Inspection report for children's home. Unique reference number. Michael, David Charnley. Type of inspection. Registered person address

Transcription

1 Inspection report for children's home Unique reference number Inspector Type of inspection Provision subtype SC Michael, David Charnley Interim Children's home Registered person Registered person address Responsible individual Registered manager Pear Tree Projects Limited Toy Top Farm Houghton Bank, Heighington Darlington County Durham DL2 2UQ David Anthony John Bartlett Alexander Barlow Date of last inspection 08/10/2014

2 Inspection date 24/02/2015 Previous inspection Enforcement action since last inspection good none This inspection This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness. Young people continue to have a good level of structure, supervision and routine in their lives, thus helping them develop a positive identity and self-worth within the immediate and wider community. They benefit from a committed and consistent staff team who have good insight into the needs and presenting risks of young people. Staff provide them with the necessary skills and support as young people strive towards independence and make progress in meeting their intended goals and aspirations. The premises are maintained to a high standard with a relaxed homely feel and well equipped with home furnishings. Young people keep their bedrooms tidy and in good order, adding a personal touch according to their preferred taste and interests. This is helping young people develop a sense of responsibility and pride for their own private space and belongings. Young people benefit from having their own personal space, watching television in the lounge in private or taking themselves off to their bedrooms for some independent time. They engage in group interaction at meal times when staff encourage open conversation about the day s events. Young people are polite and respectful towards one another and to staff. They demonstrate a willingness to assist with domestic chores, such as helping prepare the evening meal. Taking ownership and responsibility for tasks can only bode well for their independence. Educationally, young people continue to make progress with sustained patterns of good attendance. Young people recognise the importance of education, vocational training and work experience, demonstrating a positive determination to succeed. This positive attitude is putting them on the right career path and can increase their life chances. One young person has recently chosen his subject options against his particular interests in art and physical education. Another young person talks openly 2 of 7

3 and enthusiastically about how he really enjoys his catering course. From a health perspective young people continue to benefit from the input of specialist medical support for specific health conditions. This is backed up with good means of support and monitoring by staff at the home. Young people are given good guidance in learning how to self-medicate at the required intervals and given regular prompts to remind them of its importance to protect their health. Staff continue to guide young people in taking care of their own personal hygiene needs thus promoting their overall health and well-being. Young people continue to maintain links with their respective families through carefully planned contact sessions facilitated by the home s staff and placing social workers with the aim to make it a positive and enjoyable experience for all concerned. Staff have good insight into the anxieties and uncertainties experienced by some young people surrounding contact pre-empting possible negative effects following, however they show good empathy and encourage young people to talk about their feelings in private. A requirement raised following the last full inspection has been met. Through training, the Registered Manager has attended a course and seminar on attachment theory. This demonstrates a willingness and commitment to extend his knowledge and skill base that he has since shared with his staff team currently considering ways in which he can embed the new learning in practice to enhance the care and support of young people. A recommendation raised following the last full inspection relating to the need to consult with parents as part of the internal reports into the quality of care has not been met. Although attempts have been made to contact parents this has proved difficult, in that little information from parents has so far been received. This means that internal monitoring of the service cannot fully assess the quality of care in the absence of parental feedback. A recommendation has been raised at this inspection. A recommendation surrounding the issue of young people signing for their own pocket money has been addressed. This has involved consultation between managers, staff and the young people. The outcome being a continuation of this practice after a careful weighing up of the pros and cons. None of the young people have shown any objection to this practice and there is little impact. The home continues to deploy sufficient and competent staff with appropriate arrangements in place for continuing professional development, training of staff employed at the home identified through regular supervision and appraisal in addition to standard mandatory training that helps keep children and young people safe. Staff continue to update risk assessments in response to the presenting concerns and behaviours of young people in close collaboration with outside agencies. This means also putting additional safeguarding measures in place for example increasing levels of supervision for young people s own self-protection. 3 of 7

4 Further requirements and recommendations have been raised as a result of this inspection. Since the last inspection in October 2014 there have been incidents involving allegations of abuse made against young people that have led to ongoing investigations by outside agencies. Such incidents have not been notified to Ofsted. This is due to the Registered Manager s limited knowledge of the notification requirements. Furthermore, a written record of information to demonstrate effective liaison with outside agencies in response to allegations of abuse is not available or kept in any clear logical order. The Registered Manager is not sufficiently proactive in following up allegations and progress of investigations to their conclusion. This leaves young people with a feeling of uncertainty and increased anxiety in not knowing what an investigation may lead to or the time taken to reach an outcome. There have been no incidents of young people going missing from the home. Young people are generally compliant with boundaries and expectations. There has been no need to use physical restraint. Sanctions are few and far between with no current patterns of challenging behaviour. The current records held about the sanctions imposed on young people don t currently include information about the triggers of behaviours and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the sanction used and outcome. Improved recording keeping in this area would prompt staff to reflect on their behaviour management practice and ensure strategies used are effective and reviewed at appropriate intervals. 4 of 7

5 Information about this children s home The home accommodates up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company. Recent inspection history Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/10/2014 Full good 14/01/2014 Interim good progress 30/07/2013 Full good 06/12/2012 Interim good progress What does the children s home need to do to improve further? 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. Reg. Requirement Due date 30 (2001) ensure, when in relation to a children's home, any of the events listed in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, without delay notify the 06/03/ (2001) persons indicated. (Regulation 30(1)) ensure written records are kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response (Regulation 16(d)) Recommendations 06/03/2015 To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): reviews incidents of challenging behaviour, examine trends or issues emerging from this including triggers, sanctions used and outcome to 5 of 7

6 enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice (NMS 3.21) 6 of 7

7 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. 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. 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. Crown copyright 2015 Website: 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. 7 of 7