Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC061924 Inspection date 29/06/2011 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/03/2011 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

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of 12 years to 16 years, with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's views are taken into account and acted upon, they know their rights in relation to their care and feel confident that they can complain if things are not going well or as expected. Sanctions are used rarely but are fair. There is an ethos of positive reinforcement to change and challenge behaviours, and to promote a culture of achievement within the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Equality and diversity issues are positively addressed in both daily living and care planning. There are well-developed strategies within the home for the involvement of young people in their placement plans and daily choices. Young people are actively encouraged, enabled and supported by staff within the home, to contribute towards their daily care and to reflect on their placement progress. This practice promotes an environment of empowerment for young people, where they are encouraged to exercise a safe degree of self-control over their daily lives.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people say that they are listened to and feel safe within the home. There are regular young people's meetings and young people have key members of staff with whom can they talk to on a one-to-one basis if they are worried or upset. Young people enjoy good relationships with staff based on honesty and respect. Staff have clear professional and personal boundaries with young people consistent with good child care.

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Overall effectiveness

Placing social workers are very complimentary about the care young people receive. They inform that their young person is "very settled and content", "staff are very cooperative" and that they "can't praise the staff and management enough".

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Overall effectiveness

Placements are usually planned to ensure that the home is the right place for individual young people and is able to help them with their needs. This is the real strength of this home. They look carefully at the needs of the young people they have placed, along with the needs of a possible new child. This has resulted in some outstanding outcomes for the young people placed.

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Overall effectiveness

There are some minor shortfalls for improvement. These relate to revising the Statement of Purpose; adding young people’s views in documents and adding detail in some risk assessments, though they cover the pertinent issues.

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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) update and revise the statement of purpose. (Regulation 5) 31/08/2011

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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 all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support, for example through key workers sessions and throughout young people’s day to day documentation (NMS 1.3)  ensure that where any sanction, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  undertake and maintain, like a reasonable parent, the registered person needs to ensure that, within reason, hazards are removed or avoided. (Volume 5, statutory guidance, para 2.64)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding . Young people greatly benefit from individualised support, which helps them to grow in confidence. They are making excellent progress in developing positive and realistic views of themselves and their emotional resilience. Young people have strong, trusting relationships with staff, because staff value their opinions and treat them as individuals. Young people say that staff help them to deal with difficult situations. Consequently, young people are more able to deal positively with the issues going on around them.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that they help to plan at their weekly meetings, taking into account their individual preferences and trying new foods. Young people are actively encouraged to assist with preparing meals and shopping in preparation for adulthood.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have thorough health care plans. These allow for the health needs of young people to be assessed, monitored and appropriate action to be taken. Young people enjoy and participate in healthy activities and experiences, such as swimming, horse riding and various days out. Young people say that their health "wouldn't be as good as it is without the help and support given by the staff from the home". This demonstrates a commitment to providing young people with positive health outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are making excellent progress in their educational placements. Young people's preferences are taken into account and they have real opportunities to study and get work experience in areas that interest them. This means that young people receive considerable support to help them succeed and achieve. Young people benefit from staff attending all school events to support them. Young people’s achievements are celebrated and acknowledged in recognition of their positive progress. Social workers' who have placed in this service say they "can't get over the progress that their young person has made since being placed in this service". Young people have access to computers so that can continue with their learning and sustain contact with friends and family. Young people develop a real sense of self-worth and self-direction, as a result they can make choices and successfully challenge, where needed, in their everyday life.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people take part in a wide range of leisure activities. They have opportunities to develop confidence in their skills, enjoy their leisure time and try new things. Young people describe the activities and support from staff as really good. They spoke excitedly about shopping trips and days out at the seaside. This further develops confidence and encourages independence skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people maintain contact with families and friends, where appropriate. This helps young people to see their families regularly to support them maintaining relationships. Staff make sure that the arrangements for contact promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. Staff achieve this by working closely with young people’s families to ensure that contact is a positive experience for young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported to develop independence skills to prepare them for adulthood. Their plans reflect the varying degree of assistance they require to prepare them practically and emotionally for leaving care. Young people are encouraged to develop skills in a range of areas, for example meal preparation, budgeting skills and household chores. Young people receive incentives and praise, as they develop their skills and demonstrate their competence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Individual needs are assessed and addressed in a way that promotes young people’s dignity and privacy, differences are acknowledged and respected. Staff provide support unreservedly to young people, consequently young people have their needs acknowledged and they feel included and valued.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Staff consistently ensure the welfare of young people is paramount. They are committed to enabling young people to overcome the difficulties they may face to lead happy and fulfilling lives. Young people’s individual well-being is central to practice. Staff see young people in a positive and realistic light. Staff work with young people in an understanding and compassionate way. Young people receive individual support and reassurance. Staff spend time individually with young people and enjoy working with them and doing things together. As a result young people benefit from the positive relationships with staff and say, "I like living here, the staff are great and it is the best place I have ever been" and "staff are good, I like the home, it feels like mine and the staff work really hard for me."

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Quality of care

Young people have a say in their care and the way the home is run. Regular house meetings facilitate young people’s opportunities to have a say about things, including activities and the menu.

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Quality of care

Young people’s placement plans are in keeping with plans identified by the placing authority social workers. The plans provide a comprehensive picture of personal needs, the support young people require and the objectives young people and staff are working towards. The care planning and staff’s day-to-day practice recognises young people as individuals with different needs, backgrounds, interests and views. Staff know young people very well, they ensure young people benefit from access to the right services and help agencies to support young people. Young people’s needs and changes are reviewed regularly to make sure their needs continue to be met. Staff work closely with young people and others involved in their lives, as a result young people are involved in their reviews, attend meetings and have their views listened to.

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Quality of care

Young people and other stakeholders are provided with the information they need to be able to make a complaint, including to outside agencies and this ensures that any concerns they have will be heard. Young people say, "‘I know how to complain, if I wanted to and I can speak to staff or my social worker if I need to ".

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Quality of care

Young people are registered with General Practitioners and other relevant health professionals, including specialist health services. Staff liaise with these services appropriately in order to promote young people's well-being. Young people have access to health information and staff promote healthy lifestyle choices by talking to young people about these issues. Young people's health needs are also met through good policies and procedures for handling medication and dealing with first aid.

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Quality of care

Young people's educational needs are well supported and education is viewed as very important. All young people are currently involved in education. Staff make good efforts to ensure that young people attend education and do well when they are there. There is good communication between the home and the educational establishments that the young people attend and this supports consistency in care. Facilities within the home are conducive to study. This means that young people are positively achieving within their education.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a comfortable family house in a quiet residential area that blends well into the neighbourhood. The house is clean, decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people feel very settled and have a strong sense of belonging. They said, "this is my home and it feels like my home. I have helped to decide how things should be like in my room". Young people can also personalise the home to reflect their individual tastes.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a safe environment where they are effectively protected from harm and have a strong sense of safety and well-being. Young people say they feel safe living in the home and there are no issues of bullying. Young people say they all "get on ok".

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff promote confidentiality and preserve the dignity and privacy of young people. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding issues and take active steps to protect young people if they are missing. For example staff will try to find young people and keep in touch by mobile telephone to encourage a safe return. Staff are aware and do not exceed the measures they can take to prevent a child leaving without permission under current legislation and government guidance. The home has developed good links with the local police and follows agreed local protocols regarding young people missing from care. Incidents are recorded appropriately and risk assessments detail individual needs and agreed strategies to support and protect young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Managers monitor how the staff implement behaviour strategies to ensure appropriate action is taken which is fair and reasonable. Young people have clear and consistent boundaries and know what is expected of them and what is unacceptable. Young people receive praise and rewards when they do well. As a result young people learn to manage their behaviour and solve problems. Physical interventions are rare and sanctions are reasonable consequences. However, young people's views are not consistently noted within these records. This is important as it encourages the young person to reflect on their behaviour.

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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, risk assessments and checks. However, some risk assessments are brief in their detail and therefore are not a true reflection of the work undertaken within the home. 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 case of an emergency. The recruitment and selection is very thorough to make sure young people are protected. The management team carefully ensures staff have the skills and competencies to meet the needs of individual young people. Visitors are suitably checked and supervised to protect young people.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . The home is managed by an enthusiastic and competent Registered Manager. The organisation has a business plan to improve the service and the outcomes for young people. Staff feel supported by the Registered Manager and have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. Staff confirm support and guidance is always available and helpful. Regular one-to-one supervision monitors performance, accountability and identifies individual development needs.

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Leadership and management

The manager has taken positive action to address the six good practice recommendations from the previous inspection. As a result young people benefit from a personal education plan, up-to-date placement plans and a review of their personal allowances. Risk assessments now include bullying and staff training is arranged to improve practice in managing bullying. Electrical appliances are now tested to improve safety.

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Leadership and management

Young people are looked after by a staff team who have a range of skills and experience. The skills within the team match the needs of young people living in the home well. A suitable training programme ensures staff maintain and improve their skills. The staff team reflects cultural backgrounds of the young people living in the home and provides both positive male and female role models for young people. The numbers of staff on duty meets the needs of young people. This includes the support they need for activities, visits and appointments.

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Leadership and management

The home has a Statement of Purpose which sets out the aims of the home and how it will operate. However, this has not been updated to reflect the recent changes in legislation and good practice guidance. Young people receive a children's guide to the home and this gives them useful information, including advice about how to seek external support if necessary. For example, through the Children's Rights officer at Ofsted or their independent reviewing officer.

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Leadership and management

The home has good systems to review the quality of care each month. The Registered Manager consistently monitors the running of the home and identifies areas for improvement. Action is taken to ensure the home meets young people’s needs and promotes their welfare. The responsible individual, who is the owner of the home, also visits the home every month to monitor how well young people are being cared for. There are appropriate systems in place to notify Ofsted of any significant issues with regards to the young people.

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Leadership and management

The home’s written records provide a clear picture of individual young people’s needs, development and progress. Young people’s records are organised and contain up-to-date information, including the relevant documents from placing authorities.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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