Riverside House School Care Accommodation Service 1 Bridgend Newmilns KA16 9BU Telephone:

Transcription

1 Riverside House School Care Accommodation Service 1 Bridgend Newmilns KA16 9BU Telephone: Inspected by: George Stewart Elaine Allison Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 30 May 2013

2 Contents Page No Summary 3 1 About the service we inspected 5 2 How we inspected this service 7 3 The inspection 10 4 Other information 18 5 Summary of grades 19 6 Inspection and grading history 19 Service provided by: Spark of Genius (Training) Ltd Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service: George Stewart Telephone enquiries@careinspectorate.com Riverside House, page 2 of 22

3 Summary This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change after this inspection following other regulatory activity. For example, if we have to take enforcement action to make the service improve, or if we investigate and agree with a complaint someone makes about the service. We gave the service these grades Quality of Care and Support 5 Very Good Quality of 5 Very Good Quality of 5 Very Good Quality of Management and Leadership 5 Very Good What the service does well Young people live in a very caring and supportive environment. We found that staff and the management team at the service are committed to providing the most effective care and support they can for the young people. The young people clearly felt safe and secure. The service continues to ensure that the care planning for young people is young person centred and very individualised. What the service could do better The service should reaffirm their commitment to "Every Second Counts" and ensure through training and briefings that staff and young people can use this to best effect. The service should consult with young people on improving the outdoor space at Riverside House to ensure that young people have the opportunity to experience the outdoor environment. What the service has done since the last inspection The service has made very good progress as a result of the new management team's support and guidance for staff. The staff commitment and morale has significantly improved leading to a calmer homely environment for the young people at Riverside House. Riverside House, page 3 of 22

4 Conclusion Inspection report continued The service has continued to make improvements in the care provided for young people. The new management team and staff have strived to work as a team to ensure very good outcomes for the young people by supporting them in education, training programmes and through care planning. Who did this inspection George Stewart Elaine Allison Riverside House, page 4 of 22

5 1 About the service we inspected The Care Inspectorate regulates care services in Scotland. Prior to 1 April 2011, this function was carried out by the Care Commission. Information in relation to all care services is available on our website at This service was previously registered with the Care Commission and transferred its registration to the Care Inspectorate on 1 April Requirements and recommendations If we are concerned about some aspect of a service, or think it needs to do more to improve, we may make a recommendation or requirement. A recommendation is a statement that sets out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service based on best practice or the National Care Standards. A requirement is a statement which sets out what is required of a care service to comply with the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 ("the Act") and secondary legislation made under the Act, or a condition of registration. Where there are breaches of Regulations, Orders or conditions, a requirement may be made. Requirements are legally enforceable at the discretion of the Care Inspectorate. Riverside House is registered for School Care Accommodation. The service is registered to care for a maximum of 7 young people aged between 10 years and 18 years at Riverside House. One of these places may be used on a respite basis. The service is provided by Spark of Genius (Training) Ltd. (Spark of Genius) and operates a 24 hour service 52 weeks of the year. Riverside House is located in the town of Newmilns in East Ayrshire. The service provides the residential living accommodation for the young people while their educational needs are met through attendance at learning centres also provided by Spark of Genius, or at other educational provision, whichever is identified in care plans. The provider had appointed a full-time manager to manage the day-to-day running of the service. He was supported in his duties by an assistant manager and an external service manager. The following is part of a statement by the Managing Director of Spark of Genius on the Spark of Genius website: 'Spark of Genius wants to make life changing experiences available for all our children and young people, through the care we provide, the education and community support we offer, and the continuing relationship we have with our young people, their families and carers' Riverside House, page 5 of 22

6 At the time of the inspection 5 young people were using the service. Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following grades: Quality of Care and Support - Grade Quality of - Grade Quality of - Grade Quality of Management and Leadership - Grade This report and grades represent our assessment of the quality of the areas of performance which were examined during this inspection. Grades for this care service may change following other regulatory activity. You can find the most up-to-date grades for this service by visiting our website or by calling us on or visiting one of our offices. Riverside House, page 6 of 22

7 2 How we inspected this service The level of inspection we carried out In this service we carried out a high intensity inspection. We carry out these inspections where we have assessed the service may need a more intense inspection. What we did during the inspection We wrote this report after an unannounced inspection that took place between 10 am and 4.30 pm on 30 May The inspection was carried out by George Stewart and Elaine Allison Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland Inspectors. In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents including: Certificates of Registration and Insurance Questionnaires young people, parents, staff and stakeholders Minutes of meetings young people and staff Complaints records Absconding records Care Plans Child Protection records Individual risk assessments and audits Medication records Safehold records Safety Checks Kitchen safety and cleaning records Premises and risk assessments staff supervision and appraisal programme Staff rotas Staff training records We also conducted a tour of the premises and observed staff working with young people. We also spoke with: Young people The Manager Deputy Manager Care staff Cook We also observed a staff handover. Riverside House, page 7 of 22

8 Grading the service against quality themes and statements We inspect and grade elements of care that we call 'quality themes'. For example, one of the quality themes we might look at is 'Quality of care and support'. Under each quality theme are 'quality statements' which describe what a service should be doing well for that theme. We grade how the service performs against the quality themes and statements. Details of what we found are in Section 3: The inspection Inspection report continued Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs) In any year we may decide on specific aspects of care to focus on during our inspections. These are extra checks we make on top of all the normal ones we make during inspection. We do this to gather information about the quality of these aspects of care on a national basis. Where we have examined an inspection focus area we will clearly identify it under the relevant quality statement. Fire safety issues We do not regulate fire safety. Local fire and rescue services are responsible for checking services. However, where significant fire safety issues become apparent, we will alert the relevant fire and rescue services so they may consider what action to take. You can find out more about care services' responsibilities for fire safety at Riverside House, page 8 of 22

9 The annual return Every year all care services must complete an 'annual return' form to make sure the information we hold is up to date. We also use annual returns to decide how we will inspect the service. Annual Return Received: Yes - Electronic Comments on Self Assessment Every year all care services must complete a 'self assessment' form telling us how their service is performing. We check to make sure this assessment is accurate. The service submitted a very comprehensive self assessment which evidenced how the service was provided. The provider had carefully considered service delivery and had identified areas that could be improved Taking the views of people using the care service into account Young people told us: ' Its better in here now' 'We get a say in the food we like' ' We should get more pocket money' ' We get listened to if we don't like something' ' Too many rules' ' I know what to do if I want to complain and they listen' Taking carers' views into account We did not speak with any carers as part of this inspection. Riverside House, page 9 of 22

10 3 The inspection We looked at how the service performs against the following quality themes and statements. Here are the details of what we found. Quality Theme 1: Quality of Care and Support Grade awarded for this theme: Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the care and support provided by the service. Service strengths The grade achieved for this statement was. We concluded this after we considered feedback from young people, families, staff and management and we looked at records and other documentary evidence. The service had a Participation Strategy. This was found to be person centred involving young people, parents, carers and other stakeholders including 'Who Cares' in developing all aspects of the service. The care plans for young people were well written and meaningful. We found that young people were encouraged to be fully involved in the completion of their care plans. Young people we spoke with were aware of the content of their care plans and had been involved in planning goals for their futures. Young people at Riverside House had a number of opportunities to assess and improve the quality of the service. For example, young people had one to one 'keytime' sessions with staff, they could attend house meetings and representatives could attend the quarterly 'Spark Parliament' meetings with senior external Spark of Genius managers. The Spark Parliament meetings provided opportunities for one of the young people from Riverside House to put forward views, suggestions and requests on behalf of all young people living at Riverside House to senior external managers. The house meetings allowed the young people to have a say in the issues that affected them on a day-to-day basis. On examination of the minutes from young people's meetings we found that young people had suggested that they would eat more fruit if they had access to a smoothie machine. This request was granted thus ensuring that young people had healthier options available to them. Riverside House, page 10 of 22

11 We saw that there was a complaints/suggestion box available for young people to air their views, Young people had also been issued with business cards giving them numbers to text or phone senior management direct if they felt they wanted to raise issues out with Riverside House. Areas for improvement The service should continue their commitment to participation. Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 3 We ensure that service users' health and wellbeing needs are met. Service strengths The grade achieved for this statement was. We concluded this after we considered feedback from young people, families, external professionals and staff and we looked at the records for the young people. We also observed the quality of care and staff interventions to care for and safeguard young people. All young people are supported to manage their behaviour. We saw individual behaviour plans which were written and agreed with young people. Risk assessments that identify areas they can have difficulty with are in place. These detail the level of risk young people pose to themselves and others and highlight how this can be reduced. In addition an Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP) is in place that outlines how young people can present if they become anxious about something and the best way to support them. Staff and management regularly audited information about safe holds, accidents, incidents and absconding. This proved to be of particular value and identified a potential causes for safe holds involving individual young people. Healthy options were provided for meals and we saw that young people had a choice in the menu's. On the day of the inspection we spoke with the Cook and saw that she was using fresh ingredients and had well planned, healthy menus in place. Young people told us that they were happy with the menus and told us that they had choices. We found the service had a clear medication policy and procedure in place and good practice was evident when medication was dispensed. Medications were carefully stored and dispensed. A robust child protection policy was in place and individual risk assessments were in place for young people. Staff worked closely with health professionals and other to ensure that particular Riverside House, page 11 of 22

12 health needs were met. These included support for young people in relation to physical and emotional well-being. Staff and management regularly audited information about safe holds, accidents, incidents and absconding. This proved to be of particular value and identified a potential causes for safe holds involving individual young people. It was clear from the paperwork that we saw that staff had worked hard to understand, and where safe and appropriate, to accommodate the young people's' wishes and views. Young people were encouraged to take part in healthy pursuits such as ; Golf driving range, swimming, gym membership and Air Cadets. Young people told us that in general they got on with all staff. They felt staff were there for them and that they felt safe and secure. Areas for improvement We found that the service had not maintained the profile of "Every Second Counts". This is a researched approach to interactions between staff and young people who should underpin staff practice. The organisation should update training and provide clearer guidance and reminders to staff that this approach should be part of their every day practice. (See recommendation 1 for this quality statement). Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 1 Recommendations Inspection report continued 1. The organisation should re affirm their commitment to "Every Second Counts". National Care Standards, School Care Accommodation Standard 7: Management and. Riverside House, page 12 of 22

13 Quality Theme 2: Quality of Grade awarded for this theme: Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the environment within the service. Service strengths Please see quality statement 1.1 Areas for improvement Please see quality statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Riverside House, page 13 of 22

14 Quality Theme 3: Quality of Grade awarded for this theme: Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of staffing in the service. Service strengths Please see quality statement 1.1 Areas for improvement Please see quality statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 3 We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National Care Standards, legislation and best practice. Service strengths At this inspection, we found that the performance of the service was very good for this statement. The staff team were motivated and skilled in supporting young people in their care. We looked at training records, supervision notes and spoke with members of staff to help us assess this statement. We found the staff team at Riverside House to be very skilled and committed to meeting the needs of young people in their care. A high staff morale, promoted by experienced and approachable managers, allowed staff opportunities to lead on specific developments within the service, resulting in better outcomes for young people. One staff member told us ' I enjoy coming to work and believe our young people are safe and happy'. Staff we spoke with as part of this inspection told us that the recent additional of new seniors and a new manager had improved the staff morale and had led to a dependable staff group. One worker told us ' the new seniors and manager are fountains of knowledge which is so much better for us and the young people'. We found that the management team promoted an open and transparent environment where staff could raise any issues. We found that open communication Riverside House, page 14 of 22

15 was encouraged. Staff spoke very highly of the level of support they received from management. One staff member told us 'We get very good support the managers here and external managers are very knowledgeable about the young people and their needs'. There were regular staff meetings. Staff we spoke with considered these as important both in terms of allowing for better communication and for information sharing ensuring continuity of care for the young people. We observed a hand-over of shifts and saw that the process was young person-centred and measured with very good detail about the days events. There was a system in place for all staff to receive supervision and annual appraisals. The staff spoken with as part of this inspection confirmed that they received regular supervision. One staff member told us ' The supervision is much better now that the new managers are here'. We found that the service, as part of Spark of Genuis, had ensured staff received training to support their ability to undertake their roles to a very good standard. These included CALM, child protection, cultural awareness, GIRFEC, attachment and leadership and management courses. Areas for improvement We found some slippage in the supervision records of staff. The manager should ensure that all staff receive supervision at regular and planned intervals. Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Inspection report continued Riverside House, page 15 of 22

16 Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership Grade awarded for this theme: Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the management and leadership of the service. Service strengths Please see quality statement 1.1 Areas for improvement Please see quality statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Statement 4 We use quality assurance systems and processes which involve service users, carers, staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service we provide Service strengths At this inspection, we found that the performance of the service was very good for this statement. The service had a range of quality assurance systems in place to meet the needs of young people and their families very effectively. We looked at audits of systems, responses to questionnaires, notes of development days for staff and spoke with managers to help us assess this statement. We found that the children and young people live in a home that is very well managed in their best interest. The management and the staff are committed and have quality assurance systems and processes in place to ensure they continue to asses and improve the quality of the service provided. We sampled internal auditing systems that assist the performance of the service. Senior staff carry out weekly checks of care plans and records demonstrated that attention is given to whether files are up to date and remain relevant. There was also a focus given to whether actions had been completed within agreed timescales and a note of any progress recorded. Further to these checks, managers also conducted an Riverside House, page 16 of 22

17 audit of files and identified any outstanding paperwork which required to be signed by young people. By ensuring that records are accurate, young people can expect consistent approaches to meeting their needs. We saw that the provider operated a comprehensive ongoing quality improvement programme. The framework is based on six high level questions ; How well do we meet the needs of our young people How good is the Care and Education we provide How good is our management How good is our leadership What outcomes have we achieved What is our capacity for improvement We found that this framework provided a very good platform to ensure the quality assurance systems and processess involve service users, carers, staff and stakeholders to assess the quality of service provided. We found that the service had recently carried out a staff service evaluation. We saw that the information gathered from this was evaluated by the service managers and feedback was given to staff within a very short time-span. This ensured ongoing improvements for young people being cared for at Riverside House. Areas for improvement The service should ensure that all quality improvement questionaires are duly dated. Grade awarded for this statement: Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 Riverside House, page 17 of 22

18 4 Other information Complaints No complaints have been upheld, or partially upheld, since the last inspection. Enforcements We have taken no enforcement action against this care service since the last inspection. Additional Information Action Plan Failure to submit an appropriate action plan within the required timescale, including any agreed extension, where requirements and recommendations have been made, will result in the Care Inspectorate re-grading a Quality Statement within the Quality of Management and Leadership Theme (or for childminders, Quality of Theme) as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme being re-graded as unsatisfactory (1). Riverside House, page 18 of 22

19 5 Summary of grades Quality of Care and Support - Statement 1 Statement 3 Quality of - Statement 1 Quality of - Statement 1 Statement 3 Quality of Management and Leadership - Statement 1 Statement 4 6 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 30 Jan 2013 Announced Care and support 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good Management and Leadership 4 - Good 29 Oct 2012 Re-grade Care and support Not Assessed Not Assessed Not Assessed Management and Leadership 2 - Weak 27 Aug 2012 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak 3 - Adequate 2 - Weak Management and Leadership Not Assessed Riverside House, page 19 of 22

20 8 Mar 2012 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 29 Sep 2011 Unannounced Care and support 4 - Good Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 6 Oct 2010 Unannounced Care and support Not Assessed Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 25 May 2010 Announced Care and support Not Assessed Not Assessed Management and Leadership 9 Nov 2009 Unannounced Care and support Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 2 Oct 2009 Re-grade Care and support Not Assessed Not Assessed Management and Leadership Not Assessed 17 Aug 2009 Re-grade Care and support Not Assessed Not Assessed 2 - Weak Management and Leadership Not Assessed 3 Feb 2009 Unannounced Care and support Management and Leadership 4 - Good 14 Aug 2008 Announced Care and support Riverside House, page 20 of 22

21 Management and Leadership 4 - Good 4 - Good 4 - Good All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former regulator of care services, the Care Commission. Riverside House, page 21 of 22

22 To find out more about our inspections and inspection reports Read our leaflet 'How we inspect'. You can download it from our website or ask us to send you a copy by telephoning us on This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can get more copies of this report and others by downloading it from our website: or by telephoning Translations and alternative formats This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request. Telephone: enquiries@careinspectorate.com Web: Riverside House, page 22 of 22