Scalloway Park Children's Home Care Home Service

Transcription

1 Scalloway Park Children's Home Care Home Service 11a Scalloway Park Fraserburgh AB43 9FB Inspected by: (Care Commission Officer) Type of inspection: Lol Goddard Announced Inspection completed on: 11 July /12

2 Service Number Service name CS Scalloway Park Children's Home Service address 11a Scalloway Park Fraserburgh AB43 9FB Provider Number dummy Provider Name SP Aberdeenshire Council Inspected By dummy Inspection Type Lol Goddard Care Commission Officer Announced dummy Inspection Completed Period since last inspection 11 July 2006 Five months dummy Local Office Address Johnstone House Rose Street Aberdeen AB10 1UD dummy 2/12

3 Introduction Scalloway Park Children's Home is a large detached house situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Fraserburgh. The service is provided by the local authority and is registered to provide residential care and support for a maximum of seven young people. The service aims to provide a safe, caring, stable, secure and happy environment for young people experiencing difficulties and to offer planned and skilled intervention to enable them to fulfil their potential and make choices about their own lives. Basis of Report This report is based on an announced inspection visit by two Care Commission officers which took place on 11 July Prior to the inspection visit, assessment of the regulatory history of the service determined that this inspection would focus on specific aspects of the following national care standards for care homes for children and young people in accordance with this year's core standards and national inspection themes: Standard 2 - First meetings. Standard 4 - Support arrangements. Standard 5 - Your environment. Standard 6 - Feeling safe and secure. Standard 7 - Management and staffing. Standard 10 - Eating well. This inspection additionally examined how effectively the service had implemented the following standard which had not been inspected since the initial publication of the national care standards in 2002: Standard 8 - Exercising your rights. Compliance with associated statutory requirements, as specified by The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2002, Statutory Instrument 114, and the requirements and areas for development identified during the previous inspection of the service on 31 January 2006 were also considered. During the visit, the methods of inspection included observation of practice, discussion and examination of pertinent records, policies and procedures. Discussion was undertaken with one service user, with one residential child care officer, with one relief residential child care officer and with the manager. Two field social workers were consulted by telephone following the inspection visit about their views of the service. Feedback on the outcomes of the inspection was given to the manager during the inspection visit and by electronic-mail on 12 July Thanks are due to all involved in the inspection for their hospitality, cooperation and assistance. Action taken on requirements in last Inspection Report Three requirements were made during the last inspection. These had been partially 3/12

4 addressed and have been discussed in more detail in the body of this report. Comments on Self-Evaluation Due to difficulties experienced with the new electronic recording system for the self-evaluation document, this will be examined as part of the next inspection. View of Service Users The service user spoken with explained that he was able to talk to all of the staff and described the choices and opportunities offered by the service. In particular, he stated that his contact with his family was supported by staff and he appreciated the quality of the food provided and the fact that food was always available for the young people. View of Carers No relatives of service users were available for consultation during this inspection. 4/12

5 Regulations / Principles Regulation : National Care Standards National Care Standard Number 2: Care Homes for Children and Young People - First Meetings Flexible opportunities to visit the service, including sharing meals with the young people already using the service and overnight stays, were made available for prospective service users whenever possible. Arrangements for introductions to the service would vary depending on needs and circumstances. Relatives and other representatives were stated to be included in pre-admission visits and meetings as appropriate. One of the field social workers consulted was able to provide information about a planned admission for a young person she had referred to the service. Introduction to the service had included a visit with the social worker, a meal shared with other service users and two overnight stays. She explained that this young person had been consulted by staff about her own preferences and had been provided with enough information about the service to allay her anxieties and to enable her to feel that using the service on a longer-term basis would be a positive option for her. The manager explained that a file would be started for each planned admission to the service and records would include plans for introductions to the service, any transitional support arrangements and details of all visits prior to admission. A detailed welcome booklet was available for prospective service users and their representatives. This folder included a lot of clear information about the service, including the rights and responsibilities of the young people and how to complain or obtain independent support in respect of any concerns. The booklet also clarified that a keyworker would be allocated as soon as possible following referral. All new placements were reviewed at appropriate intervals to allow full evaluation of whether the needs of the young person were being met. Some areas for development in respect of ensuring that sufficient written information was available about the needs of a young person who was new to the service were identified and have been discussed under standard four, support arrangements. 5/12

6 The policies and procedures for all of the local authority care homes for young people, including the admission policy for the service, were in the process of review and development. National Care Standard Number 4: Care Homes for Children and Young People - Support Arrangements All of the young people had a personal file and two of these were examined. One of the files included a care plan, an essential care record and placement agreement and day-to-day placement arrangements which had been completed either at the time of admission or within two weeks of admission. These had been signed by the young person, a parent, the social worker and the residential keyworker. Statutory six-monthly reviews had been undertaken and detailed daily records evidenced further multi-disciplinary liaison. Monthly summaries had been completed by the keyworker between reviews and signed by the young person. The file also included appropriate risk assessments which partially addressed a requirement made during the last inspection. Discussions were held with two field social workers about their views on joint working with the service. Both of the social workers expressed their confidence in the commitment of the residential staff to implementing agreed care plans and stated that they were kept well-informed. One social worker described her relationship with staff at the service as very good and very positive and stated that any problems with communication had been minor and had always been openly discussed and resolved. The other social worker stated that the service was absolutely excellent and that she had never had any problem whatsoever in communicating with staff. She stated that effective joint working and clear consistent boundaries had enabled a care plan for a young person with complex needs to be implemented constructively with very good outcomes for this young person. Written care plans, essential core records and placement agreements, and where possible essential background records, were stated to be provided by referring field social workers at the beginning of a placement. Day-to-day placement arrangements would then be documented and agreed by all involved. These records should ensure that the residential child care staff have the information required to meet the needs of the young person moving-in. However, none of these were in place in one of the files examined and the first written information provided which was relevant to meeting the needs of this young person was dated as received two months after admission. (See requirement 1). Appropriate risk assessments had been developed for one of the young people whose files were examined. However, the risk assessment in the other file required more detail. None of these had been signed by the young person and not all risk assessments and other important documents were dated. Information in some sections of personal files was scarce, for example, medical information. These issues were discussed with the manager who 6/12

7 acknowledged that further development to ensure that personal plans fully reflect the holistic needs of service users and that this information is easily accessed was ongoing. For this reason a further requirement in respect of this area of practice has not been made at this time but personal planning and recording of this will continue to be monitored during future inspections. One of the social workers consulted commented that the staff time available for working with the young people sometimes appeared to be limited. The manager stated that the need for more relief staff had been identified and recruitment was in progress at the time of this inspection. National Care Standard Number 5: Care Homes for Children and Young People - Your Environment The limitations of the current physical environment for young people had been acknowledged by the service provider in that there were long-term plans to relocate the service. However, some rooms were attractive and personalised and the home was observed to be clean, fresh and warm on the day of the inspection. A living room, a recreation room and single bedrooms ensured that young people had a choice of social and private spaces. Local amenities were accessible and bicycles were available for the young people. The young people had access to books, electronic music, entertainment and viewing equipment. Shared computers with monitored access to the internet were available. The bedrooms were single occupancy with wash-hand basins but were limited in size. Young people could bring in their own possessions when space permitted and were able to put up posters and make choices about decoration if their residency was long-term. All of the bedrooms had locks and a small lockable box was also provided for each young person. Heating and ventilation in bedrooms could be adjusted in accordance with individual preferences. Service users present during the inspection were observed to be comfortable and relaxed in this environment. It is acknowledged that avoiding major expenses in respect of improving the building is expedient if the plan is to relocate the service. However, some issues in respect of the premises were unacceptable in the meantime. The laundry room was in need of refurbishment and the need for repairs to damaged plaster and paintwork in various areas of the building was acknowledged by the manager. Areas for development highlighted in the last inspection report were not scheduled to be addressed. (See requirement 2). National Care Standard Number 6: Care Homes for Children and Young People - 7/12

8 Feeling Safe and Secure A local child protection policy was in place and although due for review, this included a range of guidance for staff and clarification of recording and reporting responsibilities. A copy of the North East of Scotland Child Protection Committee guidelines was available and the manager described appropriate actions taken in respect of child protection concerns arising since the last inspection. Staff spoken with were clear that restraint had not been used in the service and would not be used except as a last resort. This was endorsed by the corporate policy on physical restraint which had been reviewed in All of the staff had received training in crisis and aggression limitation management (C.A.L.M.). Seven members of staff had completed a C.A.L.M. refresher course since the last inspection and regular in-house refresher sessions had been re-introduced. A copy of the recently published guidance on the physical restraint of young people 'Holding Safely' was available. Two fire drills involving staff and service users had been held this year. Servicing of the fire detection and lighting systems and of the fire fighting equipment had been undertaken and recorded in accordance with health and safety guidelines. Some of the staff had completed training in child protection as part of their professional qualifications but others had not had access to this. (See recommendation 1). Local and corporate fire risk assessments were in place but a full fire risk assessment had not been completed since The manager stated that weekly fire alarm checks had been undertaken but records of these were not up-to-date. (See requirement 3). Fire drills had been undertaken and recorded. However, the manager should monitor attendance to ensure that the frequency and timing of fire drills enable all service users and staff to attend at least one drill annually. (See requirement 3). A recommendation of the fire service to upgrade internal doors to self-closing fire doors or to install a sprinkler system had not been implemented. A requirement made during the last inspection to provide the Care Commission with an action plan detailing when and how this is to be addressed or which alternatives have been agreed with the fire service had not been met and has been restated. (See requirement 3). Records of accidents and incidents were not available on the day of the inspection and will be examined during the next inspection. National Care Standard Number 7: Care Homes for Children and Young People - Management and Staffing This standard was considered during last year's inspections and therefore will not be reported on in detail. 8/12

9 Recruitment and selection procedures are planned to be inspected at a corporate level later this year and the outcomes will be incorporated in the next inspection report for this service. Staff had been issued with individual copies of the Scottish Social Services Council codes of practice. The manager stated that an analysis of the training needs of the staff team was undertaken annually and this information was passed to the corporate training team. Staff spoken with praised their colleagues and described their roles positively. One member of staff stated that 'we do all try to do the best for each young person' and that the staff focused 'on the good not negative' in working with the young people. A risk assessment had been developed in respect of hot water temperatures which partially addressed a requirement made during the last inspection. The manager explained that the need for first aid training and refresher training in elementary food hygiene had been identified and was in hand. Training records were incomplete and although discussion indicated that a good range of training had been available for staff, records did not consistently reflect this. (See recommendation 2). The manager should ensure that fire training is included when these records are updated. The risk assessment for hot water temperatures was not in accordance with the guidance for safe limits as specified by the Health and Safety executive. The manager stated that hot water temperatures were checked and recorded monthly but this was not included in the risk assessment. (See requirement 4). The difficulty in resolving the apparent conflict between safe temperatures for legionella and safe temperatures to prevent scalding is acknowledged but the manager must consult with health and safety and/or environmental health officers as necessary to inform further development of the risk assessment so that this ensures that service users are protected in respect of both potential hazards. National Care Standard Number 8: Care Homes for Children and Young People - Exercising Your Rights A statement of the rights and responsibilities of the young people was in place and was incorporated in the information booklet for the service. This reflected the aims and objectives of the local authority, the United Nations' Convention on the rights of the child (1989) and the Skinner report 'Another Kind of Home' (1992). These rights included to be involved in all decisions affecting you and have your opinions respected. Staff were observed to treat the young people with courtesy and respect during the inspection. Discussions with staff and records examined highlighted an ethos of valuing each young person as an individual and supporting them to exercise their rights and make informed and responsible choices for themselves wherever possible. The young person spoken with talked about the options available to him and felt able to discuss any issues with all of the staff. Meetings to formally consult the young people about the menu and other group or household issues were stated to be held when appropriate. 9/12

10 The young people had access to representation and support in respect of their individual rights from outwith the service through the Children's Rights Officer and the local representative from Who Cares? Scotland. Relevant contact information was displayed in the computer room and was included in the information booklet for the young people. None identified at this inspection. National Care Standard Number 10: Care Homes for Children and Young People - Eating Well A member of staff explained that the young people were involved in menu-planning and shopping when possible and that staff spent time cooking and baking with the young people. The menu was stated to be based on home cooking and fresh produce and staff actively encouraged healthy eating and lifestyles. Food and drinks were freely available although the young people were encouraged to practise the normal household courtesy of asking before helping themselves. In particular, a stock of fresh fruit, fruit juice, yoghurts and salad was maintained and a water-cooler was stated to be well-used. The young people had individual small fridges in their own bedrooms. Open access to the kitchen and food cupboards was offered whenever possible and occasional exceptions to this were explained and stated by all spoken with to be employed for very short periods only. The food and nutrition policy stated that the menus were planned taking individual preferences, special dietary requirements and the need for a balanced nutritional diet into account. The young person spoken with was very happy with the food provided. Areas for development in respect of ensuring that care plans include sufficient written information have been discussed under standard four, support arrangements and would also apply to records of individual dietary issues. 10/12

11 Enforcement No enforcement action has been taken by the Care Commission in respect of this service. Other Information Not applicable. Requirements 1. Proper provision must be made to enable staff to meet the holistic health and welfare needs of service users. In order to achieve this, the service provider must ensure that: (i) Any available relevant information about a new service user must be provided in writing for residential child care staff prior to admission unless an emergency admission precludes this. (ii) A current written plan for each service user, which details how the service user's needs are to be met, must be developed within one month of admission and dated to evidence this. This is in order to comply with: SSI 2002/114 Regulation 4(1)(a) - to make proper provision for the health and welfare of service users. SSI 2002/114 Regulation 5(1) - to record how the health and welfare needs of service users are to be met within one month of the date on which the service user first received the service. The following national care standards have been taken into account in making this requirement: Care homes for children and young people, standard two - First meetings. Care homes for children and young people, standard four - Support arrangements. Timescale for implementation: Within twelve weeks of the publication of this report. 2. The premises must be in good decorative order throughout and must be suitable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives of the service. In order to achieve this the service provider must ensure that: (i) An action plan including timescales is completed and implemented in respect of decorative refurbishment of the premises where necessary. (ii) A copy of this action plan is forwarded to the Care Commission. This is in order to comply with: SSI 2002/114 Regulation 10(2)(a) - to ensure the premises are fit for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives of the service. SSI 2002/114 Regulation 10(2)(b) - to ensure the premises are kept in a good state of repair. The following national care standard has been taken into account in making this requirement: Care homes for children and young people, standard five - Your environment. Timescale for implementation: Within eight weeks of the publication of this report. 3. All possible measures to safeguard service users from the risk of fire must be undertaken and recorded. In order to achieve this, the service provider must ensure that: (i) Weekly checks of the fire detection and alarm system are recorded. (ii) All staff and service users receive appropriate training in fire safety awareness and the fire procedure for the service. (iii) The fire risk assessment of the premises is reviewed by a competent person as appropriate but at least annually. (iv) An action plan detailing when and how the outstanding recommendation of the fire service is to be addressed is submitted to the Care Commission. This is in order to comply with: 11/12

12 SSI 2002/114 Regulation 4(1)(a) - to make proper provision for the welfare of service users. SSI 2002/114 Regulation 13(c)(i) - to provide training for staff in respect of their responsibilities. SSI 2002/114 Regulation 19(3)(c) - to keep a record of all alarm tests. The following national care standards have been taken into account in making this requirement: Care homes for children and young people, standard five: Your environment. Care homes for children and young people, standard six: Feeling safe and secure. Care homes for children and young people, standard seven: Management and staffing. Timescale for implementation: Within eight weeks of the publication of this report. 4. All possible measures to protect service users from the risk of scalding must be undertaken and documented. In order to achieve this, the service provider must ensure that: (i) The risk assessment in respect of hot water temperatures is further developed to ensure that this reflects health and safety guidelines and fully details measures which will ensure that service users are safeguarded in this context. (ii) A copy of this risk assessment is submitted to the Care Commission. This is in order to comply with: SSI 2002/114 Regulation 4(1)(a) - to make proper provision for the welfare of service users. The following national care standards have been taken into account in making this requirement: Care homes for children and young people, standard seven - Management and staffing. Care homes for children and young people, standard six - Feeling safe and secure. Timescale for implementation: Within eight weeks of the publication of this report. Recommendations 1. Training in child protection should be provided for all staff working with vulnerable young people. National care standards for care homes for children and young people, standard six: Feeling safe and secure. 2. An accurate training record should be maintained for each individual member of staff. National care standards for care homes for children and young people, standard seven: Management and staffing. Lol Goddard Care Commission Officer 12/12