Children's Home run by Friends Therapeutic Community Trust in Cambridgeshire

SC025733 Unique reference number 6 October 2009 Inspection date Lindsey Blickem Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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23 October 2008 Date of last inspection .

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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.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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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. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733

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Brief description of the service

Glebe House is a therapeutic community specialising in work with young men aged between 16 and 19 years on admission, who have been identified as perpetrators of sexual abuse, which can include serious criminal offences. Some young people may also have been victims of abuse.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides a therapeutic programme, designed to assess and offer treatment for the abusive behaviour. Young people have an individual therapeutic programme (ITP) which is constantly adjusted and updated to prepare them for eventual reintegration into the community.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection the home was caring for 13 young people.

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Summary

This was an announced key inspection. All key national minimum standards were inspected. The progress made since the previous inspection in November 2008 was also monitored.

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Summary

The overall rating is outstanding. Being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, achieving economic well-being and organisation are all rated outstanding.

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Summary

Young people are provided with excellent support with their health needs and are actively engaged with the community's therapeutic programme. Risk is comprehensively assessed and effective strategies are in place to ensure young people enjoy an active life whilst also receiving intensive support to reduce risks associated with their behaviour. Consultation with young people on a day to day basis is outstanding and they are fully involved with the running of the home and their views and taken seriously. Bullying is proactively and effectively addressed within the community. Young people's needs are comprehensively assessed and regularly reviewed in light of the progress they make and individual treatment plans are highly individualised and ensure that young people receive the support they need. The accommodation is large, homely and very well maintained. The on site facilities available to young people are

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Summary

excellent. Educational and training opportunities are outstanding and ensure that young people receive support to gain academic and vocational qualifications within a well rounded learning environment. The community is extremely well managed and staff are highly experienced and well qualified. Staff support and training is excellent. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations raised following the last inspection. The community continues to have an effective system for review and development in place ensuring continuous improvements are made.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people are given excellent support with their health and medical needs. Menus are planned in advance by young people and are well balanced and substantial. Meals are varied and include a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables. Lunch is the main meal 4 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733 of the day and all staff and young people sit together in the dining room which is well furnished. Lunch is a very sociable occasion and there is a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Tea is planned dependent upon what activities are on offer and at what stage each young person is at in terms of their independence program and may involve them preparing their own meals. Staff do support and assist with the preparation of meals and one evening per week the cookery club are responsible for preparing the evening meal for the whole community. There is an excellent balance between ensuring young people enjoy a healthy and well balanced diet whilst also

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Helping children to be healthy

giving them the responsibility for preparing their own meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people attend regular routine health appointments including trips to the dentist, optician and GP. Staff provide excellent support for young people with specific health or medical needs for example there is excellent communication with the local surgery or hospital ensuring that specific health related conditions are well managed. Staff provide excellent care and supervision for young people who are admitted to hospital and demonstrate outstanding commitment to ensuring that they feel comfortable and well cared for. Young people also engage with the personal, social and health education programme which is provided as part of their education and training programmes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The system for administering medication is efficient and safe. Clear records are made of any medication given to young people and there is a very good system in place for monitoring young people with specific health needs. This ensures that staff know when to access extra support and advice from medical professionals when needed. There is clear written guidance available to staff in relation to administering medication and in relation to how to manage specific health needs. Medication is stored securely within the locked cupboard and is only accessible to staff.

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Helping children to be healthy

In addition to excellent support with specific health or medical needs young people actively engage with a programme of support which includes psychotherapy and group work. This support is specifically designed to assist young people to manage their own needs in relation to potentially harmful behaviours they are at risk of displaying. The therapeutic element to the care young people receive is an essential and successful aspect of the service and enables them to move on positively with their lives.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. There is an excellent balance between ensuring young people are afforded an appropriate level of privacy whilst also successfully managing risk in relation to behaviour. All young people have their own bedrooms and can spend time alone if they choose to without unnecessary intrusion from staff or other young people. Staff monitor and supervise young people in order to manage risk safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no formal complaints made by young people for some considerable time although the complaints system is well known and accessible to young people. Community meetings actively encourage and support young people to raise concerns or issues which are addressed by the community as a whole. This forum allows concerns to be addressed quickly and successfully. Although these forums can at times be challenging in terms of young people being accountable for their own behaviour they are successful in ensuring that their views are openly and actively discussed and resolved. 5 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733 All staff receive training in safeguarding and issues in relation to risk and protection are well known. All young people have a comprehensive risk assessment in place which highlights specific issues in relation to their behaviour which may present risks to themselves or others. These risks are managed extremely well by the community and each risk assessment has strategies in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

place to enable young people to overcome any difficulties. This process allows staff and young people to successfully manage risk. Staff are highly knowledgeable about safeguarding issues and how protect young people from harm. There is excellent communication with other statutory agencies in relation to how risk is managed and young people are actively encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour whilst also given a significant amount of support from the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying behaviour is openly and actively discussed during community meetings and all young people have the opportunity to express their views whilst also being openly challenged where they have experienced difficulties managing their behaviour. Whilst these meetings actively discuss and address relationship problems staff also monitor and address bullying behaviours with individuals which may include forming part of their therapeutic program. Bullying is also discussed during group work sessions, drama workshops and within the education programme which enables young people to learn about bullying and its impact on others.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no episodes of missing from home for some considerable time. There is a low threshold in relation to young people missing from the community given the risk they may pose to the community. Risk assessments clearly state what risks young people may present if they are unsupervised in the community and are therefore closely supervised throughout the day and night. The whereabouts of all young people are well known to staff and young people are responsible for planning their days and communicating this in community meetings. There is a clear process in place if young people do go missing which involves calling statutory agencies immediately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management techniques are excellent. Young people are made accountable for their actions which includes making amends for negative behaviour which has had an impact on the community. Consequences for negative behaviour include repaying, through pocket money, for damage to property, being grounded or increased supervision where risks have been identified following negative or potentially harmful behaviour. All measures of control are recorded in the significant events log and include all relevant details including any outcome. Physical restraint is only used when necessary and all staff receive training in how to safely physically restrain. Details of incidents involving physical restraint are clearly recorded in the significant events log and include details of the intervention. Young people are accountable to the community and any issues in relation to poor behaviour are actively discussed during community

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

meetings. These meetings allow young people to openly and safely confront one another about behaviours and also involve individuals negotiating appropriate sanctions. This process enables young people to reflect and take responsibility for their behaviour whilst also being accountable to the community.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from the risk of fire through regular checks and tests of fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire fighting equipment and annual services. All young people participate in practice evacuations to ensure they know how to respond in the event the alarms are activated. All staff receive fire safety training and clear, accurate records are made of any check or test. 6 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733 Recruitment and vetting of staff is appropriately robust ensuring that young people are cared for by staff who have been subject to checks including; enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks, two written references, confirmation of identification and a full work history including explanations of any gaps in employment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people are given excellent support on a day to day basis through individual and community meetings. Specific therapeutic programmes are in place for each young person which is designed according to their assessed needs. Community meetings are both supportive and challenging enabling young people to reflect on their behaviour whilst also being made accountable. Staff are accessible throughout the day and the their relationships with young people are extremely positive. The balance between a challenging and sometimes difficult regime together with a friendly and caring environment is exceptional and allows young people to work through difficult issues within a safe and supportive environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational and training opportunities are excellent. Young people access mainstream education opportunities including GCSE and A level courses as well vocational courses including National Vocational Qualifications in car maintenance, construction and horticulture. The community works hard to ensure that young people have the foundations of an education that allows them to move on in to work or further training when they leave. The skills and qualifications they acquire are relevant to industry. All young people are required to attend life skills workshops almost every day which enables them to learn skills to deal with life beyond the community. There are also opportunities to learn information and communication technology skills, arts and crafts and other practical skills which ensures young people receive a well rounded education whilst in the community.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The range of on site activities available to young people is excellent and include go karting, sports and cookery classes. This is in addition to them having access to computer games, DVDs and television. Young people are responsible for running their own club which requires each of them to pay fees and allows them to borrow games and DVDs on a regular basis. This enables them to take responsibility for their own recreation whilst also learning organisational and budgeting skills. There are also regular off site activities including badminton, trips to the gym, theatre and shopping trips providing them with an active and enjoyable social life. There were several planned holidays during the summer including a narrow boat holiday, a week long coastal walking holiday and a week in Cornwall.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people's needs are comprehensively assessed within placement plans and include details relating to contact, education, health, social presentation emotional and behavioural development and independence. Plans includes what therapeutic input the young person will receive as well as what support with education and health they will have access to. Plans specifically address the reasons why a young person is referred to the community including historical information. Each young person has a comprehensive risk assessment in place which takes account of any potential offending behaviour and what strategies are in place to manage this. Placement plans are regularly updated through review meetings and progress or the need for additional support or intervention is addressed. Education and progress with training is 7 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733 comprehensively assessed and reviewed to ensure that young people receive appropriate support

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to enable them to achieve. Health related issues are addressed and planned for and include support for ensuring day to day issues are appropriately managed whilst also addressing any specific health related issues.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contact arrangements are supported and encouraged by staff and placement plans include relevant details about family relationships and any restrictions or issues in relation to contact. Where appropriate staff actively support contact arrangements providing transport and supervision. Risks associated with contact arrangements are assessed and strategies are in place to address these. Young people are supported and encouraged to maintain contact with significant people safely and in a planned way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The admission process is carefully planned from the point of referral. Young people who are initially accepted into the community are assessed for one week after which a decision is reached as to whether the community is able to meet their needs. The young person must demonstrate a commitment to their own progress and to the community culture in order that the placement is successful. Information about what the commitment involves is clearly communicated to them to enable them to make an informed decision about continuing with the placement. The community is very careful to admit young people who are ready and willing to engage whilst also ensuring that staff are able to meet their needs whilst they are there. Leaving the community is carefully planned and young people are given a significant amount of support to leave positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Consultation with young people is exceptional. Opportunities to discuss issues relating to the day to day running of the home as well as being involved with planning their own days are excellent. Within each of the three community meetings held every day young people are given the opportunity to discuss any issues which may be of concern whilst also taking responsibility for planning and reviewing their day. Young people are responsible for chairing meetings and they do so with great skill and enthusiasm. Discussions are at times challenging but managed well to allow young people to discuss issues openly and constructively. Views and opinions expressed during meetings are taken seriously and preserve a democratic community based on respect.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent support with preparation for adulthood. As part of the education and training opportunities young people are able to gain vocational qualifications relevant to industry and enables them to find employment more easily. Young people are also encouraged and supported to learn independence skills such as cooking, budgeting and other domestic chores through being actively involved in the running of the community. Leaving the community is carefully planned so that opportunity is created within each of the young people's programme that allows them time and support in preparing to move one. Learning practical household chores forms part of NVQ training programmes which enables them to learn about safety and how to manage their own home.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy living in a community which is clean, tidy and well furnished and there is access to excellent on site facilities. The outside facilities includes a go kart track, a multi surface sports area, a playing field, workshops, greenhouse and vegetable patch. The independent flats for older young people contains good kitchen facilities and the main dining room is large and 8 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733 well furnished. The lounge in the main house has a seating area and pool table. The kitchen is large and has well maintained facilities. Bedrooms are well furnished with a bed, wardrobe and chest of draws. The theatre is multi purpose and provides space for community meetings, drama groups and other project work. The site spans quite a large geographical area but is self contained and has a calm and pleasant atmosphere.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The statement of purpose and children's guide are unchanged since the last inspection and provide comprehensive written information about the services and facilities available within the community.

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Organisation

Young people benefit from being cared for by staff who receive excellent support and training opportunities. The staffing structure is comprehensive and ensures that each staff member has clearly defined role and includes taking responsibility for an aspect of the service provided to young people. This ensures that staff development is encouraged whilst also providing a comprehensive service to young people. The staff team has significant collective experience of working with young people and there are a number of staff who are professionally trained in either social work or therapeutic techniques. All staff receive monthly professional supervision from a dedicated supervisor and training needs and professional development is comprehensively reviewed every year. Any shortfalls or areas for development are identified during this formal review which ensures that the service continues to improve. All staff receive mandatory training

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Organisation

in de-escalation techniques and physical restraint, safeguarding, fire safety and food hygiene. Additional staff are actively encouraged to engage in NVQ training as well as working towards other professional qualifications.

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Organisation

Monthly visits on behalf of the responsible individual are undertaken by trustees. Visits include looking at relevant records, the accommodation and talking to young people. Each visit includes looking at a specific standard or group of standards in order to assist with measuring the quality of service provided to young people.

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Organisation

Case files contain all required information and are kept securely within the staff office. Information contained within case files has significant information about the progress made by young people whilst living in the community.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding. Young people receive individualised care and their specific needs are very well met. The culture of the home reflects the backgrounds of young people cared for and there are good opportunities for young people to learn about different cultures.

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Organisation

Overall the home is extremely well managed and ensures that young people receive an outstanding service in which staff are highly professional and there is a caring culture throughout the community. 9 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 10 of 10 Inspection Report: SC025733

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