Children's Home run by Blue Mountain Homes Ltd in Derbyshire

Unique reference number SC436469 Inspection date 09/05/2012 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned home can accommodate up to three young people. The home can accommodate young people who display emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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 Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from highly individualised care and are actively involved in reviewing their care plans. The individual needs of young people are clearly identified, well met and reviewed. Young people are making good progress in education and are engaged in purposeful and beneficial activities outside of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff team ensure that young people are kept safe. Good relationships between staff and young people ensure that concerns are shared and acted upon where necessary. Effective monitoring by the manager ensures that the home meets the needs of young people. Staff are well supported in their duties and receive regular and high-quality supervision. However, there is no system in place to monitor when staff need appraisals.

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Overall effectiveness

The views of young people are taken into account in the running of the home. Their views are actively sought and recorded. This ensures that young people feel listened to and that their views are fully considered. Although not expressed as a problem by the young people, they have to ask staff to use the telephone. Furthermore, the telephone number for the Children's Rights Director is missing from the young person's guide. The physical environment is spacious and largely well maintained. However, there are some areas which are in need of attention. This does not impact on the outcomes for young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed and has robust plans in place to improve further. The manager is ambitious with her plans for the home and ensures that the staff team is motivated, well trained and committed to providing a high standard of care to the young people.

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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 subject to paragraphs (6) and (8), children accommodated in the home are provided at all reasonable times with access to the following facilities which they may use without reference to persons working in the home - a telephone on which to make and receive calls in private. (Regulation 15 (4) (a)) 29/06/2012

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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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Recommendations

 ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated; avoidable hazards are removed as is consistent with a domestic setting and risk reduction does not lead to an institutional feel (NMS 10.3)  ensure that the children’s guide includes a summary of what the home sets out to do for children, how they can find out their rights, how a child can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer, the Children's Rights Director, Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with inspectors, and how to secure access to an independent advocate (NMS 13.5)  ensure that all staff have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually and this appraisal takes into account any views of children for whom the service is providing. (NMS 19.6)

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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 make good progress in developing their emotional resilience and their self-view. This is effectively underpinned by sensitive support from staff. Young people make good progress in managing their emotions and benefit from access to a range of professional services available in the home. Young people make good progress with their health and have a good understanding of their health needs. Young people are encouraged and supported in maintaining their personal health. Healthy lifestyles are actively promoted in the home and young people enjoy healthy, varied and nutritious diets. Furthermore, they are encouraged to participate in active lifestyles. For example, young people are supported in regular exercise and in entering local 'fun runs'.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The views of young people are central to the operation of the home. Young people are consulted on day-to-day matters such as menu choices and activities. Furthermore, young people are able to express their individuality through choosing their décor in their bedrooms. Where young people express an interest in an activity, they are encouraged to attend and achieve. For example, musical instruments and lessons are sought for young people interested in music. A young person commented that they were, 'getting involved in more things; I am not shy anymore’.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have made good progress in reducing risk-taking behaviours such as smoking, self-harm and going missing from the home. This means that the outcomes for young people are improving and that they are educated on the dangers of engaging in negative behaviours. This has led to a reduction in unsafe behaviours from young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The educational achievement of young people is good. Young people make good progress in relation to their starting points. Young people who did not previously attend education now do so with regularity and success. This means that young people are making good progress and are achieving qualifications in line with their peers. Young people are encouraged to have high aspirations and are supported in exploring their career options. This in turn means that young people are developing clear, realistic and ambitious ideas for their futures. Young people are supported in developing their independence and maturity. For example, young people are encouraged to take responsibility for looking after pets in the home and completing independent tasks. For example, planning, purchasing and preparing meals and completing laundry tasks.

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Quality of care

Relationships between staff and young people are positive. The staff team are friendly, professional and committed to securing good outcomes for young people.

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Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to voice their concerns and these are acted on swiftly and appropriately. Young people benefit from regular advocacy, therapy input from a consultant psychotherapist and a supportive staff team. A range of support services are promoted in the young person’s guide although the number for the Children’s Rights Director is missing from this document.

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Quality of care

Young people’s contact with family and friends is encouraged and young people are supported in accessing family visits and overnight stays with friends. However, young people are not able to use a telephone without asking staff. Although young people say that this is not a problem, a requirement has been made to address this shortfall.

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Quality of care

The staff team are committed to ensuring all young people attend education. Where young people face difficulties, the home works closely with educational providers to overcome these. For example, young people are supported in exploring alternative educational provision. The staff team ensure that all relevant agencies are involved with young people. Furthermore, the home is proactive in sourcing opportunities in the local community, for example, work experience placements and further education colleges. Young people benefit from a staff team who are committed to supporting them reach their potential and realise their aspirations.

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Quality of care

The staff team is passionate and enthusiastic about raising awareness of different cultures. Regular theme nights take place in the home. Young people are encouraged to plan, purchase and prepare meals from around the world. This enables young people to develop an understanding of different cultures and traditions. This is further enhanced through supporting young people in researching dress and customs from different cultures. For example, specific clothing is purchased to link in with theme nights and this further enhances young people's understanding. The staff also ensure that equality issues are discussed in regular key-working sessions and house meetings. Recent topics have included racism, sexual health and bullying, among others.

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Quality of care

Young people are effectively supported in recognising and celebrating their achievements. Staff support young people in maintaining achievement folders which detail positive events and outcomes. For example, where young people have planned and prepared a meal for the house, this is documented through photographs and a detailed written record. Young people benefit as they are able to recognise their strengths and are able to reflect on positive events in the home.

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Quality of care

The staff team is skilled in engaging and communicating with young people in the home. A young person commented that it is ‘easy to express your opinions’. This is reflected in regular young people’s meetings and key-worker sessions. The views of young people are actively sought and used when planning activities, trips and events in the home. Furthermore, young people are actively encouraged to participate in contributing to their care plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans. This in turn, ensures that young people are aware and, as far as reasonably practicable, agree with their care.

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Quality of care

The views of other agencies are positive and the home has a good relationship with the local police, placing authorities and education providers. A social work assistant commented, ‘The staff keep us regularly updated’. An education provider said that they have ‘regular contact with the home and the staff’. This means that young people benefit from a staff team that is able to sensitively and appropriately share progress with relevant parties. This further promotes continuity of care for young people in the home.

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Quality of care

Medication arrangements are safe and secure. Young people benefit from regular health checks and are supported in maintaining their appointments with dentists, opticians and specialist services. Staff are confident and capable in addressing health needs for young people. The staff team has an excellent relationship with a specialist nurse. This means that young people benefit from access to services which fully meet their needs. The nurse commented that the staff ‘take health matters seriously’. The home encourages young people to participate in regular sessions with the nurse at the home. A range of topics are discussed and addressed including sexual health, smoking, effects of drugs and alcohol and personal care issues such as menstruation, puberty and routine health matters. The nurse commented that the staff ‘contact me appropriately and are always approachable’ and they ‘understand the health needs of the young people and are proactive in meeting their needs’.

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Quality of care

The home environment is warm and relaxing. There is some minor damage to the interior; a door frame needs decorating and some wallpaper is torn. The physical environment meets the needs of the young people and provides ample space to relax in. The outside of the home is well maintained and welcoming. A neighbouring field has horses and young people are supported and encouraged to feed the animals. Bedrooms are highly personalised to the individual tastes of young people and benefit from en-suite bathrooms which further promotes young people’s privacy and dignity.

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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's safety is well managed by the staff team. Young people say that they feel safe and there has been a reduction in the frequency of young people going missing from the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from highly individualised and thorough behaviour management plans. These plans, and risk assessments used in the home, clearly identify risks and protective factors for the young people. This means that all staff are clear on the arrangements for keeping young people safe. The home has implemented a system whereby young people are able to take a 'grab bag' if they chose to go missing from the home. This bag contains high visibility clothing, emergency telephone numbers and a first aid kit. This further enhances their safety. Staff are clear on their responsibilities when young people go missing from the home and ensure that young people are supervised at all times. The frequency of young people going missing from the home is reducing.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home benefits from strong links with the local police. Furthermore, young people at the home enjoy an excellent relationship with the local police officer and they regularly meet and discuss progress and safety issues. These meetings are informal and relaxed and support young people in engaging in positive behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The staff team are knowledgeable about the needs and vulnerabilities of young people. Young people feel that they can speak to the staff about a range of issues and are encouraged to share their worries, concerns and anxieties. Restraint is rarely used in the home and only used where absolutely necessary. The staff team uses a range of alternative measures to defuse challenging behaviours. Young people's positive behaviour is rewarded through the use of incentives and positive rewards. Where young people display challenging behaviour, appropriate sanctions are used. This means that young people are developing a better understanding of positive behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The staff team ensure that all incidents are handled appropriately. All significant events are swiftly and appropriately notified to parents, placing authorities and other relevant parties. Concerns over the safety or well-being of young people are rigorously addressed and referred to specialist agencies where necessary. This means that young people are kept safe by a vigilant and proactive staff team.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff recruitment is thorough and ensures that only suitable adults work with young people. All records relating to staff are up to date and appropriately maintained in the home. The manager closely supervises the staff team and encourages all staff to discuss any concerns direct with her. Furthermore, the organisation ensures that the senior managers regularly visit the home and that they are highly visible to the young people. This means that young people are able to discuss any concerns, worries or complaints.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The environment is safe and promotes the well-being of young people. All electrical and gas appliances are regularly checked and the home has clear and effective risk assessments for specific activities. Furthermore, the home's vehicles are regularly checked and maintained. This means that activities in which the young people engage are safe and appropriately checked for potential dangers.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from a home that is well managed, maintained and monitored. The Registered Manager is experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about further improving the home. This is reflected in a robust development plan which clearly identifies the areas of improvement in the home.

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Leadership and management

The manager has a clear and effective quality assurance process. This means that the home is regularly and rigorously monitored. Staff are well supported by the management in the home and benefit from experienced and effective leadership. The manager commented, 'We are a close staff team. I encourage staff to come to me with any concerns’. The manager ensures that all staff are regularly supervised and are able to discuss their feelings, ideas and performance. The training needs of staff are well met and ensure that persons looking after young people are capable and qualified. All staff either hold, or are currently working towards, the appropriate qualifications. The home is yet to finalise an appraisal schedule however. This means that it is not clear when staff's appraisals are due. This has not impacted on the outcomes for young people.

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Leadership and management

The home is regularly monitored by the organisation and reports are sent to Ofsted. This monitoring is effective as it shows areas for improvement and recognises progress. The manager also regularly monitors the home in line with the regulations. A bespoke quality assurance plan enables the manager to monitor the work of staff, ensure health and safety matters are regularly and effectively addressed and that the home is meeting the needs of young people.

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Leadership and management

Regular staff meetings ensure that all staff are able to share their views and ideas for improvements. The manager and staff team also discuss a range of relevant topics relating to the care of young people and wider practice issues. This ensures that the staff team are kept informed of current developments with regards to legislation and practice developments. Young people benefit from a knowledgeable and confident staff team.

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Leadership and management

The home's Statement of Purpose is comprehensive and clear. This document is fully updated and ensures that young people, parents and placing authorities are clear on the aims and objectives of the home. The manager ensures that there are systems in place to ensure that all records are stored securely.

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Leadership and management

The progress of young people is well monitored and recorded in the home. This ensures that review meetings with parents and placing authorities are comprehensive and the home can demonstrate the impact on young people. The views of those involved with the young people are positive and complement the work of the manager and staff team. Furthermore, the home enjoys positive relationships with the local community.

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Leadership and management

There are no recommendations or requirements from previous inspections. However, the manager is able to demonstrate how planned events have improved the home. For example, improvement brought about by staff training and acting on the views of young people. The home is well managed and ensures that young people are fully supported in making progress in all areas of their lives.

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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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