Children's Home run by Phoenix Children’s Homes Limited in Devon

Unique reference number SC403234 Inspection date 23/11/2011 Inspector Linda Bond Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 12/01/2011 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

This home is operated by a private company which also operates a number of other homes in the locality. The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have behavioural and emotional difficulties. The home provides planned or emergency long-term care.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people present as happy, talkative and relaxed. They thrive within a stable environment which promotes their self-esteem and nurtures their strengths. All young people are making significant progress in relation to their starting points. Care planning focuses on the value of each young person and creatively meets their needs. Young people receive extensive support which develops their emotional well- being, social skills and personal safety.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Young people receive support from a competent and enthusiastic staff team who are committed to making a difference and enhancing their lives. Shortfalls are minor: they relate to the furnishing of the home and placement plans . They have minimal impact on the good quality of care which young people receive.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated; in particular introduce more homely touches to make the home feel less austere (NMS 10.3)  ensure the result of all statutory reviews and reviews of placement plans are recorded on the child's file. (NMS 25.8)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive a range of support which enables them to lead rewarding lives. They highlight numerous positive aspects, for example, 'the staff are good', 'allowed to go out', and 'treated well'. Placing authorities comment that young people are making 'significant progress'. Young people acknowledge they are valued, which contributes to increasing their emotional resilience. Staff provide them with a sense of belonging and acceptance. This atmosphere assists in building their self-esteem. Young people can communicate with their friends and relatives by telephone. Family and friends are able to visit them at their home. Young people can also spend time at their own family home.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive extensive support and encouragement which develops their emotional well being and resilience. Progress is evidenced in young people choosing not to go missing, and staying in the home and spending constructive time with staff.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have good relationships with the staff team. Young people benefit from a stable and committed staff team with little absenteeism and change.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

The organisation recognises that not all young people are able to attend main stream school and therefore provides its own registered school. Young people are attending the school full time. Young people do well as they receive ongoing encouragement to achieve their educational potential. Young people benefit from opportunities for intellectual development, good nurturing of strengths and practical skills, for example involving in the planning and redecoration of their bedrooms.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by participating in the planning of menus, and eating healthily. Menus demonstrate a varied choice of meals over a period of a week.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people take responsibility for planning their weekly activities with support from staff. They enjoy engaging in activities which promote a sense of purpose and build on their strengths. They regularly access their local community. All activities are tailored to meet the changing needs of young people. Young people will have an appropriate amount of time alone.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have daily opportunities to develop their developing independent living skills. This includes cooking, shopping, cleaning their bedroom.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people thrive within a warm and caring environment. A strong feature of the home is the supportive and respectful relationship between the staff group who work together to enable young people to challenge themselves and change patterns of behaviours. This includes encouraging young people to call the home if they will be late returning.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people benefit from the home's comprehensive approach to care planning. The home embraces the principles of normalisation, social inclusion and unconditional positive regard for the individual. Placement plans clearly outline their individual needs and objectives. Young people receive consistent encouragement which promotes their self-esteem through recognition, achievement and praise. This is based on the home's comprehensive care planning arrangements. Placement plans cover the Every Child Matters outcome areas. However one file did not have the placement plan in place at the time of the inspection.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people engage in discussions with staff regarding the appropriateness of certain relationships. Young people dislike to this 'control' but accept that it is for their safety.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people share their opinions in daily discussions, key work sessions and progress reviews. Regular house meetings provide a good exchange of ideas. Young people plan activities and menus, and discuss house protocols. They also explore pertinent issues, which include bullying, behaviour and rewards. Young people also use these meetings to voice their concerns. Staff also effectively manage young people’s grievances through the complaints procedure.

p.6

Quality of care

The home demonstrates a commitment to young people's health and emotional well- being. Staff support young people to access local health services and appropriately manage health-related matters. Therapeutic principles inform the home's working practices. Young people benefit from the strong links with the local mental health service. The organisation also has its own counselling psychologist. Young people can request individual sessions. The psychologist also provides a valued service to staff, enabling them to work more effectively with young people.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people live in a large, well-maintained terraced property. The house blends easily into the neighbourhood. There is a selection of good, comfortable furniture that is well maintained. There is evidence of repairs having taken place recently following damage caused by behaviour from young people. The home lacks personal touches, without pictures or ornaments that give it an overly austere feel.

p.6

Quality of care

There is a record of maintenance that is scheduled to take place that will ensure the young people are provided with a more homely environment.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from the organisation's commitment to promoting their welfare and safety. Staff recognise hazards and danger both in the home and elsewhere. There is wide range of risk assessments both generic and individualised. These enable the staff team and the young people to have a safe structure to work within.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

There are clear responsibilities, procedures and working practices which safeguard young people. The good links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board ensure staff receive regular training and updates. The home also has a named police contact. Staff receive regular training and know the procedures for reporting allegations. Staff also know when to pass on concerns to external agencies. For example staff were observed reporting to the local child protection department concerns they have regarding visiting friends of the young people. This was swiftly dealt with and a protocol pertaining to this drawn up.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff actively promote socially acceptable behaviour through an individualised reward system. Sanctions are administered fairly, though it is recorded that the young people object to the sanctions being implemented. Sanctions are reviewed and monitored regularly.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

On occasions when young people are absent without authority, staff are proactively responsive. Staff follow young people and monitor their whereabouts. They also go out searching for young people. The home recognises if they are unable to keep young people safe and liaises closely with placing authorities. The home works in partnership to implement strategies to combat hazardous behaviours and protect young people from serious harm. Staff ensure that whilst away from the home the young people have access to a mobile phone. This goes some way to enabling the young people to have safer independence.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff positively address any behaviours which may be perceived as bullying. Young people and staff will regularly discuss any incidents of bullying. These assist with increasing their awareness of bullying and improving their communication and social skills. Young people take self-responsibility for their actions, an example being the production of personal actions plans.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff benefit from training in preventative de-escalation techniques. This enables them to competently manage challenging behaviour. The home has a low incidence of police involvement, and restraints are only undertaken as a last resort. Young people feel restraints are managed well. Restraints are recorded well and monitored regularly.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people reside in a home which is physically safe and appropriately secure. Health and safety certificates verify the safety of the environment.

p.7

Leadership and management

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

p.7

Leadership and management

Young people live in a home which is effectively and efficiently managed. Staff promptly notify Ofsted of any serious incidents. The Statement of Purpose comprehensively details the home's aims, objectives and working practice.

p.7

Leadership and management

A development plan is available and this is cross referenced with a thorough maintenance plan for the year.

p.7

Leadership and management

Placing authorities describe the service as 'very positive' and the Independent Reviewing Officer stated that 'the home provides a good package of care', and appreciated the fact that staff have a 'positive approach' to their work. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been appropriately addressed.

p.7

Leadership and management

The organisation demonstrates a proactive approach to embracing new regulatory changes. All procedures comply with the new national minimum standards. The Statement of Purpose details the home's aims and objectives. Young people receive a summarised version of this document. This children’s guide clearly highlights what young people can expect from the service. However it is not especially child friendly and therefore staff are planning to involve the young people in the development of the guide.

p.8

Leadership and management

The organisation has its own integrated information technology recording system. Staff also securely store young people’s paper files. The manager makes effective use of the staffing rota for the whole company that can be accessed via the information technology system. This ensures minimum disruption to the young people when staff are absent or on leave, and prevents any reliance on agency staff. The electronic recording system contributes significantly to the quality assurance arrangements and provides essential management information. Monthly Regulation 33 visits, Regulation 34 monitoring and additional director audits further strengthens the quality assurance system.

p.8

Leadership and management

Staff use positive language to provide a meaningful record of each young person's life. Files clearly evaluate young people’s strengths and their progress.

p.8

Leadership and management

Young people benefit from an experienced, competent and relatively stable staff team. Staff state they 'love' their job and 'enjoy making a difference'. Staff possess the necessary experience and qualities to meet young people’s complex needs. The Registered Manager is well qualified and effectively manages the home. The majority of staff hold the necessary care qualifications or are currently completing their course. Staff files are well organised and held at the main company office.

p.8

Leadership and management

In the main all supervision is regularly taking place and recorded well. The open and approachable management style ensures staff have frequent informal supervision. At the time of inspection there were minor gaps in formal supervision records which were being rectified.

p.8

Leadership and management

The leadership team is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. An extensive home development plan highlights the home's progress in meeting and exceeding the national minimum standards. Young people benefit from the service being continually adapted to meet their needs.

p.8

Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is satisfactory .

p.8