Children's Home run by Crossway Services Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC063498 Inspection date 23/07/2012 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/12/2011 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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Brief description of the service

This service is managed by an independent company who provide a number of small children's homes. The home provides accommodation for one child and is staffed in accordance with their assessed needs.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality 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 a home that provides a safe and comfortable environment. There is a strong and enthusiastic management team that supports and guides a caring and experienced staff group. It is evident that all staff enjoy their work and this positively benefits young people.

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Overall effectiveness

A particular strength of the home is that young people’s health needs are identified and fully addressed. Because of this young people are benefitting from a healthier life style and are receiving individual support to ensure they have emotional resilience.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people have positive views about the standard of care they receive and make excellent progress as a result of living at this home. The home excels at ensuring that young people receive education and are supported within education. Their attendance is excellent. Furthermore, the home supports and encourages engagement with extra curriculum opportunities and activities. Young people’s achievements are celebrated within this home. This is underpinned by effective support from a caring and dedicated staff team. Young people have positive relationships with staff and each other.

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Overall effectiveness

The individual needs of young people are met through detailed and comprehensive care planning. The individual vulnerabilities of young people are fully identified and carefully planned for. This ensures that all young people are safe at the home. This is confirmed by a range of external professionals who comment on the professionalism of staff, putting the young person at the centre of their care and the excellent progress young people have made over time.

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Overall effectiveness

Leadership and management arrangements are good. Effective support and supervision of the staff team ensures that a good quality of care is provided. There are excellent relationships between the home, education providers and placing authorities. The manager is able to identify areas of strength and weakness and is effective in making improvements to the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Areas for the home's development include ensuring that Regulation 33 visits are carried out regularly and that the restraint record complies with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001. Further to this, that all persons working in the home have a lone working risk assessment in place and that young people’s views, wishes and feelings are incorporated into their placement plan.

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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) visits by the registered provider shall take place at least once a month and may be unannounced (Regulation 33 (3)) 31/08/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17A (2001) the registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose. Specifically that the restraint record contains all the details set down within the Regulation. (Regulation 17 (3) (a) (b) (c ) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (4) (a) (b)) 31/08/2012

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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 all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support. Specifically in relation to ensuring that these views are recorded within their placement plan (NMS 1.3)  ensure where only one member of staff is on duty at any time, a risk assessment has been carried out and recorded in writing, identifying any likely risks to children, staff and members of the public. (NMS 17.9)

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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

Children and young people enjoy good healthy meals while in the home and are actively involved in making meal choices. There is good recognition of their individual dietary needs. As a result, young people, who previously chose a limited diet, have benefitted from a healthy diet and exercise. One young person says ‘I love pizza and would have it every day but I know that’s not good for me now, so I only have it on Fridays. I love Fridays.' Mealtimes are a social occasion where young people talk about their day and plan the evening.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive full-time education; have 100% attendance and the home works in partnership with education providers to ensure that young people’s individual needs and targets are consistently managed. Through active involvement with schools, staff have a good understanding of young people’s learning needs. This proactive approach to educational achievement ensures children receive support and guidance to reach their individual goals. A young person commented that school is going well and that they are proud of their achievements. They were proud to show the inspector a Liverpool top which was bought for them for their achievements at school. This means that young people benefit from a home that encourages them to achieve and young people make demonstrably excellent progress as a result.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people have access to a range of activities within the home, including board games, art equipment and books. Activities in the local community are promoted and designed to develop social interaction, independence skills and increase self-esteem. Young people benefit from a wide range of activities after school and for exercise. One young person says ‘I love trampoline club and I am looking forward to going to the summer club in the holidays.’ As a consequence, young people have benefitted from being a lot healthier, have a wide range of friends and have increased their confidence and self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are making excellent progress to develop their emotional resilience. Regular and structured discussions with key staff ensure that young people are able to explore their concerns, worries, anxieties and feelings. Young people also receive added support from independent therapists. Strategies and progress are fully discussed with the staff and young person. This enables young people to reflect on their experiences and reflect on events in their lives and ensures that staff are working closely together.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged and supported in maintaining contact with their families and friends. This ensures that young people are maintaining their emotional attachments. Furthermore, young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff and each other.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Young people feel cared for and respected at this home. One young person says ‘Staff don’t just talk to me but listen to me as well. I think I am doing a lot better because of this.’ Young people are encouraged to maintain positive behaviour within the home and the wider community. The staff team uses individualised incentive schemes and progress is regularly reviewed with young people. All young people have regular key working sessions. These sessions discuss a range of planned topics and all young people are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour. There is a reward system in place for young people and young people can earn extra outings, personal items or go out for a meal. This system has been well received by the young people and they confirm that this has had a positive impact on their behaviour and they are actively involved in choosing the rewards for positive behaviour. This coupled with

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Quality of care

individualised behaviour management plans has led to a reduction in challenging behaviours.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from good individualised placement plans that show how their care needs are to be met. However, although young people say that they are involved in these plans, their views have not been implemented within their placement plan. Therefore, it is unclear what their views, preferences, opinions and thoughts are about their care.

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Quality of care

Statutory reviews are well attended and plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the complex and diverse needs of the young people. Staff work in close partnership with families, schools and other agencies to assess, formulate and review care and health plans.

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Quality of care

The home has robust and secure procedures for the safe administering and storage of medication. These ensure that young people receive the correct medication at the appropriate times. The health needs of young people are well documented in detailed health care plans. Where concerns arise over the health needs of young people, these are quickly acted on. This ensures that the health needs of all young people are fully met. Furthermore, all young people are up to date with their health, optician and dentist checks. Staff receive training in the safe administration of medication and access specialist health training in order to support individual young people’s needs. Current medication systems are well managed and provide safe care and support for young people.

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Quality of care

There have been no complaints from young people. Young people know how to complain and there are well-established procedures in the home for young people to voice their concerns to staff. Young people confirmed that they understood how to raise concerns and were able to say what other professionals they could contact if they did not want to go through the home’s procedure. This ensures that young people have a range of services to help them convey their views.

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Quality of care

Young people who originally were causing concern within school are now achieving beyond expectations. This is evidenced by the numerous achievement certificates displayed in the home. Young people say this is because the staff team have helped them in all areas with support. Recent school reports are glowing and young people are above average in all subjects. Staff say this is down to the home advocating for young people, assisting with homework and constantly discussing education, career opportunities and supporting their continued attendance in education. This effective support from the staff team ensures that young people are able to maintain their placements. This means that young people's education is not disrupted. Excellent relationships between the home and school further enhance outcomes for young people

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Quality of care

Young people are actively encouraged to maintain contact with family and friends. Good contact plans show the frequency and any limitations to contact. Furthermore, several professionals are complimentary about the home, the staff and the service provided. This is echoed by placing authorities. A social worker commented about the staff, 'Communication is superb and the young person has made excellent progress. The staff have been consistent, nurturing and constantly look at strategies to elevate any difficulty.’ Another professional says ‘The care given at this home is the best. I have watched a young person grow and progress while they have been at this home and this can mostly be attributed to the individualised care they have received.’

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Quality of care

The property is decorated, maintained and furnished to a good standard. Young people have their own bedrooms which are decorated to meet individual tastes and needs.

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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 are safe and feel safe at the home. Furthermore, the safety of young people is well managed by a vigilant and observant staff team. All young people have individualised risk assessments that detail their vulnerabilities. This means that all young people are protected from harm and encouraged to reduce their risk-taking behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has clear policies and procedures in place to safeguard young people and has effective links with local safeguarding agencies and the police. Any investigations or suspicions of harm are dealt with without delay, fairly and consistently in a way that supports both the person making the allegation and the person subject of the allegation. The Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) says that this home is excellent in sharing concerns, reporting responsibilities and initiating strategy meetings to keep young people safe. Staff demonstrated that they understood their role and responsibilities in protecting, recording and following policies and procedures in all safeguarding issues. This ensures that all concerns are shared and, where necessary, strategies are implemented to further safeguard young people. Staff receive regular training in safeguarding and this provides them with the skills and knowledge to

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Safeguarding children and young people

protect children and young people from harm and abuse.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The staff team are trained in breakaway techniques and restraint has never been used in the home. But the home’s restraint log does not comply with the Children’s Homes Regulations. Although this does not impact on young people at present, the current recording format would not protect young people and staff. The manager ensures that sanctions are effective, time limited and proportionate. Therefore, the young people were able to say that they thought sanctions were fair and were able to comment on them within the recording log. One young person says ‘I had to replace an item that I took without permission. I think this is fair, as I would have expected the same.'

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people have not been missing from this home. However, effective safeguarding procedures are in place and staff demonstrated that they are knowledgeable about the missing from home protocols. This will ensure that young people would be reported quickly and returned safely if this matter was to arise. One young person says ‘The staff bought me a watch so I know what time I have to come in when playing out.’ This shows that staff are proactive in ensuring that young people are given freedom, are allowed to take natural risks and responsibility.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Adults wishing to work in the home are suitably checked and vetted prior to employment. The organisation has a clear and effective recruitment process and this is followed for all prospective staff. This ensures that only suitable adults are employed in the home. However, staff work individually with young people at this home and although there are good procedures around lone working, lone working risk assessments have not been completed. Therefore, any likely risks to children, staff and members of the public have not been identified. This could compromise safety.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home is physically safe and appropriately secure to take into account the needs of young people. Detailed risk assessments and fire safety checks are undertaken to promote safety and well-being. Young people benefit from a safety-conscious staff team. All required checks for electrical items and gas installations, amongst others, are regularly carried out. The staff team ensure that young people are adequately monitored at all times. Regular checks of the home ensure that any potential hazards to young people's health and safety are identified and acted upon.

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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

There are strong leadership and management arrangements in the home. There is an experienced and capable Registered Manager who also manages two other single occupancy home’s. He is supported by a knowledgeable deputy manager and a well- qualified, trained, experienced and proactive staff team. This ensures that the young people receive a good quality of care, enjoy good outcomes, and are protected from harm.

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Leadership and management

The staff team speak positively about their work and support they receive from each other and their direct managers. A member of staff commented that the manager is very supportive and approachable. The rapport between staff and young people is warm, friendly and respectful. The manager and staff team have the welfare of young people at heart and encourage them each to achieve well. Staff are enthusiastic about their care of young people and in their commitment to ensure positive outcomes for them.

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Leadership and management

The home was previously inspected in December 2011. Three recommendations were made. The home was asked to ensure that children knew how to take up issues in the most appropriate way, inclusive of complaints. Young people confirm that all issues are discussed through positive conversations, young people’s meetings and on a daily basis. They were asked to review incidents of challenging behaviour examining trends or emerging issues. Staff are now able to reflect and inform future practice. This is evident on the reviewing of behaviour management plans. The home was also asked to ensure that the behaviour management policy informs on how staff are deployed. This information is now contained in the care and control policy. Therefore, all recommendations given have been met.

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Leadership and management

The staff team is regularly supervised by the manager. This ensures that all members of the team are able to discuss their practice, the progress of young people and identify their training needs. Annual appraisals are planned over the coming months to provide a more formal review of staff performance. Regular staff meetings ensure that the team is able to share concerns, developments and good practice. This ensures that young people are cared for by a staff team that communicates effectively, works consistently and shares progress and concerns.

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Leadership and management

All staff have their National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in care. All staff are trained in first aid, safeguarding young people, restraint, child protection and food hygiene. The training needs of staff are thoroughly identified through regular supervision and staff receive training appropriate to their needs. This ensures that young people are cared for by a well-trained, capable staff team.

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Leadership and management

The progress of young people is carefully monitored. The manager regularly reviews the progress that all young people make and discusses concerns with the relevant parties. Excellent relationships with social workers, education providers, safeguarding professionals and health professionals mean that the manager is able to discuss progress and share concerns appropriately. Furthermore, the achievements of young people are equally shared and celebrated.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s records are clear and stored securely. Records are up to date and effectively contribute to an understanding of the child’s life. There are various systems in place to monitor the care given and the operation of the home and young people's views are sought as part of these visits. However, regular Regulation 33 visits have not taken place regularly. This does not ensure that there are good effective systems in place to monitor the quality of care.

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Leadership and management

The home is situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood and the manager has built effective links with local community groups and committees to further promote the positive reputation of the home. Other professionals speak highly of this home and the continuing positive outcomes for young people.

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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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