Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC068046 Inspection date 17/08/2011 Inspector Roy Bega Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 07/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

A private company owns and operates this children's home. The setting accommodates a maximum of one young person of either sex between the ages of 10 and 17 years who have complex emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties. The company uses attachment therapeutic approaches in engaging young people. Where it is assessed that young people are not able to attend main stream schooling the company has the provision of a small specialist education unit and a working farm.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people excel during their placement in this home benefitting from well planned care that meets their individual needs. Young people are fully engaged in the formulation and implementation of plans and thrive in a nurturing, supportive environment with clear structures and boundaries.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe and well cared for and benefit from purposeful relationships with staff. Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and provide clear information for young people.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The staff team are enthusiastic and well motivated being directed by an inspirational and pro-active manager. Together they contribute earnestly in providing consistent high standards of care to ensure that young people live their lives to the full.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

There is a working farm where young people learn the skills of animal husbandry by helping to take care of the animals or become involved in the designing and building of pens. Young people are also encouraged to grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers at the farm. The therapeutic benefits of working on the farm for young people are many and attendance is planned as part of the educational day.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people know that their views are taken into account in the day-to-day running of the home as well as in their individual care plans.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Management and staff are highly active in ensuring that diversity is celebrated and valued, whilst being resourceful in challenging any form of discrimination. High regard is given to young people's particular needs, arising from their heritage, culture, or linguistic backgrounds.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make exceptional progress within a caring nurturing environment enhanced by firm, fare and consistent boundaries. This is individually demonstrated through areas such as the reduction of challenging behaviour, a noticeable reduction of becoming absent without authority and the increase of personal confidence and self-esteem. Staff have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the complex individual needs of young people and an outstanding commitment to ensuring they have the best life outcome possible.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people know that their views are taken into account in the day-to-day running of the home as well as their individual care plans. Staff actively support them to be confident in expressing their views and opinions which are highly valued. Young people are enabled to be part of the wider community through stimulating activities. Combined with attachment therapy sessions this embraces confidence building.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive excellent support from care staff and a wide range of specialist professionals within and outside the organisation regarding their health and emotional well-being. Individual health needs are identified and assessed as part of the pre-admission process and is ongoing throughout their stay at the home. For example, health care plans are well detailed, organised and reviewed monthly. Young people benefit from a varied and healthy diet and are fully involved in menu planning. Individual dietary needs and preferences are encouraged and well provided for. Young people are enabled by committed staff to budget for food, menu plan, shop and prepare meals as part of their pathway plan for leaving care.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Considerable progress is being made regarding the education of one young person. A full assessment of need is ensuring an educational plan is agreed which takes into account their starting point, ability and current situation.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

For young people who are above the statutory schooling age who may have missed several years of their formal education prior to being placed in the home, innovative opportunities are available to them. Management, (including education) strive to obtain the best outcome for individuals. This includes entering in extensive discussions with appropriate authorities for example, to have a statement of special education needs reinstated. Young people benefit from a cohesive life skills programme managed by the company's education department and care staff.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Purposeful therapeutic time is planned into an educational programme were necessary to enable staff and a young person to look at and discuss emotional issues surrounding current or previous education and learning experiences. Excellent communication is maintained between the home and company's education unit.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Purposeful contact between young people and estranged family members or significant others is cohesively managed by staff. Staff spend time with young people before and after contact to help them through difficult and sensitive experiences. Young people's emotional well-being during contact visits is effectively monitored by staff who are proactive in taking advice or guidance from management and other involved professionals. Family therapy is used when appropriate to ease tensions between young people and their family to explore pertinent issues in the re-building of relationships.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Transitional arrangements are meticulously discussed and planned with young people. Young people know that they can self-refer if they are interested in internal moves to the organisation's outreach living scheme. These requests are taken seriously and formal processes are in place for ensuring that any in-house moves are carried out in agreement with the placing authority.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are extremely well supported by staff to create a 'life story book' with photographs, cameo statements and comments about their life in the home. This provides an excellent way of celebrating memories of the placement when moving on. Significant work is undertaken to keep in touch with young people once they have moved on. This often results in some young people returning for social visits. Others prefer to stay in touch by means of phone calls or other forms of correspondence. Contact with former residents is guided by their circumstances and wishes to remain in touch.

p.6

Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

p.6

Quality of care

Staff are innovative in their approach in helping young people celebrate their achievements. These qualities not only empower young people but help them build on self-esteem and self-worth. Management and staff are consistent when engaging with young people or advocating on their behalf. This contributes towards an environment which enhances reassurance for young people and reinforces the key principles of building on trusting relationships.

p.6

Quality of care

Relationships formed between staff and young people are exemplary. The boundaries instilled by staff are professional, balanced and fair. Young people are also supported in forming trusting and safe relationships with other adults and young people within the organisation and wider community.

p.6

Quality of care

Well-established forums enable young people to learn to negotiate and develop confidence in expressing their views on aspects of how the home is organised and run. Their views are valued and listened to in affecting changes on matters that are important to them. They also appreciate why at times it may not be possible to act upon their wishes. For example matters which may be subject to budget constraints or not in their best interest.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are provided with appropriate information on how to report any concerns but rarely make use of the formal complaints process. Concerns raised are dealt with efficiently and effectively and include comments from young people regarding their personal satisfaction regarding the outcome of investigations. Young people are provided with contact details of independent advocates if they so choose.

p.6

Quality of care

Highly detailed individual placement and daily living plans provide extensive information on how young people are to be cared for. Staff are conversant with the system and meticulous in the delivery ensuring that agreed interventions and needs are met whilst being sensitive towards young people's backgrounds. They ensure that young people are given time, space and opportunities to confront their past experiences while offering levels of support which are appropriate and carefully thought through. Young people are actively involved in their care plans which promotes confidence in having a say in their own life. This open culture and inclusion embraces a raft of key values for allowing young people to feel safe and fearless of speaking out.

p.7

Quality of care

Young people's physical, emotional well-being and welfare are well promoted. Young people are encouraged to routinely attend appointments with their doctors, dentist and opticians. They also have access to a range of specialist services providing medical and psychological support. Staff are trained in first aid and have excellent knowledge of the home's robust procedures for administration of medication.

p.7

Quality of care

Staff actively promote education as part of preparation for adulthood and provide young people with practical and emotional support. They have an excellent understanding of young people's education and are enthused in providing consistent and meaningful guidance.

p.7

Quality of care

Young people are actively encouraged by staff to participate in suitable leisure activities within the home, the company’s provisions and the wider community. Staff also promote the introduction of new experiences aimed at providing the opportunity for young people to learn more skills, interests and gain confidence.

p.7

Quality of care

Management and staff are highly active in ensuring that diversity is celebrated and valued, whilst being resourceful in challenging any form of discrimination. High regard is given to young people's particular needs, arising from their heritage, culture, or linguistic backgrounds. Staff work to meet these needs positively, with care, consideration and sensitivity.

p.7

Quality of care

The home's location is well suited to it's purpose and provides a high standard of accommodation which is made as homely as possible. Maintenance arrangements promptly address damage and breakages to maintain a safe environment.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff take positive steps to ensure that the young people live in a safe, secure and caring environment. Young people feel safe in the home and particularly make reference to the homes security measures and the availability and access to adults at all times. Safeguarding is inherent in the culture and practice of the home. Staff attend training and have access to clear information about child protection and safeguarding requirements. As a result, they demonstrate a sound understanding of the action to take should they have any concerns about a young person's safety or well-being. Dynamic partnership working with external partners, such as the local designated safeguarding officer, means that the staff’s knowledge and understanding of child protection is continually being developed. Incidents where young people go missing from this home are very infrequent, due to the close supervision from staff. Staff are

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

very aware of young people’s vulnerabilities and are very clear what action to take should such an incident occur, which include good protocols with the police. Likewise, incidents of bullying are rare, again due to the very close supervision by staff, good placement planning and excellent knowledge of young people’s needs and vulnerabilities.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The privacy of young people is respected and information is confidentially handled. Staff ensure that they do not enter young people's rooms without knocking. Young people's care records are maintained securely and contents are not discussed inappropriately. A good balance, however, is achieved between respecting young people’s wish for privacy, ensuring their safety and encouraging their appropriate participation in activities so as to promote contact with their peers.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people admitted to the home exhibit predicted and unpredicted behaviours and needs. Management and staff respond proactively to this. They use these situations to further understand young people's needs and past experiences and how best to support them. The staff are aware of triggers, how to respond appropriately. The written and up-to-date plans ensure a consistency of response. Staff are trained in a recognised method of physical intervention but the emphasis is on prevention and distraction to minimise incidents.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

The physical environment is safe appropriately secure and well maintained. There are established systems and structures to maintain safe practices and fulfil health and safety obligations. There are robust fire safety arrangements which include, staff and young people being familiar with the actions they should take in the case of a fire.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from a stable staff team. Staff working with young people in the home are carefully selected and vetted. The home has suitably robust procedures in place including a systematic approach that ensures that the company's policy and practice is effective in practice.

p.8

Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

p.8

Leadership and management

A real strength of this home is a cohesive, well experienced and forward thinking management and care staff team. The manager of the home is experienced, appropriately qualified and supported by a dedicated staff team who are versatile and have a commitment to constantly improve care practices. Staff spoken with reported, 'I am happy with the work I do, we all work very well together and can totally rely on each other'. Another stated 'I feel valued and we work hard to make sure the young people get the life they deserve'.

p.8

Leadership and management

Staff are provided with an excellent range of training, including mandatory courses in safeguarding, first aid and the administration of medication. The manager of the home ensures that time is available for all staff to attend training, which further promotes the welfare of the young people. All staff working at the home have a qualification in caring for children or are working towards it. Comments received include, 'my training needs are a fixed item for my supervision', 'I am being well supported in completing the new Diploma in Social Care, 'we have annual refresher training in the mandatory areas such as child protection' and 'the company provides specialist training to meet the needs of young people before they are admitted, such as autism'.

p.9

Leadership and management

Young people appreciate a staffing structure which has clear lines of accountability in providing a stable living environment. Staffing levels are maintained in agreement with assessed needs and placing authorities to ensure that young people are properly supervised and able to take part in structured and non-structured activities. Staff are deployed with sufficient time to undertake individual work with young people, to attend regular team meetings and to complete necessary paperwork. All staff have regular supervision sessions with their line manager, which ensures that staff development and training needs are identified and promoted. Staff commented, 'management are very supportive and provide excellent supervision' and 'I receive outstanding guidance an professional input'.

p.9

Leadership and management

The manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to reviewing and improving the service that is offered to young people and their families. Team meetings are used to look at practice and the needs of the young people. This ensures that all staff are aware of any issues relating to young people's behaviour and approaches in meeting them are consistent. The home has monthly Regulation 33 inspections which report the quality of care provided and records any shortfalls, to which the manager promptly responds. The manager undertakes monthly Regulation 34 monitoring and uses these as part of the quality assurance for the improvement and development plan of the home.

p.9

Leadership and management

Excellent administrative arrangements are in place for supporting young people's care. These arrangements ensure each young person's exclusive and confidential records are maintained securely and include all the information necessary to plan and deliver their care. Records are carefully organised to permit ease of access to particular information which provides young people with ready access on request.

p.9

Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

p.9