Clever Clogs Out of School Club Day Care of Children

Transcription

1 Clever Clogs Out of School Club Day Care of Children 51 Wilson Street Peterhead AB42 1UD Telephone: Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 6 October 2016 Service provided by: Pride N Joy (Peterhead) Limited Service provider number: SP Care service number: CS

2 About the service Clever Clogs Out of School Club has been registered since It is registered as a Day Care of Children service to provide care for a maximum of 24 school aged children at any one time. The care service operates before and after school and during school holidays and in-service days. The service is located close to the town centre of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire and buses are used to collect the children from the local primary schools. The children have access to a kitchen/dining area with adjacent toilets and four separate playrooms furnished to support play, relaxation and creativity. A small, concreted outdoor area provides opportunities for physical play and the group makes good use of the local play park. Aims of the service include being committed to "build a safe and secure 'home from home' club where children are at the centre". We check services are meeting the principles of Getting it right for every child (also known as GIRFEC). This is Scotland's national approach to improving outcomes and wellbeing for children by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work with the services that can help them. There are eight wellbeing indicators at the heart of GIRFEC. They are: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. They are often referred to as the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators. What people told us For this inspection we received views from 12 parents and carers. Responses indicated that parents were happy with the service, commenting positively about the care their child was given. Parents told us they thought it was a safe environment with a variety of enjoyable activities. Comments included: - "It's a great service. I don't have to worry about my child". - "During the holidays they go to lots of places I wouldn't be able to take them". - "They wouldn't be able to do half the things with me at home". - "They were very helpful when my child first started. I liked the welcome pack which was easy to understand. The service has been very accommodating". We visited the after school and breakfast club. There were approximately 19 children present at the after school club and 15 at the breakfast club. The children told us they enjoyed being with their friends, playing on the Xbox and doing their nails. Comments included: - "I like to help Lisa. She is very nice. I like to do snack". - "I like playing with the dollies. There is always heaps to do". - "I really like drawing and I get to paint my nails". - "My favourite is the Xbox, but we have to take turns, which is really fair". Self assessment The Care Inspectorate received a fully completed self-assessment document from the provider and gave examples of how they involved the children when planning activities and how they kept them safe. The selfassessment clearly identified some key areas that the provider believed can be improved and showed us how the service intended to do this. The provider told us how the people who used the care service had taken part in the page 2 of 11

3 self-assessment process and how their feedback directed the development of their plans for improving the service. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership Quality of care and support Findings from the inspection Staff interacted well with the children, chatting with the children at the snack table and joining the children for some activities. Perceptive staff joined some of the younger children at the drawing table and the older children were given space to socialise independently in the TV room. Children were involved in writing club rules which supported a pleasant and respectful environment where the children felt safe and happy. The children appeared happy and engaged with the activities on offer. Mindmaps were used to find out what the children wanted to do and used to plan activities which were child-led and enjoyable. For example, the children had helped develop a beauty area and nail bar. Challenging activities such as a science lab were being developed with input from the children. Children told us they felt happy and never bored. Children were kept fit and healthy with opportunities for outdoor play in the local park and concreted outdoor area. Children enjoyed playing 'Tag' and climbing on the wooden play equipment. Healthy snacks were offered to the children and included a choice of fruit. Water or milk was offered to drink supporting good dental health. Staff discussed menu choices with the children, however, children told us they didn't always like the choices available. The provider and staff were aware of the problem and were developing snack routines based around children's choice. Nutritional guidance for school age children can be found at: We looked at a sample of the children's records and found relevant information to support the welfare of the children was recorded and reviewed with parents at least every six months. Staff knew the needs of the children well and discussed their individual needs. There were no children requiring medication attending the service, however procedures were in place to support the safe administration of medication if necessary. Staff had completed annual child protection training and through discussion were able to tell us the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a child. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 page 3 of 11

4 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of environment Findings from the inspection The environment was homely and comfortable, and supported children's choice. The club was well laid out with separate rooms offering a range of activities to support creativity and relaxation Children moved freely between the rooms enjoying the variety of activities. Photographs and children's artwork were attractively displayed on the walls. Pegs for the children to store their bags and coats helped them feel welcome and included and kept their belongings safe. The children's emotional and physical health was supported with regular visits to the nearby park. The park was fully enclosed and fully supervised by staff, helping to keep the children safe. The children could freely access a small concreted area outside the building and enjoyed a game of 'Tag' with their friends. Children attending the holiday club were familiar with their local environment and visited the local library and parks. They visited lots of attractions in the wider community such as Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen and Whitehills Park near Banff. The children told us they liked going for walks and outings in the summer. The staff and children had been involved in effective hand washing training with Aberdeenshire council to support infection and prevention control. The children washed their hands thoroughly before eating snack helping to keep them well. The toilets were very clean throughout the session and the children were encouraged to be very responsible and respectful of their environment. The children were kept safe with a secure front door and a register of children attending. Risk assessments appropriate for the age and stage of the children had been completed with input from the children. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 0 Grade: 4 - good Quality of staffing page 4 of 11

5 Findings from the inspection Staff had developed very good relationships with the children and their families. Families felt supported and appreciated the welcoming and friendly environment. Staff worked well as a team, ensuring the needs of the children were met. A previous requirement was made to ensure all required checks were undertaken before staff started in employment to ensure the safety of the children. No staff had been employed since the last inspection, however systems were now in place to ensure correct procedures were followed during the recruitment process. As previously recommended, an induction programme had been developed for new members of staff. This supported staff to have a good understanding of their role and responsibilities. All practitioners had undertaken core training to help keep children safe and well. Staff were very committed and enthusiastic to develop their knowledge and understanding to improve outcomes for children. Staff members were supported by the provider to undertake Scottish Vocational Qualifications in playwork. Opportunities for inhouse training in GIRFEC had supported staff knowledge. However, to fully support individual children, all staff should undertake further training and record how this has impacted on their practice. Staff told us they had recently registered with Aberdeenshire Events to access and register for relevant courses (see Recommendation 1). Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 1 1. In order to support improvement to the service and outcomes for children, staff should undertake further training and record how this has impacted on their practice. Staff should ensure their training records: - are up to date - record the event/learning experience - evaluate the learning - show how the training has impacted on practice. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 12: Confidence in Staff and Standard 13: Improving the Service Grade: 4 - good Quality of management and leadership Findings from the inspection The manager supported staff with policies and procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of the children. Policies reflected current guidance and records were kept when staff accessed them. Daily planning was undertaken by competent staff who were committed to developing their knowledge and understanding to fully page 5 of 11

6 manage the group. They were fully supported by the provider who was very hands on in the service. Staff spoke very highly of the support given to them and how they worked as a team to make improvements to the service. However, we found no records of team meetings or formal discussions (see Recommendation 1). To fully support staff, and identify strengths and weaknesses, the manager completed annual staff appraisals. However, very little official monitoring or staff observations took place to evaluate staff practice and identify training needs (see Recommendation 2). Strategies to seek parent views about the service had been introduced and comments were very positive. Children were involved in planning activities and mindmaps were used effectively to gather their ideas. However, we found very little self-evaluation had taken place and used to develop an improvement plan for the service (see Recommendation 3). Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 3 1. To support improvement to the service, the provider, manager and staff should implement regular team meetings and record any actions agreed. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13: Improving the Service and Standard 14: Well-Managed Service 2. To help improve outcomes for children and support improvement to the service, the provider should introduce regular staff monitoring. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13: Improving the Service and Standard 14: Well-Managed Service 3. To support improvement to the service, the provider, manager and staff should further develop self-evaluation strategies involving all stake holders. The information should then be used to develop an improvement plan for the service. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13: Improving the Service and Standard 14: Well-Managed Service. Grade: 3 - adequate page 6 of 11

7 What the service has done to meet any requirements we made at or since the last inspection Previous requirements Requirement 1 In order to safeguard children the provider must ensure all the required checks are undertaken before staff start in employment. This is in order to comply with: Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) Regulation 9(1) and (2)(a-c) and Regulation 13(1). Timescale: Within 24 hours of receipt of this report. This requirement was made on 8 March Action taken on previous requirement No staff had been employed since last inspection, however systems were now in place to ensure correct procedures were followed during the recruitment process. Met - within timescales What the service has done to meet any recommendations we made at or since the last inspection Previous recommendations Recommendation 1 The manager and staff should continue to develop ways of including parents in assessing and improving the service. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13.1: Improving the Service Strategies to seek parent views about the service had been introduced and comments were very positive. During feedback we discussed developing further methods to include parents in assessing and improving the service, for page 7 of 11

8 example, a focused questionnaire on a specific area. We have made a new recommendation to ensure parents are included in the self-evaluation process. Recommendation 2 The induction process should be developed to cover all aspects of the job role, service delivery, safety and meeting children's needs. A clear record should be kept of the induction each member of staff receives. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 12: Confidence in Staff An induction programme had been developed for new members of staff. This supported staff to have a good understanding of their role and responsibilities. This recommendation had been met. Recommendation 3 The provider should take steps to ensure that all staff required to be registered by the SSSC make applications to do so as soon as possible to ensure they are registered by the date of required registration. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 12: Confidence in Staff All staff were registered with the SSSC. This recommendation had been met. Recommendation 4 The provider should develop effective systems for identifying and monitoring staff development needs. Development needs identified should then be addressed. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 12: Confidence in Staff No official monitoring or staff observations took place to evaluate staff practice and identify training needs. This recommendation has been restated. Recommendation 5 The provider, manager and staff should develop quality assurance systems involving children, parents/carers, staff and stakeholders. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13.1: Improving the Service and Standard 14.7: Well-Managed Service page 8 of 11

9 This recommendation had not been met. We have made new recommendations to ensure quality assurance systems are developed. These include the introduction of formal meetings, staff monitoring and self-evaluation to inform an improvement plan. Recommendation 6 The service's policies should be reviewed and updated to ensure: - staff are following the policies - the policies reflect current guidance. National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare Up to the Age of 16. Standard 13.1: Improving the Service and Standard 14.7: Well-Managed Service The manager supported staff with policies and procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of the children. Policies reflected current guidance and records were kept when staff read them. This recommendation had been met. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken against this care service since the last inspection. Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 14 Jan 2016 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak Management and leadership 7 Aug 2014 Unannounced Care and support page 9 of 11

10 Date Type Gradings Management and leadership 8 Aug 2013 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 21 Aug 2012 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 19 Jan 2012 Unannounced Care and support Management and leadership 2 - Weak 22 Aug 2011 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak Management and leadership 2 - Weak page 10 of 11

11 To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can take action when things aren't good enough. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service. You can also read more about our work online at Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com Find us on Facebook Other languages and formats This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas. page 11 of 11