Children's Home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Cumbria

Unique reference number SC356907 Inspection date 21/12/2011 Inspector Gillian Walters Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 22/03/2011 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

This is a privately owned residential special school, which is also registered as a children’s home. It provides a service to eight young people, between the ages of 10 years and 17 years, who experience emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides well-planned, personalised care to meet the diverse and complex needs of the young people placed. The home’s commitment to ensuring young people receive good care and education effectively promotes young people's development in all key areas. Staff have an excellent knowledge of the young people that they are working with, which ensures that their individual needs are consistently met. Young people are valued and treated with dignity and respect, which has a positive impact on their confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is comfortable and has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Young people share good relationships with staff and with each other. Staff encourage young people to reach their potential regardless of the obstacles they may encounter. Staff appropriately encourage and support young people to gain skills for adulthood. Young people make good progress in relation to their starting points and continue to develop in this supportive environment.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are positive about the care that they receive and say they have good relationships with all staff. Young people are relaxed and confident in the company of staff and confirm that they enjoy spending time with them. Professional and personal boundaries with young people are clear and are consistent with good childcare. Young people say that they feel safe and protected in this environment.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's needs and views are sought and included in the running of the home through regular young people's meetings and frequent key worker sessions. Staff place emphasis on working closely with young people, their families and professionals to gain their opinions and support in providing the best care to young people. They have regular contact with their families and friends and have a good understanding of their background and identity.

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Overall effectiveness

Social workers who have placed young people within the home are very complimentary about the care that their young person receives. They describe the care provided as ‘very nurturing’ and comment that staff, ‘will go the extra mile with the young people.’

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Overall effectiveness

The home has recently appointed a new temporary manager to replace the current manager who has tendered his resignation and will soon be leaving. One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection to address this change.

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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) ensure that where the registered provider appoints a person to manage the children’s home, he shall forthwith give notice to HMCI of (a) the name of the person appointed; and (b) the date on which the appointment is to take effect. (Regulation 7(2)) 01/02/2012

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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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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

The provision is a residential school that is also registered as a children’s home. It caters for young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and require the provision of care and structured education. For a number of the young people this has been a long-term placement.

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Outcomes for children and young people

All the young people placed are settled and making good progress in all aspects of their life. Young people feel happy and secure in this home, and have developed good relationships with staff. Young people contribute to their plans and are aware of their goals. They talk with pride about their achievements and are able to recognise the support and encouragement offered by staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people’s health needs are identified within detailed health and placement plans. Young people receive routine health care support, and specialist services are available to them to support and address their individual needs. Staff are attentive to young people’s health care needs, enabling them to receive appropriate and timely intervention.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people either attend the home’s education provision on a daily basis or are engaged in work experience placements and further education outside the provision. All young people have made good progress in all areas of the curriculum since coming to this provision, with some identified as making excellent progress in relation to their starting points. Young people understand the incentive programme that is in place to reward good behaviour and achievement and respond positively to this. Young people who are soon to move on from this provision have plans in place that are designed to enable them to take greater personal responsibility, learn new skills and build self-confidence. This ensures that they are suitably prepared to live independently and manage adult life.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to maintain contact with family and friends as is consistent with their care plan. A number of young people have supervised contact with family as appropriate. Staff support such visits, which enable young people to maintain links with their family members, culture and identity. Staff also benefit from this, increasing their understanding and awareness of the young person’s background and culture. Some parents and family members also visit young people at the home. The home supports and encourages such contact and does, on occasion, facilitate arrangements by securing local bed and breakfast accommodation for family visiting from a distance. Communication between the home, children’s families and professionals is good. This enables young people to retain and rebuild positive family relationships as appropriate.

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Outcomes for children and young people

All young people make a positive contribution within the home. They are encouraged to help staff at meal times and keep their rooms tidy. Young people are also encouraged to undertake additional household tasks, such as cleaning windows and washing dishes. Young people are rewarded with extra pocket money for the tasks they complete. Young people participate, and are positively engaged, in monthly young people’s meetings. Young people also benefit from regular discussions with their key workers. These enable them to voice their views and opinions and influence the running of the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are able to access the same activities as their peers within their community. Staff take young people out on trips to local shops, cinema, swimming pool and leisure facilities. Young people are involved with a variety of local clubs that appeal to their specific interests. These include football, rugby and drama. Many of the young people are also involved in regular fishing trips with staff. Young people say they enjoy this activity and spending time with staff.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Staff have an extremely sound knowledge of the young people in their care and have an excellent understanding of the issues and difficulties they experience. Staff contribute effectively in planning with young people, taking account of their background, culture and identity. Staff work closely with young people to identify their wishes and needs and staff are proactive in assisting them reach their goals. Young people are encouraged to have high aspirations and to be proud of their achievements. This means that young people feel cared for, respected and valued.

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Quality of care

Staff are aware of the particular behavioural challenges some of the young people can present. Staff are thoroughly informed as to how they can best respond to young people’s behaviours having developed detailed behaviour management plans and comprehensive risk assessments which are frequently reviewed and updated. Staff always attempt to de-escalate difficult situations through discussion with young people. This ensures that physical intervention is used only as a last resort, when it is necessary to protect the young person or others.

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Quality of care

All young people have dedicated key workers. Staff work directly with young people in one-to-one sessions to develop an awareness and understanding of their background, difficulties and personal identity. Young people engage positively with staff and appreciate that staff are helping and supporting them. Young people thrive by living in this stable, very caring and supportive environment. They comment positively on the commitment of staff saying that they, ‘will go that extra mile for you.’

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Quality of care

A comprehensive complaints procedure is in place that can be easily accessed by young people, parents and others. The home responds positively to complaints and is proactive in seeking advice when the need arises. Young people say that they know how to make a complaint and, when they do, they are fully supported through the process. Young people are very confident that, if they raise issues with staff, these are generally resolved informally.

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Quality of care

Staff are committed to working closely with teaching staff, supporting young people’s learning in both the home and school environment. Practice reflects a 24-hour learning curriculum that ensures young people are consistently aware of the achievements that they are making in all aspects of their lives.

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Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles and their health care needs are well met. Young people are registered with local healthcare services and are fully supported and encouraged to access all healthcare appointments. Staff have a thorough understanding of young people’s specific health needs and have received training to ensure that they are equipped to meet their needs on a day-to-day basis. Young people also benefit from a school nurse being located on the premises during weekdays. This enables young people to have increased access to healthcare support and ensures that there is professional oversight of health care planning and delivery within the home.

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Quality of care

The home's procedures for managing medication are put into practice to ensure young people’s welfare is promoted and protected. Staff are trained and have appropriate qualifications in first aid and handling medication. Staff ensure that medication is administered appropriately with stringent checks in place to avoid errors.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a quiet rural location. For most young people, this is in clear contrast from their area of origin. However, they are very well settled and have a strong sense of belonging within the home. Young people have their own rooms, with en-suite facilities, that are decorated and personalised with their own belongings. Young people take a pride in their home and are encouraged to participate in caring for their home environment. The home is extremely comfortable, clean, tidy, and well maintained. There is a comprehensive maintenance programme in place ensuring that repairs are identified and attended to immediately.

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Quality of care

Young people participate in a wide range of activities in their local community, such as football, drama, rugby, swimming and fishing. Young people have been requested to assist with a restoration project at a local historical site. Staff are enthusiastic that a number of the young people have volunteered to become involved with this project. This means that young people are aware that they are highly valued by their community and motivated to become involved in it.

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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

This is a home where young people say they feel safe. They can identify adults they would approach if they had concerns. Robust child protection procedures are in place and staff know how to access and follow them to ensure children are safeguarded. A designated child protection officer is available to provide further advice as required. Training arrangements are in place to ensure that staff knowledge is current and that they have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Individual and off-site risk assessments are in place and reviewed regularly to minimise risk. There have been no child protection incidents at the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff have an excellent knowledge of the young people in their care. They are aware of a young person’s potential to bully or be bullied. However, young people do not identify bullying as a current issue within this home. Young people are reassured that staff would deal with any issues should these arise.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people going missing from care is not currently an issue. Young people who go absent from the home without authority return quickly. Staff follow clear reporting procedures to ensure that relevant parties are advised and any young person absent is returned safely. Staff are aware and have easy access to the local authority’s procedures and protocols.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people have individualised behaviour management plans that are regularly monitored and reviewed. These plans address young people’s specific needs and ensure that staff are informed of the strategies that will assist them in dealing with the young person concerned. Staff receive training in behaviour management and safe intervention techniques. Physical interventions do occur, but staff and young people confirm that these only happen when there is a need to protect the young person concerned or others around them. Staff complete records of such occurrences appropriately detailing the nature of, and circumstances surrounding, each intervention. Young people live in an environment that promotes their physical safety and security. Firefighting equipment and other utilities are serviced regularly and safety checks are carried out in accordance to recommended timescales to ensure that the home remains a safe environment for young people to live in. Staff are trained in fire

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Safeguarding children and young people

evacuation procedures and young people are involved. This ensures that they know what to do in the event of a fire.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected by effective recruitment and selection processes. All pre- employment checks are completed before new staff commence work within the home. Visitors sign in and have their credentials checked on arrival. These processes ensure young people are not exposed to unsuitable persons who may do them harm.

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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

A qualified and experienced manager who has been awaiting registration with Ofsted manages the home. Some delay has occurred in this process, but not through the fault of the provider. The manager is extremely well supported by the Director of Care and has a competent and an experienced staff team assisting him. However, the manager has tendered his resignation to take a similar position at another home. The Director of Care has identified a suitable internal candidate to appoint to the position of temporary manager in advance of appointing a permanent manager. Staff are aware of this appointment and are very positive and encouraged by this decision. Under the Care Standards Act 2000 the organisation is required to notify and register managers with Ofsted; this process is yet to commence.

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Leadership and management

The home is a strong, child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential. There is a clear vision for how the home should operate. Placing authorities have been positive about the service their young people have received. Communication with professionals and family members is excellent. Social workers say staff are very nurturing and supportive of young people and seem to have a vested interest in their care. The home was described as ‘a fantastic environment’ for one young person.

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Leadership and management

The home has established a comprehensive induction programme for all new staff that covers all aspects of good childcare, including child protection, safe handling of medication, behaviour management techniques, self-harm and drug and alcohol misuse. All staff benefit from regular supervision, which they describe as challenging and of high quality. The home is committed to an ongoing programme of staff appraisal and development. Individual performance is reviewed through regular supervision and an annual staff appraisal process. Staff have individual programmes of training arranged to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed. Staff describe management as extremely supportive and say that they enjoy working at the home. One commented on the home, ‘it is the best place I have worked.’

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Leadership and management

The home has a committed and highly-motivated staff team that consistently responds to and meets young people’s needs, including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Young people have full confidence in staff and know who is responsible for them at all times of the day and night. Staff rotas clearly demonstrate that staffing levels are appropriately and safely maintained.

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Leadership and management

At the last inspection in March 2011, two requirements and one recommendation were made. These have all been appropriately addressed, with the appointment of a manager, significant improvement in the delivery of supervision to all staff, and the recording and monitoring of physical interventions.

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Leadership and management

Staff have comprehensive written guidance, policies and procedures available to support their practice. The home’s Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide have been reviewed and updated. Both documents reflect recent changes in legislation. The guide, given to children when placed at the home, is child-friendly and contains comprehensive information. The Statement of Purpose sets the scene of what the home offers, its facilities and what young people can expect. Aims and objectives, as well as the philosophy of care, are clearly outlined.

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Leadership and management

The home is adequately resourced and there is a wide range of quality assurance processes in place at the home, including formal monthly visits by the Director of Care. Following a review of these processes since the last inspection, significant improvements have been made in terms of both quality and the content of reporting. The management team is perceptive in identifying the home's strengths and areas for further development and has positively reflected on the experience of previous inspections to improve this service. The home has a comprehensive development plan in place that is regularly reviewed and updated. These actions ensure that high standards are achieved and maintained.

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Leadership and management

There are systems in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant authorities of significant events that may occur within the home or with young people. Information is fully and accurately recorded, allowing the reader to easily make sense of the issues or concerns and understand how they have been dealt with. Young people’s individual records clearly reflect their diverse needs, with planning successfully addressing issues, such as identity, race, culture, disability and religion. Records are up to date, consistently well organised and securely stored to preserve and maintain privacy and confidentiality.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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