Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC400880 Inspection date 27/06/2011 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/02/2011 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

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people of either gender, aged four to 17 years. The home provides care for children and young people with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The property is a converted farmhouse, set in 13 acres of grounds. It is located in a semi-rural area, within easy reach of shops, schools, public transport and various leisure and community facilities.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress in relation to their starting points and continue to thrive in a nurturing, supportive and homely environment. Staff encourage young people to reach their potential irrespective of their disability. Young people are achieving better outcomes in their education, social and emotional development and health and safety. They enjoy living in the home and have excellent relationships with staff. They comment: 'I feel safe and cared about, I really like them all.'

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's needs and views are central to the running of the home and they take an active role in care planning. Staff work constructively with young people, their families and professionals to gain their opinions and support in providing the best care to young people. Placement plans are detailed and focus upon the individual needs and strengths of young people. They have regular contact with their families and have a good understanding of their background and identity.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed and staff feel supported. While good monitoring scrutinises the quality of care there are some gaps relating to how data is utilised to continually improve the service to young people, in particular to the effectiveness of sanctions. Additionally, the Statement of Purpose and children's guide require updating to include further information.

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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) ensure that the Statement of Purpose includes the relevant qualifications and experience of persons working at the children's home. (Regulation 4 (1)) 25/07/2011

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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 that young people know how to contact the Children's Rights Director (NMS 1.5)  ensure that monitoring utilises the information on emerging patterns or trends to improve practice. This relates specifically to monitoring the effectiveness of sanctions (NMS 21.2)  ensure that sanctions and rewards for behaviour are clear, reasonable and fair and are understood by all staff and children. (NMS 3.8)

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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 achieve better outcomes across all aspects of their development, which helps them grow in confidence. Staff promote young people's independence and they are encouraged to take appropriate risks and responsibility for their age and understanding. They are involved in the daily running of the home, cooking, gardening, shopping and cleaning. These practices help equip young people with the skills and competence for adulthood.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people regularly take part in a range of activities including bike riding, swimming, walking, youth clubs, discos and holidays. They are registered with medical practitioners and have plans to meet their particular health needs. Staff work closely with health professionals to ensure young people's holistic needs are met. These practices ensure that young people enjoy good health and well-being.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff promote young people's educational achievement. They have an excellent record of school attendance and achieve their potential. Staff have constructive relationships with school and advocate on behalf of young people to ensure they get the support they need. Young people are encouraged to learn at home and staff assist them with their home work and spend time reading with them. They have space and privacy to study within the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have contact with their family as appropriate. Staff work closely with placing authorities to promote contact that is positive, safe and enjoyable. They facilitate contact within the home and encourage family to maintain relationships with young people. Staff value the importance of contact for young people in understanding their background and heritage. They are also aware of the emotional impact of contact upon young people and ensure that they are sensitively supported.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Young people thrive in a stable, nurturing and supportive environment. Young people comment: 'I love it here, I feel safe and cared about, I would give it top marks, one hundred percent.' They enjoy positive relationships with staff who have an excellent understanding of their individual needs. Detailed care planning, preparation and review contributes to the good standards of care received by young people.

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Quality of care

Young people are involved in the daily running of the home and their views are sought and responded to regularly. Staff have a range of communication skills to assist young people who cannot easily express their views. Young people know how to raise a complaint and have some information for independent advice. The children's guide is available in a format appropriate to the needs of young people; although it requires updating to include information on how to access the Children's Rights Director.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and social well-being is promoted. They engage in physical and social activities and have easy access to health care services to meet their individual needs. They are involved in menu planning and growing produce to encourage their interests and understanding of nutrition and health. Additionally, young people participate in cultural evenings to encourage their appreciation of different traditions.

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Quality of care

Staff engage with school on a daily basis to promote young people's educational achievement. As a result young people's attendance is excellent and they continue to progress. Staff emphasise the value of education and provide learning experiences to complement their education. These practices help young people achieve their potential.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a comfortable family home in a quiet semi-rural area that blends into the surroundings. The home is clean, decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people have their own bedrooms that are personalised and reflect their interests. They have space and privacy to see their families and to do their homework. This affords respect and dignity to young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. Young people are effectively safeguarded and protected from harm. Staff receive safeguarding training and have a good understanding of their duties in promoting young people's welfare. Staff policies and procedures are in place to ensure a robust response to any allegation or disclosure of abuse. Staff are very aware of young people's vulnerabilities and work with them individually to address any risks. Clear and detailed risk assessments and management plans provide an effective mechanism for responding to young people's changing needs for safety.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Constructive and warm relationships between staff and young people provide the basis for managing negative behaviour. Staff emphasis reward and praise and restraints are used as a last resort only. There are no incidents of bullying or young people missing from home. Staff undertake training in positive behaviour management strategies and recordings of sanctions are reviewed and include the opportunity for young people to record their views. However, they are not clearly analysed which means that the effectiveness of the sanction is not fully determined.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a physically safe environment in which health and safety matters are fully considered. Written records show that staff carry out routine health and safety checks around the home. Safety and insurance certificates are up to date and regular fire drills take place to ensure young people and staff are aware of an emergency evacuation route in the event of a fire. Staff are vigilant and take appropriate steps to verify visitors identity to ensure the safety of young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from a competent and experienced staff team. A thorough recruitment process, Criminal Records Bureau and reference checks are all undertaken before any appointment of staff is made. Staff are subject to an induction and probationary period of work to further ensure their competence in caring for young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . Young people live in a home that is effectively managed in their best interests. The service meets the aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose and young people, staff and social workers are clear about the aims and facilities of the home. However, the statement of purpose requires updating to reflect the qualifications and experience of each member of staff. The registered manager provides leadership and accountability and works closely with staff and young people to ensure the smooth running of the home.

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Leadership and management

Quality assurance systems are in place to monitor the care received by young people, these include monthly visits by a designated person in accordance with regulation. Although, monitoring is good not all the data is fully analysed to identify continual improvement. This means that any emerging patterns or trends are not always utilised to develop the service further and improve outcomes. The registered manager is well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and requirements and recommendations are promptly followed up and implemented. Developmental plans are in place and show a commitment to young people for improvement.

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Leadership and management

Staff are very well supported by the manager who demonstrates a commitment to professional development. They have relevant qualifications and experience in working with young people. Staff have regular supervision, appraisals, team meetings and training opportunities that contribute to their competence in providing good care to young people. They confirm that the manager is available to them and that they enjoy the work they do.

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Leadership and management

Staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and have high expectations for young people. They understand young people's individual strengths and needs and encourage them to reach their potential. Staff have easy access to policies and literature on equality and diversity. Recording of information is good and provides a picture of young people's daily lives. Young people's information is securely stored and shared in a confidential manner to protect their safety and privacy.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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