Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Unique reference number SC033723 Inspection date 22/11/2011 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/01/2011 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

This is a purpose-built children’s home, which is operated by a local authority. The home provides medium to long-term care for up to five young people of either gender, between the ages of 10 and 17 years, with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

All of the young people have moved in to the home within the last four months. For most this is their first experience of a residential placement rather than a foster placement. There has also been a change in manager although the staff team have remained consistent and stable. A social worker stated that the staff, 'made (name) extremely welcome. They got him joined up with the local scouts and youth club right away and so he started to feel at home in the neighbourhood as well. He tells me that all the staff are approachable and I find that as well.’

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress and thrive in a nurturing, supportive environment with consistent boundaries. Young people report that they feel safe, enjoy being in the home and have caring, positive relationships with staff. Staff are experienced, relate to young people in a warm and caring way and have an excellent understanding of the young people's individual needs. This is reflected in the sensitive way that the diverse needs of the young people are identified and met. A social worker said, 'at the foster carers he walked around with his head bowed but here he walks with his head up and he is really proud of his home.’

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Overall effectiveness

There are some areas for improvement identified from this visit. These are mainly around the recording following any episodes of young people being missing or restrained. Additional shortfalls include improvements to ensure: staff receive appropriate core training; staff vetting and recruitment information is retained within the home and appropriate recording of notifiable incidents. The new manager and provider are aware of these developmental needs and are taking steps to make improvements.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that where there has been physical restraint, children’s homes must be able to call on medical assistance as required and children are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner (NMS 3.16)  ensure that all children and staff are given an opportunity to discuss incidents of restraint they have been involved in, witnessed, or affected by, with a relevant adult (NMS 3.17)  ensure that following any disciplinary measures or restraint being used children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept in the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure that written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by staff, the circumstances of the child’s return, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home and any action taken in light of

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Recommendations

these reasons (NMS 5.10)  ensure that the children’s home has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working for the home (NMS 16.3)  ensure that there is a good quality learning and development programme which staff are supported to undertake. Ensure that staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and training keeps them up to date with professional, legal and practice developments (NMS 18.1)  ensure that a written record is kept which includes details of the action taken and the outcome of any action or investigation, following a notifiable event (NMS 24.2)

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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 benefit from the individualised support provided by the key-worker system and life-space discussions. These provide opportunities for young people to share their feelings and help them grow in confidence. Young people make good progress in developing a positive self-view, emotional resilience and an understanding of their background. Committed, experienced staff are aware of young people's strengths and help to nurture their talents and interests. For example, displaying their art work and listening to them practice musical instruments. Young people are encouraged to use their leisure time constructively. They enjoy participating in organised activities within their community such as scouting and a local youth club. This effectively enhances their social skills while developing their sense of belonging. A young person said 'as a matter of fact it’s really good here. I am learning new things all the time.’

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Outcomes for children and young people

There is a good approach to promoting the physical and emotional well-being of young people. Young people are all registered with and regularly visit the doctor, dentist and optician. Young people are learning the importance of healthy lifestyles and how to take responsibility for their personal health and hygiene. Young people lead an active lifestyle with regular outings to local parks and adventure playgrounds. Irrespective of disability, ethnicity, faith, gender or beliefs, young people are accomplishing significant personal milestones that are preparing them for adulthood and that they enjoy.

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Outcomes for children and young people

All of the young people have started, or are due to start, new schools this term within mainstream education. Staff worked extremely hard in obtaining places in appropriate schools for each young person. A social worker stated, 'they are proactive with addressing his education needs and finding him a school.’ Enthusiastic staff fully support young people in this new experience and attendance is good. Young people report that they 'love their schools' and are 'very proud of their attendance and uniforms.’

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to make a positive contribution to their home by the nurturing manager and staff team. Residents’ meetings are used effectively to plan improvements to the fabric of the home as well as promote positive behaviours; for example, the introduction of a new points rewards scheme.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's backgrounds are thoroughly respected by staff. This extends to young people being able to sustain practices that enhance their heritage and identity. This also includes optimising meaningful contact, where appropriately supervised if necessary, with families and past carers important to them.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people thrive within the warm, nurturing and homely environment. Young people enjoy caring, positive and constructive relationships with staff and the majority of the time with each other. Young people report they are happy living in the home as it is 'awesome' and 'all the staff are lovely.’ Any conflicts are addressed immediately by staff and young people are assisted to achieve successful resolutions. Staff place the well-being of individual young people at the centre of their practice irrespective of the challenges they present. A staff member said 'we give time and listen to what young people have to say. Young people have input into a nurturing environment and know that they have choices; knowing no matter what their behaviour is like we care about them.’

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Quality of care

Exemplary practice offered by the key worker system and life space interviews enable young people to address key areas identified in care plans and work through any difficulties. Support plans are discussed with young people and effectively detail their day-to-day care needs. All cultural and religious needs are identified and addressed. As a result young people feel supported, consulted, listened to and that their views will be heard.

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Quality of care

A comprehensive complaints procedure is effectively implemented ensuring positive outcomes. It is bolstered by the grumbles process which allows any disagreements between young people to be successfully addressed and resolved. As a result young people learn how to communicate positively and effectively while building supportive relationships. A social worker said 'he has learnt how to negotiate and happy outcomes occur.’

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Quality of care

Education is highly valued. Caring and committed staff have consistently high aspirations for all the young people in their care. The home maintains good relationships with health professionals and are proactive in ensuring that young people receive identified therapeutic interventions.

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Quality of care

Young people and staff enjoy warm, constructive relationships. Positive examples are set by the ethnically diverse staff team who are able to provide a homely, nurturing environment and set consistent boundaries. Young people's achievements are actively rewarded and celebrated. Young people blossom in the home where they feel valued and that they belong. A young person stated firmly, 'this is my home and I am going to stay here. I’ve got a really nice home.’

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from the facilities provided in the purpose built, yet comfortable and homely, setting. Young people each have their own bedroom which they are able to personalise to their taste. They enjoy spending time together in the shared lounge, dining room and conservatory. Photographs of the young people enjoying celebrations, such as birthday parties, adorn the walls further promoting their sense of belonging.

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Quality of care

Young people are involved in a range of purposeful, inclusive and enjoyable activities. They are all enrolled in the local youth club and individual activities are identified for them to attend; for example, dance workshops and football games. A staff member said 'we are helping them integrate into the community, wherever they think they can shine they are given that opportunity.’ Individual religious and cultural needs are addressed and met in both care planning and daily living. In addition, young people learn about other cultures through discussion in their residents’ meetings. They plan menus and eat foods from different cuisines and plan outings, for example Eid. A staff member explained 'we celebrate individuality and diversity and give them opportunities to see how other people live and experience and celebrate different cultures.’

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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 report they feel safe in the home where safeguarding is a priority. Staff encourage and promote positive behaviours by example. Young people are actively involved in developing a positive reward system where they can negotiate their individual rewards. Sanctions are proportional and fair and young people can choose alternatives, for example paying cash or replacing a spoilt item. Young people learn to take responsibility for their actions. A young person said he is, ‘really safe here and have lots to do.’

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Safeguarding children and young people

Excellent relationships built and maintained between young people and staff mean that staff have not had to use any physical interventions with this group of young people. However, although all staff are fully trained in restraint techniques, recording processes do no not accurately reflect the expected standards. Therefore young people may not be provided with the option to seek medical attention, discuss the incident or record their views. A robust missing children policy follows locally agreed protocols and there have not been any episodes of this group of young people going missing. However, insufficient recording processes mean that if a young person were to go missing their views would not be captured. Opportunities to prevent recurrences of missing episodes or need for restraint could be lost if young people are not given the openings to reflect on their behaviours and learn from their experiences.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are alert to the possibility of bullying between this group of boys. Each individual's propensity in this area is identified in their care plans and discussed with their social worker. Young people did not report they had any concerns about bullying. A social worker said 'staff handle it very well. There are three boys of the same age there and staff find time to have equal amounts of time with the boys. I have been very happy with the care.’

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Safeguarding children and young people

Experienced and committed staff fully understand the home's child protection procedures and how to implement them. Any disclosures are acted upon promptly and referred to the appropriate authorities. As a result young people are consistently and effectively safeguarded.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from a consistent, experienced and caring staff team although there have been changes in management. Robust local authority recruitment and vetting procedures are followed for the appointment of new staff. This ensures that young people are cared for by staff who do not pose a risk to them. However, the home does not have a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are safeguarded by the comprehensive health and safety, maintenance and fire equipment checks. These are coupled with good fire drill processes which ensure the home is physically safe.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

The new manager of this home had been in post for less than six weeks at the time of this inspection. An application for Registered Manager status is in the process of being made. The manager is experienced and has the support of two senior care officers. He has identified the areas for development within the home and is building upon the strengths within the staff team. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose is newly updated and clearly details the home's aims, objectives and the services to be provided. These include that all cultural practices, religious observances and individual needs will be observed and linked with individual care plans. The young people's guide is colourful and available in other languages and formats. It provides comprehensive information for young people about the care they will receive within the home.

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from appropriate staffing levels and the care and attention they receive from the nurturing and committed staff team. All of the staff hold the national vocational award and some are undertaking further training in therapeutic techniques. However, not all core training needs are being met; the manager is aware of this.

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Leadership and management

Monthly monitoring visits are carried out appropriately by an independent person. Any recommendations made are discussed in team meetings and followed up. For example, the manager has instituted a formal process to ensure staff supervision sessions take place monthly. Young people are further safeguarded by the effective audit processes conducted by the manager to monitor the quality of care they receive. However, not all significant events are being effectively recorded.

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Leadership and management

The capable and enthusiastic manager has been warmly welcomed by the staff and young people. The manager said 'this is a really good staff team and I am really enjoying working with a team who want to care, want to make a difference and are motivated to train and change.’ He and the provider are aware that there are areas of development that need to be addressed and are committed to making the improvements.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

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