The Willows Care Home Service

Transcription

1 The Willows Care Home Service 132 Hardgate Aberdeen AB11 6YU Telephone: Type of inspection: Unannounced Completed on: 4 July 2018 Service provided by: Aberdeen City Council Service provider number: SP Service no: CS

2 About the service The Willows children's home is owned and operated by Aberdeen City Council as part of their social work services for children and young people. The service is a modern building, based in Aberdeen City centre. It is therefore very close to local amenities and has easy access to public transport. The service is registered to provide a service to a maximum of six children and young people - all in single en suite bedrooms. Within the statement of functions and objectives the service described their aim to "provide a safe, structured and nurturing environment - creating an atmosphere and culture of respect and compassion, where each young person is treated as an individual and receives responsive care and support." This service has been registered since What people told us The inspection took place over an evening and the following day. All four young people were at home at some point of the visit and spoke to the inspector individually. The inspector also observed the warm interaction between young people and staff in a relaxed, homely environment. Young people were generally happy living at The Willows and were able to describe very positive relationships with staff. They described real progress at school/work and activities and interests they were involved in. One young person felt they had 'outgrown' the service and wanted to move on. They described why and had been open with staff about their wishes. Despite some of their overall views reflecting this wish, they also described positive relationships with staff (and understood why staff hoped they would stay a while longer). One questionnaire was received from a young person prior to the inspection (though more than one told the inspector they had completed the questionnaire). It was generally positive about most aspects of the service and stated 'agree' in response to the question 'Overall I am happy with the quality of care I get here?' Four requests were made to placing social workers for their feedback about the service. One was received. The response stated that staff were proactive in supporting the young people to achieve their potential and have meaningful experiences, and that they provide a high standard of nurturing and therapeutic care and build secure relationships. Self assessment No self assessment was requested by the Care Inspectorate for the inspection year 2018/19. From this inspection we graded this service as: Quality of care and support Quality of environment Quality of staffing Quality of management and leadership 5 - Very Good not assessed 5 - Very Good not assessed page 2 of 8

3 What the service does well Staff at the service provided a supportive, nurturing environment for young people. They were skilled and experienced, and motivated to support young people to do well. Young people's support needs were identified through initial and ongoing assessment and through planning with the young person, and people who were important to them. At the time of the inspection the local authority had adopted an attachment focussed therapeutic approach, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and PACE (playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) which staff were being trained to use to support young people. Staff were at varying stages of their formal training, however, were supported to implement the approach at every opportunity. Support plans, risk assessments and their review documents were generally of a good standard and used the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included) to identify the support young people needed. The use of 'time lines' (visual chronologies) had been introduced to identify the significant events in young people's lives, highlight their impact and identify the best ways of providing support. These had been used effectively within the team, and shared with key staff in schools to promote a shared approach and understanding. The healthcare needs of young people were well met, with young people accessing a range of healthcare services. Where young people had specific healthcare needs these were fully supported. Considerable focus was placed on promoting emotional and mental wellbeing with strategies and techniques such as theraplay and mindfulness used by both staff and young people. Young people were doing well in education. Staff worked hard to provide the right individual support to each young person to ensure their school day was positive. They had established meaningful relationships with key school staff to ensure that there was a shared commitment to that young persons ongoing success. Young people were cared for by an experienced, well qualified team who wanted them to do well. In addition to the young people living at the service staff continued to support young people after they had moved on from the service. For some this was structured support, others more occasional contact. This gave a very positive message to young people that the adults who cared for them would continue to be interested and supportive long after they had moved on from the service. Recruitment and induction procedures were robust. Prospective staff attended an assessment centre for a full days interview, which included young people. Corporate and service specific induction was provided, with shadowing opportunities for new staff. Service specific induction was being further developed at the time of the inspection and will further improve already good procedures. Within the service regular team meetings provided the opportunity for ongoing support, and to reflect, and plan for the future. A team action plan had been developed which would be a standing agenda item at meetings to ensure a focussed response to action points. Information about best practice documents, and relevant literature was shared, with visitors from external agencies invited to share information about their service and ways in which they could work alongside the team in providing advice and support. There was a positive culture of learning at the service, encouraged and supported by senior staff. The organisation had made a huge commitment to high quality relevant training, further supported through various page 3 of 8

4 professional practice groups which staff could attend. Staff had very good opportunities to both learn, and to discuss and share good practice. What the service could do better A recommendation was made at the last inspection that all staff receive formal supervision. This remains a recommendation. While there were a number of ways in which staff were supported informally (including an 'open door' policy and informal supervision from accessible senior staff) there was a need to establish formal one to one supervision to ensure staff had the opportunity to receive this support. (See recommendation 1.) Incident notifications had not been made to the Care Inspectorate as required. This should be immediately rectified and notifications made as stated in the Care Inspectorate publication 'Records that all registered care services (excluding childminding) must keep and guidance on notification reporting'. (See recommendation 2.) Medication procedures were in place, however, were not being effectively used to ensure good recording and auditing. This was discussed and being rectified at the time of the inspection (therefore no recommendation has been made). The organisation was reviewing the training staff received in behaviour support. At the time of the inspection staff had not received accredited training, however, there were firm plans in place to deliver this very soon after the inspection. Progress in relation to this will be examined at the next inspection. Requirements Number of requirements: 0 Recommendations Number of recommendations: 2 1. All staff should receive formal supervision at the frequency required by the organisation. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state that, 'I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, and are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes'. (HSCS 3.14) 2. Incidents should also be notified to the Care Inspectorate as detailed in the Care Inspectorate publication 'Records that all registered care services (excluding childminding) must keep and guidance on notification reporting'. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards which state that, 'I experience high quality care and support based on relevant evidence, guidance and best practice'. (HSCS 4.11) page 4 of 8

5 Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 30 Jun 2017 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very good 17 Jun 2016 Unannounced Care and support 5 - Very good 5 - Very good 18 May 2015 Unannounced Care and support 6 Nov 2014 Unannounced Care and support 19 May 2014 Unannounced Care and support 21 May 2014 Re-grade Care and support 4 Dec 2013 Unannounced Care and support page 5 of 8

6 Date Type Gradings 10 Jun 2013 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak 18 Feb 2013 Unannounced Care and support 5 Jul 2012 Unannounced Care and support 25 Oct 2011 Unannounced Care and support 24 Aug 2011 Unannounced Care and support 2 - Weak 2 Dec 2010 Unannounced Care and support 22 Jun 2010 Announced Care and support 1 Feb 2010 Unannounced Care and support page 6 of 8

7 Date Type Gradings 2 - Weak 10 Jul 2009 Announced Care and support page 7 of 8

8 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 8 of 8