Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in St Helens

Unique reference number SC022438 Inspection date 24/05/2011 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/03/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

This home is one of 11 children's homes that are owned and operated by this private company. The home provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties, aged eight to 17 years.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be satisfactory .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress in relation to their starting points and are doing well in a supportive environment. Effective care planning means young people receive personalised care, which is tailored to their individual needs. Young people are able to contribute to their care planning and reviews. Some issues, such as locking the kitchen door, have not been discussed with the placing authority. Young people have positive relationships with staff and say they feel listened to and their wishes and feelings are valued. Young people are happy here and are protected from harm.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well maintained. Risk assessments identify potential risks and effectively minimise them. Records and documentation are generally well maintained and contain all the required information although, there are some shortfalls within the pocket monies, clothing allowances, training records and notifications to Ofsted. Good links between the home and school mean young people are making good progress and are achieving well. Young people are taught to respect differences and to be tolerant of others. As a result young people demonstrate a mature attitude to other people’s needs and feelings. They demonstrate increasing independence and enjoy the opportunities to travel to school on their own.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are cared for by qualified, experienced staff who are appropriately vetted. This ensures young people are safe, are protected from harm and are cared for by staff who understand their needs and behaviours. Young people's health needs are managed well and they enjoy a generally healthy diet. Young people have a say in the home and how it is run. They make informed choices about their care and say that they have a lot of say in the home.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) in relation to a children's home any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in schedule 5 takes place the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 (Regulation 30 (1)) 14/06/2011

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure monitoring systems effectively identify any omissions with regards to the required documentation and to ensure all risk are identified (NMS 21.2)  enhance young people's understanding of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in particular that they consistently enjoy a healthy diet (NMS 6.2)  ensure the training and development records clearly identify when staff have undertaken training, their qualifications and provide insight as to when refresher training is required in particular the administration of medication (NMS 18.2)  ensure physical restrictions on the normal movement within the home, in particular the kitchen, are not used unless they are fully risk assessed and have been agreed with the responsible authority and if appropriate the parents. (NMS 10.4)  ensure information held about the young people is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to a young person when they access their files now or in the

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Recommendations

future, having particular regard for the record of pocket monies, clothing allowances and the missing from care records. (NMS 22.3)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from individualised support, which helps them grow in confidence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are generally healthy and have a sound understanding of leading a healthier lifestyle. They are aware that they need to attend regular health check ups such as the dentist and optician to maintain a good level of health. However, they do not always eat a healthy diet as they can become obsessive about certain foods. Young people are doing very well at school and have a positive outlook with regards to their education. They attend mainstream school and their attendance is very good. As a result they are making as much progress as possible in relation to their starting points. Young people are confident to use public transport to school, which enables them to meet with their friends on the way.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are being prepared well to become more independent and make a successful transition to adult life, appropriate to their age and level of understanding. Young people are routinely involved in the running of the home, including cleaning their bedrooms, shopping, tidying and managing money. As a result they understand about managing on a budget and about household chores. They enjoy positive relationships with staff and know that they can talk to them. Consequently, young people know that they are listened to and feel more confident to deal with new or ongoing situations.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have a positive view of themselves and of others. They are respectful of other people's opinions and consider these when making decision about themselves. Good contact arrangement with families and friends means young people are able to sustain positive relationships with people who are important to them. Contact arrangements are planned well to ensure the safety and well-being of the young people, whilst not being intrusive.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Young people enjoy positive relationships and constructive relationships with staff. They are pleased to see staff who have not been at the home for some time and eagerly bring them up-to-date with what has been happening. Young people say the staff are really good, they listen to them and take them out to buy things for their birthday. Good arrangements are in place to ensure young people are able to have regular contact with their families. Consequently, they are able to maintain positive relationships with those people who are important to them. Young people are generally well behaved and have an understanding of right and wrong. They have a clear understanding of the house rules and potential consequences to inappropriate behaviour. Staff's ability to talk thing through with young people and their positive approach to behaviour management results in minimal sanctions being imposed.

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Quality of care

Young people say they have 'a lot of say' in what happens in the house as it is their home. Their views are actively sourced by staff and means young people have a strong sense of ownership and feel valued. Young people are aware that they may not be able to act upon some of their requests, but say that staff make it very clear to them as to the reasons why. For example, this may impact upon their safety and well- being. Young people know how to make a complaint and know that their concerns are listened to and acted upon. As they are kept fully informed of any investigation and the outcome of their concern. There have been no complaints for some time.

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Quality of care

Detailed care plans are in place and are tailored to the individual needs of the young person. Consequently, young people's needs are met well. Reviews take place within the recognised timescales and young people are actively involved throughout the process and know their views are given full consideration by the panel. This effectively empowers young people and means they feel their wishes and views are valued. Young people's meetings provide another effective avenue for young people's voices to be heard. They are keen to discuss future activities such as a trip to Blackpool and to arrange a haircut. Staff have a good understanding of young people they are working with ensuring their needs are consistently met.

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Quality of care

The provides a healthy environment in which young people are able to access the services and support they need to meet their physical, emotional and psychological health needs. Staff effectively source support from other services and helping agencies, such as CAHMS. This means young people receive the right support when they need it. Young people received good support with regards to their education. As a result they are making good progress at school and have a secure group of friends. Excellent support is provide by staff to enable young people to make progress and achieve their individual goals. The opportunities to read with staff each evening has improved upon young people's reading skills. Staff are inventive in their approach to education using technology, to enhance young people's spelling capabilities in a fun way. The results of this is evident in young people's school reports which show an

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Quality of care

increase in grades. Young people have a thirst for information about historical events especially World War 2. Staff actively encourage this and support young people in the purchase of items such as figures and DVD's about the war.

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Quality of care

Staff are careful to balance young people enthusiasm for some symbols related to this period with the need to be respectful of the needs of others. Young people say that they would like to buy certain items, but staff have explained that some people may find these offensive. These frank and in-depth discussions enable young people to consider the appropriateness of some items and whilst they say they would still like them, identify that it may not be a good idea. Also this enables young people to be considerate of the needs and wishes of others and to explore how these symbols have a different meaning for others. For example, they explain that this is also a Buddhist symbol for peace.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy a wide range of interesting activities throughout the year. Staff use young people's interest effectively to enable them to have a fun day out whilst extending their learning. For example touring castles to support their interest in history or visiting a favourite museum because, 'its great there and there's lots of stuff to do'. Young people say they like to do certain activities with specific staff as it is more fun.

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Quality of care

The home is in a quiet residential area and the property blends into the neighbourhood. Young people have their own bedrooms which are highly personalised and reflect the young people's interests and personal style. The home provides a homely environment, is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people are very settled, have a strong sense of belonging and say that they are happy living here.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is satisfactory at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. Young people live in a safe environment where they are protected from harm and have a sense of safety and well- being. Young people say that staff keep them safe and 'staff are good to me'. Young people are safeguarded because staff have a secure understanding of the individual needs and the home's safeguarding procedures. This means they are clear on the action to take to protect young people from harm. Staff’s positive relationship with social workers and other agencies means they are informed of any issues which may impact upon young people's safety and well-being. Clear information about staying safe is provided to young people, which enables them to keep themselves safe when away from home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people rarely go missing. On the odd occasion that this has occurred they have returned quickly and safely. Clear procedures are in place should this occur and these are understood by staff. This means they are able to respond quickly to ensure the safety of young people. Young people are aware of the house rules and say that they are 'ok'. They are aware of the possible consequences to inappropriate behaviour and feel these are fair. Young people's comments in records show that they are able to reflect upon their behaviour, consider it’s implications upon themselves or others and feel confident to apologise to others.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff actively promote positive behaviour, are positive role models to young people and provide clear explanations to them. This enables young people to consider their options in relation to situations and come to informed decisions about how to proceed. Staff are aware of young people's vulnerability and the risks they face in the community. They use clear risk assessments to effectively protect young people, while balancing the need to protect young people with the opportunity for them to take safe risks. As a result young people are able to enjoy social experiences, such as travelling to school alone and going on a bike ride as any other young person that age might.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a physically safe environment. They are protected by a range of health and safety procedures and risk assessments. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks including fire drills to ensure the premises are safe and young people know what to do in an emergency. Risk assessments are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they remain current. However, the current practice of locking the kitchen after young people have gone to bed has not been risk assessed. Staff state this is to protect young people as they can 'mess about in the kitchen'. This practice has not been agreed with the placing authority and may be seen as a restriction of young people's liberty.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safe recruitment procedures ensure young people are cared for by staff who are suitably experienced, qualified and vetted. Young people are encouraged to take part in the recruitment process which means they are able to have a say in who looks after them. All visitors to the home are recorded in the visitor’s book and are appropriately supervised to ensure young people are protected from harm.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are satisfactory . Young people live in home which is appropriately managed. Young people, their families and placing authorities are clear about the services and support the home provides as the provider meets the aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose. There is currently no registered manager in post. The management of the home is overseen be a senior member of staff and the registered manager of one of the organisation’s other homes. These arrangements are generally satisfactory however they have not identified the shortfalls within some records.

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Leadership and management

Staff on duty during the inspection are not permanently based at the home, but say they are fully aware of the needs of the young people and have appropriate support from managers. Monthly team meetings and records of these mean all staff are aware of the young people's ever changing needs consequently, young people receive good care and support. There are good opportunities for staff to attend training courses and mandatory training which means staff are able to provide effective care and support to young people. However, the systems for recording when training has taken place are not sufficiently robust; they do not identify if staff actually attended the training nor indentify when refresher courses are due.

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Leadership and management

Records and documentation are generally well maintained although the recording systems for young people's pocket monies and clothing allowances do not provide a clear audit trail. They do not show the actual monies taken out by the young people and the actual balances and young people are not signing the records as per the company's policy. The missing from care records give a basic outline of when young people go missing, but does not include a reference to the incident record where the actual detail of the event is recorded. Young people are encouraged to sign other records made about them, such as the sanctions log. This provides young people with the opportunity to have a say in how they feel about the incident and promotes transparency. Clear procedures are in place for ensuring the appropriate agencies are informed of any significant events. However the home failed to notify Ofsted of an incident regarding a member of staff, which is a breach of regulation.

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Leadership and management

Monitoring systems are satisfactory. Regulation 33 and regulation 34 visits and reports are completed on a monthly basis. However, they have not identified the shortfalls within some records or risk assessments. There is no development plan in place for the home, which identifies the strength or issues to be addressed within the home. This impacts upon the home’s ability to move forward. Young people's information is stored securely within the office and staff ensure all telephone calls in relation to young people are held in private. This ensure confidentiality and the young people's privacy is maintained.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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