Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC061924 Inspection date 20/09/2012 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/03/2012 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

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of 12 years to 16 years, with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 are provided with highly personalised care which effectively meets their personal preferences, individual and diverse needs. Young people's opinions, wishes and feelings are valued and are central to the planning and organisation of the home. They confidently put forward their views, for example, their desire for additional overnight stays with friends. They benefit from positive relationships with staff, which are built upon honesty and trust.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are safe and feel safe. This is because of the effective safeguarding and missing from care procedures as well as the health and safety checks implemented within the home. Young people are confident to talk to staff and others about any concerns they may have and know that these will be taken seriously.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's needs are well met through personalised care planning. This means they are able to make good progress across all aspects of their welfare and development. This is supported by staff’s innate understanding of each young person's diverse needs. This ensures they continue to receive the help, guidance and support they need on a daily basis.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed. Most records and documentation are generally well maintained though there are some minor shortfalls with regards to the Statement of Purpose, sanctions, administration of medication, confidentiality and use of young people's initials in records. The home ensures the appropriate persons are notified of significant events. Systems for monitoring the quality and standard of care provided in the home are appropriate. However, the views of others, such as family members, are not always sought on the quality of care provided. As a result of this inspection one statutory requirement and four recommendations are made.

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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 the person carrying out the visit on behalf of the registered provider interviews with their consent and in private, the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care. (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 05/10/2012

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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 information about the young person is recorded in a way that will be helpful to them when they access their files now or in the future in particular files maintain confidentiality, young people's full name is recorded and a more child friendly approach to recording (NMS 22.5)  ensure when sanction are applied young people are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home in particular that these are recorded in their own words and they sign the record (NMS 3.18)  ensure the Statement of Purpose which is available to and understood by staff, young people and placing authorities, clearly reflects the home's policy on emergency admissions (NMS 13.1)  ensure young people's health is promoted in line with their placement plan and staff are clear about their responsibilities in particular if a young person is in not at home. (NMS 6.5)

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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 have a positive view of themselves and are developing an understanding of their background and family ties. They show increasing maturity and are more able to deal with difficult situations in a constructive manner. Young people have strong links with their families and friends and enjoy the opportunities to see them on a regular basis. Contact arrangements are managed very well and take into account each young person’s individual needs. This means young people are able to build and sustain positive relationships with those people who are important to them.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are developing an understanding of their own health care needs. They are generally fit and well. Young people say staff look after them when they are ill and make sure they get the right medical attention. Young people understand the importance of being up-to-date with their immunisations even though they do not like needles. They say this is because, 'X (staff) went with them'. They are aware of the health risks associated with smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs and say people, 'must be mad to do this'.

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Outcomes for children and young people

They are aware of and are engaging with a range of support agencies to help improve their health and well-being, such as child and adolescent mental health teams. They are aware of the importance of eating healthily and are working with the staff to compile weekly menus. Though they admit they can be, 'picky eaters,' they are willing to try new things.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's attendance at educational placements is much improved and until very recently were attending a number of placements during the week, however young people have now completed their time with them. Young people are currently consulting with staff, placements and Connexions as to the way forward for them. This demonstrates their commitment to their education. Some young people who have recently moved on had very good attendance and made excellent progress in relation to their starting points. Young people are aware of the importance of education; they say they are doing 'ok'. They are pleased they had the opportunities to do voluntary work with younger children, as this has shown them this is not the career path for them.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are growing in confidence and are developing skills for life. They are able to make decisions about their lives and influence what happens in the future. They are involved in decisions about the home, such as the décor in the bedrooms. They say they are very pleased with the colour scheme. Young people enjoy the opportunities to bake with staff, especially fairy cakes. They are confident to manage their own finances and beginning to undertake a range of household tasks, such as tidying their room, shopping for food and caring for their guinea pigs. Consequently, young people are developing a wide range of skills and experiences to support their independence.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy very positive and constructive relationships with staff. They are confident to talk to staff about everyday events and any issues that may be concerning them. Young people's views are actively sought with regards to them and the running of the home. Young people feel valued as staff listen to them and take their views seriously, such as their desire to see their friends. This openness enables staff to be responsive to the young people's every changing needs.

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Quality of care

There is plenty of friendly banter between young people and staff. Staff are positive role models who use effective communication skills to enhance young people's awareness of socially acceptable behaviours. This means young people are generally polite and respectful towards staff and others. Police missing from care co-ordinators say young people are much more respectful to the police and are more able to talk to them. Social workers also comment upon the young people's improved behaviour and their ability to discuss issues in a more productive manner.

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Quality of care

Key working sessions provide effective one-to-one support and to discuss things privately with staff. Young people are aware that it may not always be possible to act upon their wishes. They say staff are honest in their discussions with them and help them understand the reasons why. Young people are very aware of who they can talk to if they have any concerns or wish to make a complaint including independent organisations, such as the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS).

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Quality of care

Young people feel valued and respected as individuals. This is because of the well written, personalised placement plans which clearly identify their individual and diverse needs. Young people are fully aware of their content, as they have a say in their creation. Young people feel this it is important that they are able to contribute and agree the content. Young people are confident to attend their review and to put forward their wishes and feelings. Social workers and independent reviewing officers are pleased with the progress young people are making. They comment upon the 'dramatic' reduction of missing from cares episodes and the young people's ability to engage with their education.

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Quality of care

Staff have consistently high aspirations for young people's educational achievement. They work tirelessly to ensure they receive the right support and guidance so they make as much progress as possible in line with their starting points. The home’s morning routines effectively support young people. Staff ensure young people are up, ready and have everything they need for that day. Young people are provided with a choice of activities, such as youth clubs, but are currently choosing to spend time with their friends.

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Quality of care

Young people’s emotional health needs are well supported. Young people are becoming more confident and able to talk about their feelings and reflect upon past experiences. This has led to a decline in risk taking behaviours. The systems for the administration and storage of medication are generally robust. However, on one occasion a young person did not have access to their medication as they were not in the home. This meant the young person did not receive their medication within the designated timeline. Health care plans provide clear insight into the young people's health needs and the systems to support their independence. For example, young people take responsibility for the self-administration of some medication, such as inhalers. Young people live in a warm, welcoming, homely environment that meets their needs. Young people's bedrooms are personalised to reflect their interests and individual tastes. The home is decorated and maintained to a good standard. The

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Quality of care

rear garden in maintained and provides a comfortable area for relaxation, activities and space to care for their pets.

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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 live in a safe environment where they are effectively protected from harm and have a sense of safety. They say that they feel safe at the home. Young people are safeguarded because staff have a secure understanding of the home's safeguarding and child protection procedures. This means they are clear on the action to take should they have any concerns about young people. Staff are committed to preserving the confidentiality, dignity and privacy of young people. Staff are fully aware of any issues which may impact upon young people's safety or well-being. Consequently, they are able to take appropriate action to support each young person.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people rarely go missing and if they do they return quickly. This is confirmed by police liaison officers who report the incidents of young people being missing have, 'dramatically declined', due to the 'proactive approach' of staff. They say the systems in place should a young person be missing are effectively implemented. Consequently, young people are quickly located and are able to return home safely. Young people get the right help and support should they go missing this is because of the good support they receive from staff.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people know what standards of behaviour are expected and possible consequences of poor behaviour. Staff are positive role models who are very good at encouraging positive behaviour by offering high levels of praise and encouragement. Consequently, young people are able to consider their own behaviours resulting in a decline of inappropriate behaviour. Young people are aware that sanctions may be imposed. They say these are fair and the house rules are, 'ok'.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Sanctions are generally well recorded, however, on a small number of occasions it is not clear if young people have been asked to comment upon or sign the entry. Incentive and reward schemes work well as they are meaningful and doable for young people. Young people show increasing responsibility and maturity when dealing with difficult situations such as the ability to apologise for their behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a physically safe environment. They are protected from any hazards by a comprehensive range of health and safety procedures, risk assessments and checks. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks to ensure the premises are safe and young people know what to do in case of an emergency. The recruitment and selection of people working at the home is thorough to make sure young people are protected. The provider carefully ensures that staff have the skills and competencies to meet the needs of individual young people. The vetting of visitors to the home is robust and ensures the safety and well-being of young people.

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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

The home is managed by a committed, qualified and competent Registered Manager. The home has an appropriate development plan in place, which includes an agenda for improvements. This demonstrates the home's commitment and capacity for on- going improvement and how this will improve the outcomes for young people. This includes revising some documentation and introducing additional reporting systems in relation to missing from care. Staff are very supportive of the Registered Manager and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They say that the Registered Manager is always available to talk to and their positive attitude means any issues are quickly resolved. Staff are well supported on an individual basis and receive regular one-to-one professional supervision. This enables them to reflect upon their own practice and identify their future developmental needs.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose generally provides a clear picture of the care and support provided to young people. However, it does not make clear as to the home’s position on emergency placements. Staff and the Registered Manager are aware of the procedures in place and while this does not impact upon the care provided means the information is not readily available to placing authorities.

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Leadership and management

Young people are very well informed about their rights and the support provided. This is achieved through direct discussion with young people and the detailed, young people's guide which is provided to them. The young people's guide is updated on a regular basis to ensure the information remains current such as the name of their inspector. This means young people know who to contact with any concerns, such as the Children's Rights Director.

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Leadership and management

Young people are cared for by a team of staff who have a range of skills and experience. This enables them to provide good support to young people. The staff team reflects young people's cultural backgrounds and provides both positive male and female role models. All staff hold a recognised qualification or are working towards one. Staff are able to access training to further develop their current skills for example, a qualification at level 5, diploma in management or courses on child sexual exploitation. Overall, this helps maintain and develop staff knowledge and skills so they can meet the diverse needs of young people.

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Leadership and management

Records and documentation are usually well maintained and provide insight into children and young people's time in the home. However on some occasions confidentiality is not effectively maintained, for example, naming two young people within a record. Also in a small number of incidents records are not recorded in a child friendly manner. The practice of young people are only being identified by their initials is not appropriate. In these instances which are sporadic means information is not always recorded in a way that will be helpful to young people. The home has sound systems to review the quality of care each month. The Registered Manager consistently monitors the running of the home and identifies areas for improvement. Action is taken to ensure the home meets the children's needs and promotes their welfare. The responsible individual visits every month to monitor the quality of care. However, reports do not always evaluate the

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Leadership and management

effectiveness of the records, the views of children and their families and the views of staff are not always sought on the quality of care. The home is therefore unable to fully demonstrate how these have influenced proposed improvements and developments in the service. There are appropriate systems in place to notify Ofsted of any significant issues with regards to the children and 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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