Children's Home run by Fairways Care (UK) Limited in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Unique reference number SC391708 Inspection date 25/05/2011 Inspector Maureen Hamer Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/12/2010 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 provision is a children's home, which is owned by a private company. It is registered for up to two young people of either gender from 11 years to under 18 years of age. The home provides care for young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties as well as physical and learning difficulties. The home is situated in a residential area. It is easily accessible by car and public transport. The home is a detached chalet bungalow with off-road parking at the front and gardens to the rear.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

The needs of the individual are central to this service. Good progress is evident in a number of key areas in particular: reducing challenging behaviours; developing positive relationships with family and by making new friends and developing new skills that develop confidence. There is evidence of a significant improvement in the way in which self-confidence and a respect for others has developed. In addition young people attend school and demonstrate an increased focus on learning. The staff team maintain a focus on young people's needs and are motivated to help young people succeed. A social worker commented the progress that has been made would have been unthinkable eighteen months ago. The staff are encouraged, by the acting manager, to work as a team and to strive to be focused on individual needs.

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Overall effectiveness

The recommendations from the last inspection have been met by putting fire drills in place at regular intervals and by producing a children's guide which is individualised.

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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) compile a written statement of purpose which includes matters listed in schedule 1 which includes: A description of the children's home underlying ethos and philosophy, and where this is based on any theoretical or therapeutic models provide a description of that model (Regulation 4 (1) (11)) 26/07/2011 (2001) prepare and implement a up-to-date written policy which sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect. In particular provide for prompt referral to the local authority in whose area the children's home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home (Regulation 16 (1) (b) 2 (b)) 26/07/2011

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) give notice in writing to the HMCI as soon as it is practicable to do so if any of the following events take place or are proposed to take place- a person other than the registered person carries on or manages the children's home; A person ceases to carry on or manage the home. (Regulation 38 (a) (b)) 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

 up-date the home's procedures so they are compatible with: Runaway and Missing from Home and Care protocols and procedures maintained and managed by the local police or authority for the area in which the home is located. Staff are also kept up-to-date with the procedures (NMS 5.6)  improve cover on all shifts by having a shift leader who has successfully completed their induction and probationary periods (NMS 17.5)  protect young people's privacy, this relates to entering young people's rooms with their consent. (NMS 3.7)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good . Young people make good progress in relation to their starting point and thrive in a supportive environment which offers consistent boundaries. The home’s staff provides a positive and safe environment for young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties as well as physical and learning difficulties. Staff work with young people and partners to promote the strengths of young people, the focus is on relationships and taking responsibility for actions. This positive and encouraging approach has supported demonstrable improvement in young people’s sense of self- confidence particularly in a social context. Staff motivate and nurture young people by showing respect and promoting their interests. This is achieved by introducing new activities to develop a sense of responsibility and opportunities to develop a range of skills and to provide positive challenges. The staff have access to the

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Outcomes for children and young people

organisation’s therapist for additional advice and support, this enhances their skills and knowledge to enable them to work effectively with challenging young people. The Statement of Purpose states that the home has a therapeutic approach but does not provide sufficient information regarding the methodology or evidence of the approach to demonstrate its safe application. Young people are registered and engage with local NHS services, this contributes to normalising young people’s lives and providing access to a wide range of services to meet their needs.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The setting meets young people’s serious health needs. Risk assessments are carried out and reviewed to ensure that young people are safe whilst also enabling them to gain skills and experience and to enhance their self-confidence. Young people are protected from harm and safe use and recording of medication is demonstrated. The health plans clearly identify needs and consent forms are completed in the event that emergency aid is required. Eating nutritiously and taking exercise is successfully in place and has contributed to maintaining mobility. Young people routinely create the home’s menu and shopping list which provides variety and has a focus on healthy eating habits. This is done with assistance from staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people attend the local special educational needs school and attendance is good. The home works closely with school staff on developing positive behaviour and avoiding bullying, this has been very successful and has enabled the school to now focus on educational attainment. The staff help young people with homework and encourage reading by listening to young people reading and by reading to young people, thereby increasing their skills and self-confidence. Staff attend school events, maintaining close links and advocate for the child where appropriate.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people engage in helping with household tasks such as the laundry, shopping, preparing meals and some money management. Collectively, these tasks are supporting increased independence. Maintaining significant relationships for young people are very important and a key strength. Good relationships and contact arrangements are fully promoted. Family members are also invited to stay at the home. This engagement with family and where possible with friends reduces young people’s isolation and contributes towards improving social skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people clearly benefit from living in a home in which respect is given to how one feels and also promoting taking responsibility for actions. As a result progress can be seen in all other aspects of their lives. Young people grow in confidence which has a positive impact in how they manage disappointment and develop relationships.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy appropriate and positive relationships with staff members. This has contributed to improved outcomes. Staff listen to the young people’s views and respond in a constructive manner. Young people have learning and communication difficulties and are provided with time to express themselves. Staff are alert to early signs of anxiety to indicate when there might be an issue that needs to be explored, this has contributed to reducing the incidence of challenging behaviour. Young people’s rooms are entered without the consent of the young person impinging on their right to privacy. Complaints are managed in a sensitive manner with feedback to the young people and great care is being given to ensuring that the young people feel able to raise any concerns. It is clear that the young people’s views and wishes are taken into account in the running of the home. The young people’s Independent

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Quality of care

Reviewing Officer’s details are included in the individualised Children’s Guide. Reviews of young people utilise the views of young people gained by an independent advocate. The home uses key working sessions to address a range of issues ensuring that young people are effectively communicated with and their views listened to and acted upon.

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Quality of care

Individualised behaviour plans are in place, reviewed and up to date. Staff actively promote a range of activities that broaden experience, skills and provide opportunities to socialise. Young people are encouraged to invite friends to activities and to stay at the home to enhance their social skills. When friends stay young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their friends by, for example, providing them with refreshments.

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Quality of care

Young people’s files provide a record of aims and actions specific to the young person. The progress of this individualised approach is also evaluated. All staff members are aware of the plan and the required targets and this contributes to gaining a consistent approach to the care and support provided. The home produces a monthly report for the social worker, which feeds into the young people’s review.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. The safety and security of the young people is central to the care provided in this home. Good risk assessments are carried out, reviewed and up-dated against a range of activities. Staff encourage good behaviour by acting as role models and showing respect to other members of staff and to young people. The home successfully encourages young people to take responsibility for their own actions. They do this through a consequences and reward system that is individualised and proportionate. The effective use of boundaries and development of positive relationships with staff has led to a reduction in the use of physical restraints. All staff are trained in the use of de-escalation and physical intervention techniques to reduce the need for physical intervention and to ensure safety for young people when a physical restraint is applied.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There have been no concerns about young people being absent without authority, however to enhance young people’s safety there is a need to ensure that the home’s children going missing with out authority policy is compatible with the new guidance on children going missing. Staff are aware that bullying is not acceptable. In the event that bullying is identified staff are aware of the need to intervene where necessary to work where appropriate with other partners, such as schools, to support the person being bullied and the bully. Staff are aware of the whistle blowing policy and action to take when there is an allegation so that young people are kept safe. Staff have received safeguarding training to ensure the welfare of young people. However, who to refer to in the event of a disclosure is not clear.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from living in a home which provides physical safety and security. Fire safety checks are up to date. Risk assessments are in place for the building. Electrical and gas appliances are regularly checked and maintained. A health and safety officer checks that all checks have been completed on a monthly basis. A sprinkler system has been put in place.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home can evidence an appropriate recruitment process and careful vetting process has been undertaken. This enhances the recruitment of appropriate staff to secure the welfare of young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . The Statement of Purpose of the home reflects the aims and objectives of the service. The home offers a therapeutic approach. To have confidence in its correct use to improve outcomes for young people, the evidence base and effectiveness of this approach should be detailed in the Statement of Purpose. The home has a good children's guide that is individualised to young people’s needs.

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Leadership and management

Young people are seen as individuals and staff advocate with partners on their behalf to fulfil their potential.

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Leadership and management

Young people receive care from a motivated, caring and supportive team. The staff group has significantly changed and great care has been given to ensure that young people are supported through the transition period including keeping in touch with staff that have left. The manager has succeeded in providing a stable and consistent environment which has enabled young people to achieve good outcomes. There is now a full complement of core staff and the change process is being managed well. However, all shifts are not always covered by someone on site who has completed the probationary periods to ensure young people’s needs can be met at all times to ensure that young people’s welfare is promoted at all times. The staff group are provided with good support using regular supervision, staff meetings as well as input from the organisation’s therapist. The organisation takes training seriously and has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring all staff have the appropriate National

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Leadership and management

Vocational Qualification and Children's Workforce Development Council training.

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Leadership and management

The last inspection made two recommendations: to review the young person’s guide to include a better summary of what the home sets out to do for children (such as information on bullying) and to contain accurate information. The children’s guide is comprehensive and individualised. The second recommendation was to ensure that at least four fire drills, including fire drill at night, take place in any 12 month period and are recorded. This has been fulfilled.

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Leadership and management

Young people and the staff team benefit from positive management. The staff and the young people have a strong and trusted relationship with the manager. Regular Regulation 33 visits are undertaken and submitted. The manager evaluates young people and engages with staff to continually improve the service.

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Leadership and management

The new acting manager has not submitted an application to Ofsted for registration.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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