Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC020595 Inspection date 11/10/2012 Inspector Julian Mason Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/03/2012 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

This is a privately-owned children's home for up to four young people with emotional and/or 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’s safety and protection is paramount and they receive the necessary level of support that successfully meets their welfare needs. The Registered Manager and staff team are conscientious and committed to managing the home in a way that best suits each young person and their circumstances. Young people are able to make meaningful contributions to the running of the home because they are listened to and their opinions valued. Staff provide an environment where young people are treated fairly and with equal concern. Young people feel safe in the home and with the staff who look after them.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff have access to a good range of information that informs them about each young person’s individual needs. However, not all placement plans fully reflect individually assessed needs and how these will be met. Although the current impact on young people is minimal, it slightly undermines the home’s placement planning processes. Routine checks on fire safety equipment and prevention measures are undertaken but poorly fitting fire doors are not necessarily detected quickly; however, when faults are discovered they are fixed straightaway.

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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

12A (2001) ensure that each young person's placement plan is prepared in accordance with the provisions in Regulation 9 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 (Regulation 12A(1)) 30/11/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire including the provision of suitable fire equipment. This relates to the checking of fire doors and that and that they can be close properly in the event of a fire. (Regulation 32(1)(a)) 30/11/2012

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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

Young people’s needs in relation to their privacy, dignity and welfare are fully supported and met. Staff successfully work in partnership with young people and a range of professionals to ensure that their care and support practices match individual needs. For example, young people participate in planned life story work, which helps improve their understanding and knowledge of their personal histories and identities. This work is professionally supervised and provides young people with important information that aids their emotional resilience. Staff provide careful and sensitive support to assist young people in building their confidence and developing a positive self-view. Staff also provide a pictorial and written ‘here and now’ book reflecting the events, activities and relationships young people experience while at the home. This good practice really benefits young people as it makes a further

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Outcomes for children and young people

contribution to their life story record.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological needs are well promoted and met. Young people are consistently supported to access the services they need and staff closely monitor young people’s health and well-being. The home has very effective links with specialist services that provide guidance and support to the staff team and young people. Frequent discussions with young people help them to make informed choices about their own health; they also learn about how to lead healthy lifestyles. Young people’s attendance at school is good and staff monitor their progress through regular dialogue with teachers and support staff. One professional stated, ‘there has always been a close liaison with school and a combined approach taken.’ The home’s routines prioritise and promote education as being very important. This is reflected in the flexible approach to supporting young people when they experience difficulties

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Outcomes for children and young people

with their learning or relationships. Staff listen to what young people have to say in order to help them overcome challenges and to maintain their good attendance. Young people are able to pursue individual interests and hobbies as well as taking part in a range of leisure activities and trips. Young people are encouraged to try new leisure experiences which staff actively support and facilitate.

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Quality of care

Young people experience a home environment that promotes positive social interactions and respectful behaviours. Staff use their knowledge, skills and training to help young people learn and understand how to behave towards each other and maintain socially acceptable boundaries. Young people have significant histories of difficult and challenging behaviour but staff work consistently and patiently, following agreed plans that aim to help modify anti-social or risky behaviours. Because of this approach, young people gain honest feedback that promotes opportunities to positively influence their relationships. Professionals comment, ‘throughout my involvement with the home they have demonstrated a consistent commitment to the young person. It has also been based on a clear understanding of the theoretical position underlying the young person's relationships and behaviour.’ And, ‘the young person has very positive relationships with several members of staff. These have

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Quality of care

been built up slowly over several years.’

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Quality of care

Young people are fully consulted about their care and support arrangements and know how to raise a concern if they are not happy about something. No complaints have been made about the home since the last inspection. Their views, wishes and feelings are actively and regularly sought, the home’s staff receive this feedback in a number of ways through written or verbal communication. As a result, the home’s routines and activities are safely shaped around young people’s needs and expressed preferences. For instance, they are able to pursue their hobbies and interests, choose foods they like to eat, spend time with staff or have private time on their own. Young people’s routines are very different from each other because they are encouraged to make different choices and express their individuality.

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Quality of care

Staff have access to a full range of information that informs them about each young person’s needs. Young people’s placement plans vary in quality and information but this largely relates to the circumstances regarding young people who have recently arrived at the home. Staff are able to draw on detailed information regarding young people’s ethnicity, heritage and identity. They use this information to supplement information young people share about themselves so informed support can be given sensitively. Young people who express confusion about their heritage and identity are given the time and space to think about these matters. Staff are able to signpost young people to resources and materials that support their learning and understanding. Staff acknowledge that this can be a sensitive and difficult area to pursue so young people are able to explore these matters at their own pace.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a suitable, safe and pleasant home with lots of space in a very quiet rural location but with easy access to necessary services and facilities. The home provides a comfortable and homely environment, which is well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards are removed or remedied quickly to ensure good standards of health and safety are achieved for everyone. For instance, where it is identified that internal fire doors do not close properly, these are quickly fixed.

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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 and welfare is compressively promoted so they are protected from harm and abuse. Staff have a good focus on young people’s welfare, practicing a culture of openness and trust. Staff are trained in matters that relate to child protection and they are alert to any signs or symptoms that might indicate that an individual is at risk. The Registered Manager and staff team work effectively and in partnership with other agencies and professionals to ensure safeguarding procedures are followed. This includes events where young people go missing from care although these circumstances do not occur often. Young people say they feel safe and with the staff who look after them.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff follow the home’s policy on managing young people’s behaviour. This includes a clear focus on supporting positive, improving behaviour and the primary use of de- escalation techniques to manage difficult or risky situations. Physical interventions are sometimes used but the need for this approach is infrequent. Methods of behaviour management are regularly discussed in team meetings, which support the home’s ethos, philosophy and approach to each young person’s care. Young people receive frequent feedback about their behaviour and understand what is expected of them. One professional stating that, ‘the young person is always spoken to and talked through his behaviour and the decisions he is making. Time appears to be given to this as a key factor in helping the young person.’ Young people benefit from having individual behaviour management plans that include areas for improvement. Young people understand how to gain rewards and state that any sanctions give are

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people’s safety is further protected by the careful selection and vetting of staff working with young people in the home. New staff do not start working in the home until their suitability has been determined. Visitors are checked and monitored to ensure young people are safe. The home’s environment is assessed regularly to ensure safe standards of health and safety are achieved. Fire equipment and prevention methods are also checked regularly. Overall, these checks demonstrate the home’s vigilance around fire safety although the robustness of checks relating to the operation of internal fire doors is not strong. However, where deficiencies are identified these are quickly remedied to ensure the home’s environment is safe.

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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 effectively and efficiently, delivering a service that meets each young person’s needs. The Registered Manager has well-established systems and procedures for monitoring and evaluating the operation of the home. There is a clear focus on continuous improvement and there is a written development plan that supports this agenda. Young people, family members, placing social workers and staff regularly contribute their views and opinions about the home’s operation. This information is included into the Registered Manager’s monitoring and taken into account when assessing the quality of care being provided. For instance, as a result of recent consultation, a young person’s bedtime has changed and a parent’s view of their role and relationships with staff has been shared with the team.

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Leadership and management

The provider has good arrangements in place to monitor the home. Monthly visits are conducted by an organisational representative and findings are reflected in written reports which are sent to Ofsted. The reports are of good quality and highlight young people’s progress in key areas of their development as well as required checks set out in regulations and guidance. The reports make a meaningful contribution to the evaluation of the service and what is being achieved for young people.

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Leadership and management

The home provides good access to a range of information that describes how the service operates and how it will achieve improving outcomes for young people. The Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide is reviewed annually to ensure the information is current and up to date. Comprehensive case files are maintained and updated to ensure all required information reflects each young person’s progress and development. Young people’s privacy and confidentially is maintained because case files are kept securely and safely.

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Leadership and management

Trained and well supported staff are deployed in the home in sufficient numbers and with the right experience to consistently meet the current needs of young people. One professional stated that, ‘staff appear to be well supported and there is a depth of knowledge expressed by senior staff.’ The stable staff team are very familiar to young people who experience little disruption to their relationships or attachments with their carers. Any shortfalls in permanent staffing levels are covered by existing team members or staff who know young people well and how the home operates. The team are either appropriately qualified or studying to gain the necessary qualification consistent with their role and responsibilities. Staff have access to a good quality learning and development programme which equips them with the skills required to meet the current needs of young people. Staff feel very well supported in

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Leadership and management

their work and can access practical advice and guidance on a daily basis.

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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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