After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry) Day Care of Children Murthly Primary School Murthly Perth PH1 4HB Telephone: 01738 710121 Inspected by: Morag Skinner Type of inspection: Unannounced Inspection completed on: 7 January 2013
Contents Page No Summary 3 1 About the service we inspected 5 2 How we inspected this service 6 3 The inspection 10 4 Other information 23 5 Summary of grades 24 6 Inspection and grading history 24 Service provided by: Kari Cowan Service provider number: SP2009976739 Care service number: CS2009236130 Contact details for the inspector who inspected this service: Morag Skinner Telephone 01383 841100 Email enquiries@careinspectorate.com After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 2 of 25
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 3 Adequate Quality of Environment 4 Good Quality of Staffing 1 Unsatisfactory Quality of Management and Leadership 1 Unsatisfactory What the service does well Both staff on duty were enthusiastic and interacted well with the children and with one another. There was a happy atmosphere and children were seen to be having fun. What the service could do better The service must immediately address the issues highlighted in the report in relation to having a clear written safer recruitment policy including a system to undertaking PVG checks and verify that staff are registered with an appropriate person or body where registration is required in order for them to carry out the duties for which they are employed. Medication procedures should be updated and improved. Staff should complete the written risk assessments daily prior to the start of each session. A trained first aider should be on duty at all times. What the service has done since the last inspection This is the first inspection since registration. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 3 of 25
Conclusion Children were happy within the club and comments received on the Care Inspectorate questionnaires indicated a high level of parent satisfaction. A good range of activities were available for all ages of children during the inspection. However the serious issues highlighted in the report in relation to the recruitment of staff must be addressed immediately. Who did this inspection Morag Skinner After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 4 of 25
1 About the service we inspected This service registered with the Care Inspectorate on 16 September 2011. The club can provide care to a maximum of 26 primary school children at any one time at Murthly Primary School and 12 primary school children at any one time at Pitlochry High School The club is managed by a private individual who works between the two settings spending approximately two sessions per week in each. The Pitlochry site has been operating since August 2012. There were 7 children present during the inspection. The service aims to provide a safe, fun and secure environment and to provide a quality care child centred facility. Based on the findings of this inspection this service has been awarded the following grades: Quality of Care and Support - Grade 3 - Adequate Quality of Environment - Grade 4 - Good Quality of Staffing - Grade 1 - Unsatisfactory Quality of Management and Leadership - Grade 1 - Unsatisfactory 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 www.careinspectorate.com or by calling us on 0845 600 9527 or visiting one of our offices. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 5 of 25
2 How we inspected this service The level of inspection we carried out In this service we carried out a low intensity inspection. We carry out these inspections when we are satisfied that services are working hard to provide consistently high standards of care. What we did during the inspection We wrote this report following an unannounced inspection by Morag Skinner Care Inspector. It took place on 4 December 2012. We gave feedback to the manager, by telephone on January 7 2013. No annual return was requested as this was the first inspection. We received a selfassessment before the inspection. We also sent the manager 10 questionnaires to issue to parents and carers and received six completed questionnaires prior to the writing of the report. In this inspection we gathered evidence from various sources, including the relevant sections of policies, procedures, records and other documents, including: evidence from the service's most recent self-assessment; policies on complaints, health and safety, child protection and medication ; medication records; one newsletter; observation of staff practice; observation of the premises at Pitlochry; comments book; discussions with three children, both practitioners on duty and telephone conversations with the manager; 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 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 6 of 25
Inspection Focus Areas (IFAs) Inspection report continued 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 www.firelawscotland.org After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 7 of 25
The requirement The provider must ensure that records detailing basic emergency contact details and a record of any relevant medical information must be kept for each child being cared for. This is to comply with: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 Welfare of users 4.-(1) A provider must- (a)make proper provision for the health, welfare and safety of service users; Timescale: Immediately upon receipt of this report. What the service did to meet the requirement The requirement is: The requirement The provider must supply a first aid kit to be available in each service setting at all times during the operation of the service. This is to comply with: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 Welfare of users 4.-(1) A provider must- (a)make proper provision for the health, welfare and safety of service users; Timescale: Within one working day of receipt of this report. What the service did to meet the requirement The requirement is: 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. A self assessment was completed showing what the service saw as their strengths and identifying areas for improvement. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 8 of 25
Taking the views of people using the care service into account "We play with lots of stuff like we're colouring in now." "We play with the dolls house and play with cars. I play chess. We love chess." "We don't like when we have to do work like tidying up." "It's fun here cos you get to play with lots of stuff." "The boys wanted bricks and we wanted the giant dominoes. We made a cake with the playdough. We've different colours." "I'm going to do a junk model now." "I had rice krispies for snack. If I didn't like it I could have had toast." "There's junk, cars, chess, bricks, Lego, the house, the Caterpillar tunnel, Twister and Frustration out." Taking carers' views into account Comments received on the Care Inspectorate questionnaires included: "The after school club is relatively new yet it has already developed, taking the children on outings and getting outside organisations in to visit the club. It is a very nice friendly group and I am happy that my son is well cared for and safe. Generally he doesn't want to leave!" "My child is well cared for. X has many opportunities to undertake different activities. The staff are all very approachable." "X loves going to after school club and is always full of ideas, excitement and chat about her time there." "Very large range of activities to cover a wide range and age of children." "Very friendly and helpful caring and excellent listeners." After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 9 of 25
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: 3 - Adequate 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 out of school club had a good approach to involving children and families in assessing and influencing the quality of care and support provided to their children. The service had put in place ways of encouraging parents and carers to make suggestions and comments for improvement. The service provided good information to parents and carers about what they could expect of the service. Daily verbal contact with parents provided opportunities for exchanging information. Written information was also available with a variety of informative notices and monthly newsletters. This meant that the information was accessible to all parents. Interactions between staff and children were seen to be supportive throughout the day. Examples of this were seen as the children played. This meant that staff could encourage good communication. Staff sought children's views and opinions throughout the session and there was evidence of this being incorporated into the children's "forward monthly planning" and through using fortnightly "brainstorming techniques". Children influenced the play activities and also what they were having for snack. We saw that some of their play ideas had included "Make a mini sledge out of junk", "Mini Santa out of bottles" and "Lego models". After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 10 of 25
Parents and children's questionnaires had been handed out on one occasion and comments had been used in order to improve practice in the service. When a parent had commented that they didn't know what was for snack the service had ensured all parents were signposted to the notice up on the door with the week's menu. Another parent requested better use of the community for the children's activities and the service was investigating use of a local swimming pool and Zumba classes. This meant that the service was responding to parent's suggestions. A comments book had been set up for parents. One comment had been received. "X and X always enjoy After School Club. Staff friendly and nothing a bother. Really grateful." This showed that the parent valued the club and what the staff were doing. We saw that parents had been asked to participate in the service by providing dressing up clothes for the children enjoyment at the After School Club. This indicated that the staff were trying to involve the parents and to show them what the children liked doing. Areas for improvement Consideration should be given to increasing ways of consulting further with children, parents and other stakeholders. Children did not always feel consulted. When asked if they chose what toys were set out each day responses included: "The things are laid out for us. The teachers do it. Some are in the cupboards. We have to ask the teachers." Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 11 of 25
Statement 3 We ensure that service users' health and wellbeing needs are met. Service strengths The service had an adequate range of methods in place to ensure that service users health and wellbeing needs were met. We took into account evidence obtained from: observation of staff working with children; discussions with staff; reading relevant policies and procedures; reviewing written risk assessments; reading children's records. We identified the following strengths: *?the session offered opportunities for quiet activities and more active times; * all children were offered a nutritious snack * children had opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles including exercising and the value of fresh air; * staff had taken part in child protection training and they had an understanding of what to do if they had concerns; Children's attendance was recorded by staff on arrival. This meant that staff were aware of the numbers in attendance and maintained an accurate record throughout the session. Although children did not have the opportunity to enjoy fresh air outside on the day of the inspection they made good use of the gym hall most days and the outdoor space. One of the children told us: "We play outside in the wee playground and sometimes we go to the top field. We like playing golf, tig and chase." This meant that all children could benefit from both fresh air and exercise as they played. We noted that healthy eating was being promoted and was incorporated into the snack menus. Children's comments included: "We have fruit and toast and cereal and crackers and crisps and we get juice and water and milk." Areas for improvement Inspection report continued There were matters relating to medication and children's health and wellbeing which needed to be improved. Medication had been received by staff for one child but it was still sealed in the chemist's bag. This meant that it had not been checked in properly. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 12 of 25
There was no form set up for recording the medication if it was administered. Staff were unsure if such a form existed though it was referred to in the medication policy. The procedures for the administration of medication were not robust. Medication should be reviewed monthly in line with our Health Guidance document, The Management of Medication in Daycare and Childminding Services, April 2011. The policy and procedure and practice for the administration of medication should be reviewed and improved. See requirement 1 statement 1.3 We saw that neither staff member on duty held an up to date first aid certificate. See recommendation 1 statement 1.3 Grade awarded for this statement: 3 - Adequate Number of requirements: 1 Number of recommendations: 1 Requirements 1. The provider must ensure that the policy and practice for the administration of medication is reviewed and improved in line with the document Health Guidance document, The Management of Medication in Daycare and Childminding Services, April 2011 in order to maintain the safety and well being of the children.. This is in order to comply with Regulation 4 (1)(a) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) Recommendations Inspection report continued 1. It is recommended that a qualified first aider is on duty at all times. National Care Standards early education and childcare up to the age of 16. Standard 2: A safe environment. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 13 of 25
Quality Theme 2: Quality of Environment Grade awarded for this theme: 4 - Good Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of the environment within the service. Service strengths See service strengths statement 1.1. Areas for improvement See areas for improvement statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 14 of 25
Statement 2 We make sure that the environment is safe and service users are protected. Service strengths This service was found to have a good performance in relation to this statement. To evaluate performance in this area we used observation of the environment and equipment, spoke to children, staff and parents and reviewed written documentation. The entry door was locked and parents pressed a buzzer to gain access. This meant that parents could be reassured about the safety of the children whilst at the after school club. There were a range of toys and equipment available for children to choose from and these allowed for the development of their imagination and their social and emotional skills. The outside play area, when available to the children, provided them with opportunities to interact imaginatively with one another and to run and play together. This meant that children could enjoy fresh air on good days, and we were told that they went outside approximately three times per week. There was evidence to support the service's good approach to child protection matters. The child protection policy detailed staff responsibilities. Staff were clear about what to do if they had concerns about a child in their care. This meant that staff knew where to access the correct contact numbers and what to do if worried or if their concerns were not being taken forward. They each worked in the school during the day and received child protection training annually as part of this role. Accident and incident forms were available but we were told that none had been required since the service started. Staff explained the use of the forms to us and it appeared that they were clear on when to use the forms and how to complete them. Areas for improvement We saw that risk assessments were in place. A write on wipe off board was used for this purpose. However it was not up to date and staff confirmed that they had not undertaken a risk assessment on the day of the inspection. See recommendation 1 statement 2.2 Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 1 Inspection report continued After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 15 of 25
Recommendations Inspection report continued 1. It is recommended that written risk assessments are completed daily prior to the children's arrival and that the records are maintained for future reference. This is to ensure a safe environment for children. This is in order to comply with: National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16- Standard 2 A safe environment After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 16 of 25
Quality Theme 3: Quality of Staffing Grade awarded for this theme: 1 - Unsatisfactory Statement 1 We ensure that service users and carers participate in assessing and improving the quality of staffing in the service. Service strengths See service strengths statement 1.1. Areas for improvement See areas for improvement statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of recommendations: 0 Number of requirements: 0 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 17 of 25
Statement 3 We have a professional, trained and motivated workforce which operates to National Care Standards, legislation and best practice. Service strengths The two staff on duty held qualifications which were appropriate for the roles in which they were employed to perform. Each was an experienced practitioner and was enthusiastic and motivated. These were the service's main strengths: Inspection report continued * We observed staff as they worked with children and found they were encouraging and caring. * Both staff on duty had had child protection training; We saw staff work well together and they had developed good relationships with the children and their families. Areas for improvement We found that the two members of staff who were on duty during the inspection had not yet applied for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). No staff working as practitioners were registered at the Pitlochry site. As the club had only been open in Pitlochry for three months this meant that the staff did not require to be registered as yet. However they should have applied for registration. We found that there was no safer recruitment policy or procedure in place. The provider had not checked the register of Scottish Social Services Council or other professional organisations to see if the staff held registration or were eligible for registration. See requirement 1 statement 3.3 We found that neither staff at Pitlochry nor one at Murthly had PVG membership. The provider has a duty to ensure that the service has followed a safe and rigorous process of recruitment to ensure the safety and well being of children. in order to do this the provider needs to undertake the relevant PVG checks etc The only way to know would have been to require PVG membership or an Enhanced Disclosure check when the staff had taken up employment with the service. See requirement 2 statement 3.3 We were unable during the inspection to verify the role of each staff member on duty or their qualifications. See requirement 3 statement 3.3 Grade awarded for this statement: 1 - Unsatisfactory Number of requirements: 3 Number of recommendations: 0 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 18 of 25
Requirements Inspection report continued 1. The provider must provide evidence to the Care Inspectorate that the service has in place a clear, written safer recruitment policy and procedure which includes systems for verifying that staff are registered with an appropriate person or body where required, in order to perform the duties for which they are employed. This is in order to comply with regulations 4(1)(a) and 9(1) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) Timescale 28 December 2012 2. The provider must evidence to the Care Inspectorate that all employees have had the appropriate criminal record check and are registered or have applied to register with the SSSC, where required, to perform duties for which they are employed. This is in order to comply with regulation 9(2)(c) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) Timescale 07 January 2013 3. The provider must provide the Care Inspectorate with details of all staff working in the service, their qualifications and the role in which they are deployed in the service. This is in order to comply with regulations 4(1)(a) and 15(a) of The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/210) Timescale 07 January 2013 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 19 of 25
Quality Theme 4: Quality of Management and Leadership Grade awarded for this theme: 1 - Unsatisfactory 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 See service strengths statement 1.1 Areas for improvement See areas for improvement statement 1.1 Grade awarded for this statement: 4 - Good Number of requirements: 0 Number of recommendations: 0 After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 20 of 25
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 The service's performance in this area was unsatisfactory Strengths included: *The service had submitted a self-assessment identifying its main strengths and areas for development prior to this inspection; * The provider manager had overall responsibility for the centre and provided managerial support to the staff team. * The provider manager demonstrated a commitment to working with children and parents to achieve ongoing improvements within the centre. Areas for improvement Effective monitoring and evaluation of practices would have identified shortcomings highlighted throughout this report at an early stage. Management should effectively monitor the service as a whole. See requirement 1 statement 4.4 Management monitoring of staff should be further extended to include all areas of their work and further consideration be given to the effectiveness of the systems already in place. This should be developed to supports the improvement of the service. See recommendation 1 statement 4.4 Grade awarded for this statement: 1 - Unsatisfactory Number of requirements: 1 Number of recommendations: 1 Requirements Inspection report continued 1. The provider must develop and implement an audit system to evaluate the effectiveness of the service to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the children. This is in order to comply with: The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011 SSI 2011/210 Regulation 4 (1) (a) Welfare of users. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 21 of 25
Recommendations Inspection report continued 1. A more rigorous system of monitoring and evaluation should be developed to support the improvement of the service. The manager should further develop the systems in place to monitor the quality of work of each staff member and the service as a whole. This is in order to comply with: National Care Standards Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16- Standard 14 A well managed service After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 22 of 25
4 Other information Complaints There have been no complaints action against this care service 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 SCSWIS re-grading the Quality Statement within the Management and Leadership Theme as unsatisfactory (1). This will result in the Quality Theme for Management and Leadership being re-graded as Unsatisfactory (1). After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 23 of 25
5 Summary of grades Quality of Care and Support - 3 - Adequate Statement 1 Statement 3 4 - Good 3 - Adequate Quality of Environment - 4 - Good Statement 1 Statement 2 4 - Good 4 - Good Quality of Staffing - 1 - Unsatisfactory Statement 1 Statement 3 4 - Good 1 - Unsatisfactory Quality of Management and Leadership - 1 - Unsatisfactory Statement 1 Statement 4 4 - Good 1 - Unsatisfactory 6 Inspection and grading history Date Type Gradings 27 Sep 2011 Unannounced Care and support 3 - Adequate Environment 4 - Good Staffing 4 - Good Management and Leadership 3 - Adequate All inspections and grades before 1 April 2011 are those reported by the former regulator of care services, the Care Commission. After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 24 of 25
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 0845 600 9527. 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: www.careinspectorate.com or by telephoning 0845 600 9527. Translations and alternative formats This inspection report is available in other languages and formats on request. Telephone: 0845 600 9527 Email: enquiries@careinspectorate.com Web: www.careinspectorate.com After School Club (Stanley/Murthly & Pitlochry), page 25 of 25