing local authority social workers who regularly exchange information with the home to ensure that children and young people‟s plans and any associated safeguarding plans are fully understood.

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Good

The safe recruitment practices in the home and the wider organisation are good. All applicants have references followed up and fully verified. All appropriate character checks are made and regularly reviewed. Consequently children and young people are not exposed to risk from inappropriate appointments. The Registered Manager has a positive working relationship with the local authority designated officer who readily gives advice. As a result of the measures above children and young people are kept safe.

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Good

Staff are trained and skilled in managing behaviour and promoting positive behaviours. Children and Young people‟s behaviour management plans are comprehensive and personalised. These are consulted on with social workers and schools to ensure consistency and effective practice.

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Good

There have been five incidents of restraint since the last inspection. Restraint is only used as a very last resort; de-escalation is always the preferred option. There have been no episodes of children and young people going missing or absent from care since the last inspection. No child or young person has been involved or is suspected of being involved in child sexual exploitation. The home has robust policies and joint police protocols to manage all such an eventualities.

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Good

Where safeguarding concerns become apparent, senior staff take prompt and effective action to follow the home‟s and the local authority‟s procedures. The safety and wellbeing of the children and young people remain the primary focus.

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Good

Sanctions are rarely used by staff in the home, and there have been none since the last inspection. This is achieved through the staff‟s knowledge of the children and young people‟s presentation. Any dissatisfaction or unhappiness is quickly addressed. Since the last inspection no complaints have been received in the home. Six communications of compliment have been received. The home has a clear complaints policy, and this is made accessible to children and young people in their preferred communication style. Through the positive management of historic complaints, the Registered Manager has used these learning points to further positively develop the service.

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Good

Specially adapted equipment is maintained safely. For example, each young person has a personal emergency evacuation plan in place. The home has clear fire policies and procedures in place which are adhered to. Regular fire alarm tests and evacuations are conducted and properly recorded. However fire equipment and signage in the home needs to be reviewed as this detracts from the otherwise homely environment. Overall the home is very safe and secure; no health or safety concerns have emerged. This keeps children and young people safe. Judgement grade

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Good

The Registered Manager has been in post since March 2007, is experienced and has the required qualifications. These are National Vocational Qualification Level 5 in management and a Diploma in Social Work. The areas of strength and those which require improvement are clearly understood by the leaders and managers of the home. The service has clear development plans in place to review and address these.

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Good

The statement of purpose for the service is a clear and comprehensive document which provides local authorities wishing to access the service with a clear view of what the service provides for children and young people. There is also a children and young people‟s version which is available in different communication styles to meet individual requirements.

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Good

The Registered Manager continues to focus the service on the individual needs of children and young people in a personalised way. As a result agency staff are now rarely used and internal bank staff, who are known to the children and young people, fill staffing shortages when they arise. The staff team benefit from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They are well trained and this is reflected in the home‟s training matrix which shows regular updates of key subjects. Staff are also trained in specialist areas to meet the individual needs of children and young people as and when required. As a result they are up to date with current practice, legislation and guidance.

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Good

Staff receive regular supervision from leaders and managers in the home, this is in line with the organisations policy. Likewise, formal annual appraisals are also given on time. Informal supervision is also available to staff from the management in the home, staff say „the door is always open‟. The staff state the manager is supportive and accessible.

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Good

Regular team meetings are held. These enable staff to discuss and develop consistent strategies to support the complex and changing needs of the children and young people who use the service. As a result any concerns raised are promptly dealt with and the quality of care of the children and young people is secure.

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Good

The Registered Manager has worked positively with local community groups to enhance the homes external facilities. This was to install a picnic bench and new swing seats; repaint existing play equipment and extend the front car park by removing kerbs, levelling and applying gravel. A sunken trampoline was also installed. This shows drive and commitment to the continued improvement of the service to further improve the quality of care for children and young people. Monitoring and quality assurance in the home is well managed. The regulation 44 visitor attends at the required intervals and all of the required areas are covered in the reports in an analytical and evaluative way, giving action points when necessary. Children and young people, local authority social workers, and parents and carers are contacted and their views sought to inform the report.

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Good

The Registered Manager carries out Regulation 45 monitoring, this looks at the shortfalls in the home and aligns them to the home‟s development plan, and actions required for further positive development in the home. The home also has a robust system for the notification of significant events.

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Good

This is a good short break service; the leaders and managers consistently demonstrate enthusiasm for the care they provide children and young people. This is reflected through the staff team who genuinely care about the children and young people and the progress they make. Children and young people benefit positively form their time spent at the home.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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