Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Unique reference number SC032083 Inspection date 15/11/2011 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/03/2011 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 accommodates two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides innovative and comprehensive planned care, which means that outcomes for young people are outstanding. Young people make excellent progress through their placement with the young people and staff recognising and celebrating progress and achievement. The high level of qualified and motivated staff, who are supported by a dynamic manager, is an obvious strength of the home and this is positively reflected in the care of young people. Young people benefit from sound relationships with staff and feel that adults care about their welfare. Robust safeguarding practice promotes the safety of young people who feel safe within this home. The committed staff work hard to enable young people to reach their potential within education and young people's health needs are prioritised. The home has made excellent progress in ensuring that young people are fully aware of their background and continue to ensure that mementos and memories are captured for

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Overall effectiveness

The management team understand the strengths and areas of future development for the home. They use consultation with young people effectively and the manager is proactive on continuing to develop all areas within the home. The staff are highly committed to supporting and enabling young people to develop their skills and socially acceptable behaviour.

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Overall effectiveness

All recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed fully. All staff have the National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Young People. The home has a copy of the local authorities Safeguarding procedures. All staff and visitors are safe from risk of fire, in respect of the oil fired boiler and written placement plans show the contribution to be made by the staff (in terms of measurable targets in young people's plans) and how the effectiveness of the placement is assessed.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from individualised support which helps them grow in confidence. Young people develop their own identities through supportive staff and access to personal interests in the community. The home actively acknowledges racial, religious, gender and other differences and encourages open discussion and learning on such issues. The home ensures that mementoes, memories and achievements are recorded and saved for young people so they have an understanding of their past and background for their future. As a result, young people are encouraged to develop a positive self-view.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people know and understand their placement plan. Young people are fully informed about any reports compiled by staff. For example, monthly summaries written by staff for social workers and significant others of the young people include young people's comments. One young person says 'I think this is really good.' This means that young people are fully included and consulted with.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy a balanced diet and active lifestyles, which keeps them healthy. Young people access suitable medical services and receive additional support from therapeutic agencies. This means they receive personalised and age-appropriate healthcare.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy opportunities to plan for individual or group activities and in the running of the home. Young people see the results of their ideas, which include their own choice of activity or decoration of rooms. Good use is made of independent or accompanied access into the community. Activities and resources include free time, in-house games including the use of a computer, days out and visiting family and friends meaning young people are actively and positively involved in a range of activities both in the home and out in the community. This gives them the opportunity to have new experiences, learn new skills and grow in confidence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are actively encouraged to attend educational provision and attendance is excellent. Young people say staff ensure that they are ready for school, that staff are always interested about their day and help with any home work set. As a result young people feel they are nurtured and supported by staff. This ensures that young people have the opportunity to make exceptional progress towards educational achievement from their starting point at the time of placement.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are able to maintain constructive contact with families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives. Any issues which may arise from this emotive area are handled sensitively and supportively by staff enabling young people to develop emotional resilience and knowledge and understanding of their background. Staff undertake a proactive role in supporting young people to maintain contact with their family and significant others.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy sound relationships with staff based on honesty and mutual respect and benefit from individualised support in line with their needs and wishes from independent specialists. Staff encourage young people to develop skills linked to their ability which are highlighted in care plans. Staff are able to communicate well with young people. Consequently young people enjoy positive and trusting relationships with staff. Young people attend regular young people's meetings and have regular key worker sessions which enables young people to have their voices heard and influence the running of the home. Young people feel confident in being able to discuss any concerns or complaints and were differences of opinion arise young people feel they are listened to. Staff consistently support young people in understanding why it may not be possible to act upon their wishes in all cases. Information about making complaints is available in variety of forms and complaints

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Quality of care

are appropriately followed up by management staff.

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Quality of care

Positive behaviour strategies, risk assessments and individualised care planning is used by staff to support young people in developing skills in managing their behaviour. As a result of this, physical intervention is rarely used and the behaviour of young people is generally appropriate. Staff are innovative in findings ways for young people to address their behaviour rather than punishment in the form of a sanction. Therefore, young people realise the consequences of their actions. The home uses positive reinforcement in the form of incentives for young people and they can receive extra monies. They are also working towards specific goals which will result in them attending their chosen football teams’ match.

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Quality of care

Young people's health needs are prioritised and young people have regular access to health services specific to their needs. Health promotion is a prominent feature at the home. The physical, emotional and mental health needs of each young person are identified on admission and comprehensively supported throughout their stay. For example, excellent partnership working with health professionals means the home provides holistic care for young people. Records of appointments with health professionals are clearly maintained ensuring the physical, emotional and mental health needs of young people are met. Medication is securely stored within the home and designated staff are trained to administer medication safely. Clear records are maintained for the administration of medication and staff are vigilant in checking medication dispensed, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records are maintained. Staff excel in this area because they research, in depth, all medical conditions and

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Quality of care

attain literature for young people and themselves. This then gives them both insights into how some conditions or medication can impact on every day issues such as a young people's appetites and on their emotional well-being.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs. They have opportunities to plan, shop and prepare meals. Young people are encouraged to eat meals at the table and share social occasions. Young people are supported to make their own snacks or drinks for themselves and others during the day promoting young people’s independence. Staff are well aware of young people's medical conditions and medication that impact on young peoples appetites and have been resourceful in adapting meals, times and sensitivity around this area thus ensuring that food does not become a negative issue.

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Quality of care

Young people are able to pursue their particular interests, develop confidence in their skills and are supported by staff to engage in leisure activities. The home is set up to offer a range of fun, leisure and educational activities which are planned in advance with the inclusion of all the young people. The home provides young people with age-appropriate up-to-date books, literature and board games. The home has a computer which young people can access safely. Young people have access to transport provided by staff, which enables young people to access leisure activities in the community and visit family or friends.

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Quality of care

Young people in the home are appropriately placed there. Young people's needs are assessed appropriately and care plans outline how these needs are met. Placement plans contain good records which are updated appropriately and include all relevant details regarding young people’s needs. Staff complete records which include information about care, diet and support given to young people.

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Quality of care

Young people’s needs and development are reviewed regularly in the light of their care and progress at the home. Staff, young people and family contribute effectively to a young person's review and this ensures that any decisions are implemented into the daily care plan. The report provides up-to-date information, through discussion, as to how young people’s individual needs or any concerns are met. Their needs are reviewed regularly and young people confirm they are able contribute to their review and planned care.

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Quality of care

Individual plans contain information regarding contact and staff support young people before, during and after contact. As a result, young people are able to maintain constructive contact as deemed appropriate by the placing authority with families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives.

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Quality of care

Young people's education is highly valued at this home. Staff ensure that young people are ready for their day, are interested in how their day went, support young people by assisting them with homework and by celebrating any achievement or progress made by young people. Staff liaise with schools and attend any meeting or significant events. Thus young people feel that they are fully supported within education.

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Quality of care

Young people in placement are well-presented and have appropriate clothing and belongings to meet their needs. They receive pocket money and have bank account in which the home deposits monies for them. Young people's clothing and personal requisites are fully met.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a home which provides sufficient space to meet their needs. The home is clean and has large secure gardens for young people to enjoy and have fun in. The home is in rural location but young people can access the local community. Young people have their own bedrooms, which they are able to personalise. Their bedrooms reflect their interests and contain meaningful posters, photographs and mementoes. The home has a very relaxed atmosphere.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe. Young people confirm that they feel safe and protected within the home. They can openly talk to their carers over their worries and concerns, and feel that the adults listen well and care about their welfare. The home has clear, well understood and effective risk management strategies in place, which recognise the needs of young people and provide suitable strategies to manage any associated risks. The staff group is skilled at recognising and managing risk taking behaviour and consistently implement the agreed strategies to reduce risks to young people. Staff act as good role models for young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people rarely go missing and staff are able to demonstrate how and what action they would take to keep young people safe. There are systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities of any significant events and risk assessments completed for young people who are at risk. The home works with local police to help keep young people safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected from bullying. Staff are vigilant with regard to relationships within the home and high supervision levels mean that there are limited opportunities for bullying or inappropriate relationships to develop. Young people discuss bullying with staff and any issues are addressed with individuals concerned.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people's privacy is respected and information is handled in a confidential manner. Young people's records are stored appropriately to protect their confidentiality and staff understand the importance of confidentiality.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour through encouragement and an effective reward system. There is guidance in place for staff to adhere to when working with individual young people and restraints are rarely used.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are clear about their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding young people's welfare and staff are encouraged to keep their knowledge up-to-date by attending appropriate training. Staff are confident and clear about the action to take following any child protection incidents. This ensures that young people are protected from abuse. Child protection incidents at the home are dealt with appropriately and all professionals notified within appropriate timescales.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people's health and safety is protected by robust vetting of visitors to the home to prevent young people being exposed to potential abusers. No member of staff is allowed to work in the home until full checks are completed and records confirm all visitors’ sign in and out of the building. This ensures their safety.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a home that provides physical safety and security. There are no major hazards to compromise welfare. Fire safety and health and safety checks are carried out at the required intervals. The home has established systems in place and structures to maintain safe practices and fulfil health and safety obligations.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

Young people are guided through and know what services they can expect from the home, how they will be cared for and who they are likely to share with. The home's Statement of Purpose (SOP) covers all matters as outlined in Schedule 1 of The Children's Homes Regulations.

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Leadership and management

Young people enjoy the stability of an efficiently-run home with a stable, motivated and dedicated staff team and a dynamic manager. The manager is self motivated, imaginative and forward thinking. He encourages staff to develop themselves and shares his knowledge with them. The manager has made significant improvements within the home and is constantly looking forward to develop all areas. He does this by consulting with young people, staff and other professionals. Therefore, staff and young people feel that they are truly involved in all aspects of the home. Staff feel they are knowledgeable, are supported in all areas and are rightly proud of their home. They feel this is then reflected in the care that they give to young people and in the excellent outcomes young people achieve.

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Leadership and management

The home is efficiently managed. The provider meets all of the aims and objectives in their Statement of Purpose which is clear and accessible. Young people benefit from effective management which models a commitment to meeting the needs of all young people. There are various systems to monitor quality of care which includes monthly visits by a designated person. The manager has a development plan in place for the home which identifies areas for development. Regulation 33 and 34 monitoring is regularly carried out and young people are consulted during monitoring visits. Staff are well supported within the home. Regular staff meetings include information on the development of the young people and have input from external providers. These measures mean that young people experience a consistent approach that is personalised to meet their individual needs.

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Leadership and management

Staffing levels are high in number. The rotas and daily logs demonstrate there are sufficient numbers of staff on duty at all times which allows for individual attention and care. Staff have excellent qualifications and training to meet the needs of the young people. For example, all staff in the home have completed the National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Children and Young People at level 3. Staff receive regular supervision and extensive training on issues which may affect young people in care and this is planned to meet both the needs of the young people resident at the home and the staff development needs. There have been no new appointments since the last inspection. The home has a robust recruitment practice. Managers keep up to date with new legislation and practice developments and share this with staff, for example, the new national minimum standards 2011. Young people benefit from a staff team which is enabled to provide purposeful quality and

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Leadership and management

safe care. The roles and responsibilities of staff are clear. As a result young people benefit from excellent support to meet their individual needs.

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Leadership and management

The home is adequately resourced and managers ensure that health and safety requirements are met meaning young people live in a safe environment which meets their needs.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s records are well structured and are held securely and confidentially. They cover all matters required in the regulations. Staff and management are well aware of the process and requirements to report significant events. Young people make excellent progress because of the effective management systems that are in place.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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