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

Unique reference number SC068206 Inspection date 05/12/2012 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/01/2012 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 service is one of a network of children's homes maintained by an independent children's home provider. The home provides a placement for one young person, supported by a staff team of four.

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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 outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

This home has an excellent track record of young people achieving in all areas of their lives and in being able to move on in a planned way to either foster placements, parents, or into semi-independence.

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides innovative and comprehensive planned care, which means that outcomes for young people are outstanding. Young people make excellent progress through their placement, with the young people and staff recognising and celebrating progress and achievement. The level of qualified and motivated staff, who are supported by a dynamic manager, is an obvious strength of the home and this is positively reflected in the care of young people. Young people benefit from sound relationships with staff and feel that adults care about their welfare. Robust safeguarding practice promotes the safety of young people, who feel safe within this home. The committed staff work hard to enable young people to reach their potential within education, and young people's health needs are prioritised.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people thrive within the warm, homely atmosphere provided. They are respected and valued as individuals. The staff actively challenge any discrimination and provide a range of holistic opportunities that support the development of young people. The management and staff teams are excellent role models who have respectful, consistent and warm relationships between themselves as well as with young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The management team understands the strengths and areas of future development for the home. They use consultation with young people effectively, and the manager is proactive in continuing to develop all areas within the home. The staff are highly committed to supporting and enabling young people to develop their skills and socially acceptable behaviour.

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Overall effectiveness

There is one recommendation from this visit relating to missing from home records.

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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 written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by staff, the circumstances of the child's return, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home, and any action taken in the light of those reasons. This relates specifically to having a central record of the information required. (NMS 5.10)

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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

Young people make outstanding progress from their starting points in all aspects of their lives, and as such their individual progress is clearly noted by themselves, their family and involved agencies. A young person said, ‘I have only been here a short while but it is really good and I haven’t been naughty.’ A social worker stated: 'He has made good progress in a short period of time.’ Young people feel valued, worthwhile and that they are individually important. This sense of belonging and interest enables young people to settle and significantly reduce some presenting difficulties which impact upon their health, welfare and future opportunities. Young people make good use of the time, energy and attention staff provide. As a result, young people grow in confidence, develop and build appropriate life skills, reduce risk-taking behaviours and are enabled to form attachments. This effectively raises

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Outcomes for children and young people

their self-esteem and improves their emotional resilience to the challenges of life.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are actively encouraged to attend educational provision and attendance is excellent. Young people say staff ensure that they are ready for school, that staff are always interested about their day and help with any homework set. As a result, young people feel they are nurtured and supported by staff. This ensures that young people have the opportunity to make exceptional progress towards educational achievement from their starting point at the time of placement.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Individual plans contain information regarding contact, and staff support young people before, during and after contact. Establishing meaningful contact is an area that this home excels at. One young person has been fostered by extended family due to the hard work in establishing and maintaining this relationship, in addition to the excellent transitional stages that staff have done. Young people recognise the setting as their home and invite family members for social occasions as well as to accompany them on organised activities. Parents report how good the communication is between themselves and the staff in the home. One parent reported, 'I feel really welcome here and the home is really trying to ensure we can all be together at Christmas.’ As a result, young people are able to maintain constructive contact as deemed appropriate by the placing authority with families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from individualised support which helps them grow in confidence. Young people develop their own identities through supportive staff and access to personal interests in the community. The home actively acknowledges racial, religious, gender and other differences and encourages open discussion and learning on such issues. The home ensures that mementoes, memories and achievements are recorded and saved for young people so they have an understanding of their past and background for their future. As a result, young people are encouraged to develop a positive self-view.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy a balanced diet and active lifestyles, which keep them healthy. Young people access suitable medical services and receive additional support from therapeutic agencies. This means they receive personalised and age-appropriate healthcare.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy opportunities to plan for individual or group activities and in the running of the home. Young people see the results of their ideas, which include their own choice of activity or decoration of rooms. Good use is made of independent or accompanied access into the community. Activities and resources include free time, in-house games, days out and visiting family and friends, meaning young people are actively and positively involved in a range of activities both in the home and out in the community. This gives them the opportunity to have new experiences, learn new skills and grow in confidence.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people in the home are appropriately placed there. Young people's needs are assessed appropriately and care plans outline how these needs are met. Placement plans contain good records which are updated appropriately and include all relevant details regarding young people’s needs. Staff complete records which include information about care, diet and support given to young people. Irrespective of the challenges they present, young people's well-being and individual achievements are at the centre of all practice. As a result, young people work towards achievable goals and their interests are fostered and built upon. This improves young people's confidence in their abilities and improves their self-esteem.

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Quality of care

Young people, their parents and professionals are consistently positive about the effective support and care young people receive from the experienced and stable staff team. Staff respond skilfully with sensitivity to enable young people to express their emotions safely, allowing positive, caring relationships to be maintained. Young people benefit from and recognise the strong commitment and high aspirations staff hold for them. As a result, relationships between young people and staff are excellent and continue after young people leave the service.

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Quality of care

The strong, committed staff team have consistently high aspirations for the young people in their care. They work strenuously to develop positive, constructive relationships with young people during the period of time in which they are accommodated. They provide opportunities for them to share their wishes and feelings. A member of staff said: 'Consulting and listening to young people's views and feelings are integral to daily practice.’ Young people use consultation sessions and simple conversation with staff to express their wishes and feelings. As a result, young people confidently express themselves both verbally and in writing in the knowledge that what they have to say will be heard and valued. A young person said, 'Staff are great listening to me and I feel that they try to do what I want.’

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Quality of care

This home takes all concerns raised by young people seriously. Any concern is treated as a complaint and therefore is processed through a robust system. Any complaint received is clearly recorded to reflect outcomes, including actions taken by staff and management to resolve the issue along with young people's responses. Any cases where it is not possible to act upon young people's wishes are sensitively explained to them. Young people feel confident in being able to discuss any concerns or complaints, and where differences of opinion arise, young people feel they are listened to. Staff consistently support young people in understanding why it may not be possible to act upon their wishes in all cases.

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Quality of care

Young people's health needs are prioritised and young people have regular access to health services specific to their needs. Health promotion is a prominent feature at the home. The physical, emotional and mental health needs of each young person are identified on admission and comprehensively supported throughout their stay. For example, excellent partnership working with health professionals means the home provides holistic care for young people. Records of appointments with health professionals are clearly maintained, ensuring the physical, emotional and mental health needs of young people are met. Medication is securely stored within the home, and designated staff are trained to administer medication safely. Clear records are maintained for the administration of medication and staff are vigilant in checking medication dispensed, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records are maintained.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs. They have opportunities to plan, shop and prepare meals. Young people are encouraged to eat meals at the table and share social occasions. Young people are supported to make their own snacks or drinks for themselves and others during the day, promoting young people’s independence.

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Quality of care

Young people are able to pursue their particular interests, develop confidence in their skills and are supported by staff to engage in leisure activities. The home is set up to offer a range of fun, leisure and educational activities which are planned in advance with the inclusion of the young people. The home provides young people with age- appropriate up-to-date books, literature and board games. Young people have access to transport provided by staff, which enables young people to access leisure activities in the community and visit family or friends.

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Quality of care

Education is highly valued and actively promoted. Staff have consistently high aspirations for the young people in their care. As a result, young people are enthusiastic and motivated and educational outcomes are very good. Effective and positive links have been established with educational establishments and these have been instrumental in helping some young people sustain educational placements. Staff ensure that young people are ready for their day, are interested in how their day went, and support young people by assisting them with homework and by celebrating any achievement or progress made by young people. Staff liaise with schools and attend any meeting or significant events. Thus young people feel that they are fully supported within education.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy living in a comfortable, well maintained home which is within a quiet local community and within walking distance of a range of social and leisure amenities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding young people is paramount and central to practice. Young people report they feel safe and are supported to keep safe, within age-appropriate boundaries. Young people know staff care about them and say they talk to them about risks and making safe choices. Staff are clear about their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding young people's welfare and staff are encouraged to keep their knowledge up to date by attending appropriate training. Staff are confident and clear about the action to take following any child protection incidents. This ensures that young people are protected from abuse. Child protection incidents at the home are dealt with appropriately and all professionals notified within appropriate timescales.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people confirm that they can openly talk to their carers over their worries and concerns, and feel that the adults listen well and care about their welfare. Young people are well informed of their rights and the range of independent people and organisations available for them to consult or complain to. Young people's privacy is respected and information is handled in a confidential manner. As a result, young people develop an awareness of the choices open to them and their sense of security and well-being is enhanced.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has clear, well understood and effective risk management strategies in place, which recognise the needs of young people and provide suitable strategies to manage any associated risks. The staff group is skilled at recognising and managing risk-taking behaviour and consistently implement the agreed strategies to reduce risks to young people. Staff act as good role models for young people. As a result, young people develop social and life skills and learn safe, appropriate and positive ways to manage their disappointments, frustrations and anger. All staff are fully trained in the use of physical intervention; however, such measures have not had to be used with this young person.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Sanctions, known as consequences, are appropriate and are reviewed regularly by the manager. Young people provide written comments on their receipt which provides opportunities to learn from their behaviours. The home uses positive reinforcement in the form of incentives for young people and they can receive extra monies. Staff are innovative in findings ways for young people to address their behaviour rather than punishment in the form of a consequence. Therefore, young people realise the consequences of their actions.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are safeguarded by good missing from home procedures. Young people rarely go missing and staff are able to demonstrate how and what action they would take to keep young people safe. There are systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities of any significant events. The home works with local police to help keep young people safe, and risk assessments are completed for young people who are at risk. The home can evidence that one young person who has moved on, significantly reduced their missing from home episodes. However, there is no central record of past and present young people placed there, and records can be found in several places. Therefore, it is difficult to see the history of this excellent work being done.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a home that provides physical safety and security. There are no major hazards to compromise welfare. Fire safety and health and safety checks are carried out at the required intervals. The home has established systems in place and structures to maintain safe practices and fulfil health and safety obligations. Young people's health and safety are protected by robust vetting of visitors to the home to prevent young people being exposed to potential abusers. No member of staff is allowed to work in the home until full checks are completed and records confirm all visitors sign in and out of the building. This ensures their safety.

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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

The home is effectively managed by the experienced and dedicated manager. In addition to monitoring individual care on a day-to-day basis, the management team regularly canvasses the views of young people, their parents and professionals on the service provided. Positive comments are built upon and any identified shortfalls promptly addressed, fully contributing to young people's explicit sense of belonging and being valued. As a result, excellent standards are maintained and the positive impact on young people's progress and life chances over their time in the home are demonstrated.

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Leadership and management

Young people are guided through and know what services they can expect from the home and how they will be cared for. The home's Statement of Purpose covers all matters as outlined in Schedule 1 of The Children's Homes Regulations 2001. An exceptional feature is that staff individualise the young person’s welcome book with information they have received prior to their placement. This gives young people a sense of being wanted and of being an individual.

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Leadership and management

There are various systems to monitor quality of care which includes monthly visits by a designated person. The manager has a development plan in place for the home which identifies areas for development. Regulation 33 and 34 monitoring is regularly carried out and young people are consulted during monitoring visits.

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Leadership and management

Staffing levels are good. The rotas and daily logs demonstrate there are sufficient numbers of staff on duty at all times which allow for individual attention and care. Staff have excellent qualifications and training to meet the needs of the young people. For example, most of the staff in the home have completed the National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Children and Young People at level 3 and new staff are quickly registered. Staff receive regular supervision and extensive training on issues which may affect young people in care and this is planned to meet both the needs of the young people resident at the home and the staff development needs. Staff feel they are knowledgeable, are supported in all areas and are rightly proud of their home. They feel this is then reflected in the care that they give to young people and in the excellent outcomes young people achieve.

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Leadership and management

The home has a robust recruitment practice. Young people benefit from a staff team which is enabled to provide purposeful quality and safe care. The roles and responsibilities of staff are clear. As a result young people benefit from excellent support to meet their individual needs.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager communicates and notifies agencies, including Ofsted, of significant information. Young people are therefore protected by multi-agency decision making. Records are securely kept, well maintained and any identified shortfalls are promptly addressed. This ensures high standards are maintained as well as contributing to young people's explicit sense of belonging.

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Leadership and management

The home is adequately resourced and managers ensure that health and safety requirements are met meaning young people live in a safe environment which meets their needs.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s records are well structured and are held securely and confidentially. They cover all matters required in the regulations. Staff and management are well aware of the process and requirements to report significant events. Young people make excellent progress because of the effective management systems that are in place.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s needs and development are reviewed regularly in the light of their care and progress at the home. Staff, young people and family contribute effectively to a young person's review and this ensures that any decisions are implemented into the daily care plan. The report provides up-to-date information, through discussion, as to how young people’s individual needs or any concerns are met. Their needs are reviewed regularly and young people confirm they are able contribute to their review and planned care.

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Leadership and management

All requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed fully.

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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 and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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