Children's Home run by Essandore Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC066218 Inspection date 20/06/2013 Inspector Sonya Robinson / Marian Denny Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 22/01/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

Brief description of the service

The home offers accommodation for young people who have learning disabilities and who may also have physical disabilities. The home is owned by a private company.

p.3

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

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.3

Overall effectiveness

This children’s home is making a real difference to young people’s lives and young people are achieving some outstanding outcomes when considering their starting points, for example riding a bike, using a computer tablet, being able to cope (with staff support) within the community to enjoy the things many of us take for granted, such as going shopping. Young people live in a safe place where they are protected from harm. Knowledgeable and experienced staff have developed positive relationships with young people. Staff manage young people’s anxieties and frustrations in a calm and safe way. As a result young people feel settled and secure; this leads to a reduction in incidents of difficult behaviour. The structured, calm and supportive environment is enabling young people to make very good progress and achieve better outcomes in their educational, behavioural, social and emotional development. Parents and professionals are pleased with young people’s progress

p.3

Overall effectiveness

and positive about the quality of care they receive.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

All aspects of care planning and practice are highly personalised and tailored to meet the individual needs of each young person comprehensively and take into account their disabilities. The manager and staff work in a coordinated way with young people, their family, social workers, health professionals and schools to plan and put into practice the arrangements for young people’s care. This ensures that young people continue to get the right help, guidance and advice they need on a daily basis.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people’s needs and views are central to the running of the home. Staff encourage and support disabled young people to express their views and wishes, regardless of young people’s preferred means of communication. Parents are in regular contact with their children and continue to play an active part in their lives. This has been positive for young people, because it enables them to maintain and develop important relationships. The manager and staff have positive working relationships with parents. They seek parents’ views about all aspects of their children’s care, take their comments seriously and offer reassurances.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The leadership and management of the children’s home are strong and effective. The provider and manager effectively monitor the quality of care. They understand what they do well and the areas for improvement. They are keen to develop the service they provide and support young people to make progress and reach their fullest potential. As a result of this inspection two recommendations are raised with regards to young people's records and staff training.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure records and documents are clearly recorded and in a way which will be helpful to children in the future (NMS 22.5)  ensure that all existing care staff, have attained a minimum level 3 qualification. This was previously the National Vocational Qualification in Caring for Children and Young People and from September 2010 is the Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma. (NMS 18.5)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are outstanding .

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are making exceptional progress within the home and as a result they are feel confident and settled. Parents said it is a, 'very positive and caring environment. All staff very responsive to our child's needs' and, 'I am most impressed with everything about my child's home and everything from the level of care through to the personal care is impeccably professional.'

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are making remarkable improvements in their use of language; they are developing a wider vocabulary and more routinely talk using words and complete sentences. For others the use of a computer tablet has vastly enhanced their communication abilities. This ability to express themselves more clearly has helped them to feel less frustrated and has led to improvements in their behaviour and emotional well-being.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make significant and continuous improvements in their social skills. Over time they have developed positive relationships with staff and are more relaxed around other young people. They feel able to spend more time as part of a group; for example, going to a local youth club for young people with disabilities. For some children and young people this is an exceptional step forward in developing appropriate social relationships. There have been huge improvements in young people's behaviour and social skills. This has resulted in young people achieving in areas such as, riding a bike, attending dental appointments and other medical appointments.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are developing a very good awareness of healthy lifestyles. They are enabled to make informed choices about what they wish to eat. Staff are very attentive to the specific dietary needs of young people. Young people are encouraged to try new foods to broaden their dietary repertoire and regularly choose fruit and yoghurts for dessert; although, some young people are really happy when homemade cookies or cake is on the menu.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people respond positively to the challenges that staff provide them with to promote their personal growth. They enjoy a variety of stimulating activities and new experiences in the home and out in the community that otherwise may not be available to them, including going to the park, theatre, cinema, and going out for meals. As a result they have greater access to a wider range of opportunities to explore the world they live in and enjoy life to their full potential.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy school and their level of attendance is exceptional. They are making exceptionally good progress in developing their knowledge and skills, including improving their communication skills. From time-to-time some young people struggle in school, but this has not prevented them from attending.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are taking opportunities to become more independent that are appropriate to their age, level of understanding and ability. They take more responsibility for their personal care, going shopping and helping around the house and some meal preparation. They make informed choices about how they spend their time, what they have to eat and they influence the running of the home. Some young people are involved in more complex decisions affecting their lives, including their future care needs and being nearer to relatives.

p.5

Quality of care

Relationships within the home are caring and supportive. Young people generally get on well together, and at times take pleasure in each other’s company for example, having a bike and wheelchair race. Staff treat young people with respect, and show consideration for what makes them different from others. Staff encourage young people to develop their independence skills in a way that helps young people be as independent as they can be, irrespective of their individual limitations.

p.5

Quality of care

It is clear that the interests of the young people are at the heart of the home’s operation. Staff involve young people in decision making at all levels. For example, regular young people's meetings enable young people to make their views known and exercise choice over things, such as activities. Individual work and support between young people and staff ensure that each young person is aware of their placement plan and what is being done to help them progress, for example when moving on into adult services. The home uses a variety of communication methods, including picture symbols, in accordance with young people’s individual abilities and understanding. This means that young people whose communication skills are limited can be more fully aware of how well they are doing and the plans for their future. Placement plans for young people are detailed and updated as required. This makes them responsive to any change in a young person’s circumstances. However, some

p.5

Quality of care

day-to-day records, such as individual goals achieved, do not consistently reflect the work that is undertaken with the young people.

p.6

Quality of care

All the young people attend a school or college. Staff promote and support the education of young people effectively. Communication between the home and school ensures that relevant information about young people can be shared. This helps to iron out any issues which may affect a young person in either setting. For example, one young person was late to education on a number of occasions due to the distance and weight of traffic at times, after being discussed, this has been acted on and staff and young person leave earlier.

p.6

Quality of care

The home keeps young people healthy. None of the young people engage in activities which would harm their health, such as smoking. Staff encourage young people to make healthy choices in terms of food, exercise and personal hygiene. This enables young people to take greater responsibility for their own health and to understand why it is important. Staff provide support to meet young people’s emotional needs, helping them to reflect on their feelings and deal more effectively with stress. Staff are supported in this by a designated specialist worker in autistic spectrum disorder from within the organisation.

p.6

Quality of care

Effective health care arrangements are in place. Health care plans are detailed and are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain current. The arrangements for administering medication are robust and ensure young people receive their medication at the right time. The use of enhanced communication has enabled young people to have a greater say in the medication administration process and also as a means of alerting staff if they are feeling unwell. All staff who give out medication are trained in the administration of medication. Young people live in a healthy environment that actively promotes their physical health and emotional well- being. Young people’s health care needs are identified and are well supported.

p.6

Quality of care

Staff make sure that young people are able to experience as many activities as possible. Staff have taken young people abroad on holidays and out on regular day trips. Individual choice is promoted, and staffing levels are sufficient to ensure that the choices of the majority of young people do not curtail what one young person may wish to do. Despite the learning disabilities of the young people, staff promote activities within the wider community, such as going for a coffee and attending various local attractions. As a result, young people do not feel excluded from anything that other young people in society can enjoy. The home is roomy, homely and comfortable. It provides plenty of space for young people to do things with staff and each other, as well as spend time in private if they choose. Young people can choose the décor for their bedrooms and decorate them with personal pictures and effects; this enhances their sense of belonging.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people confirmed that they are happy and know who to communicate with if they are sad. Professionals state that the young people are protected from harm. Parents also say that staff keep them very well informed about the welfare of their child and that staff make sure their child is kept safe. At times, young people display targeting behaviour because of frustration or perhaps as a result of external factors, such as warm temperatures during the summer months. However, staff are proactive in dealing with such situations and ensure all the young people are safeguarded and receive good support and care.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

The management team ensures staff attend regular and up-to-date training in child protection that includes the particular vulnerabilities of disabled children. Effective systems are in place to record and manage any concerns regarding the welfare of children. Staff demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the need to highlight any physical or emotional changes in young people that may indicate they have suffered harm.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are trained and experienced in an accredited behaviour management technique, including the use of physical intervention. Management and staff observe and analyse trends and patterns of behaviour and encourage young people to adopt less harmful ways to express themselves. This has resulted in a significant decrease in some young people’s self-injurious behaviour and a reduction in outburst episodes. This has resulted in a real improvement in the emotional well-being of the young people and in their safety.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

The manager operates careful selection and vetting of staff working in the home to prevent unsuitable people having access to vulnerable children. Rigorous induction programmes ensure staff are equipped to care safely for each child in a manner that protects their rights and dignity. Young people’s views of the care they receive forms an integral part of the staff’s performance review, as the manager and the deputy manager uses observation to continually assess relationships and interactions between staff and young people. This ensures safe caring practice is maintained and young people remain comfortable with staff that support their personal care.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a home, which is well decorated and homely. Health and safety checks in relation to gas and electricity are in in place. The manager always ensures regular health and safety checks are carried out and the home is well maintained. This ensures the home is physically safe and secure for the young people.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Individual, detailed risk assessments are in place to identify any risks young people may face and they include the strategies for managing these. Staff effectively supervise young people according to their individual risk assessments. Young people going missing from the home is currently not an issue. There are clear procedures to follow should young people go missing from home.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff help young people to have opportunities to experience independent movement, such as playing outside in the garden or independently relaxing in one of the leisure spaces available in the home. Some young people can use the accessible kitchen with support. This improves their understanding of personal safety, as they can try new activities for example, making a drink and scones in a secure and supported environment.

p.8

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

Young people live in a home that is effectively and efficiently managed in their best interests. The home meets the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose, and young people, families and social workers are clear about the services and support the home provides.

p.8

Leadership and management

The manager and staff clearly demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering good child care practice tailored to the individual and personal needs of the young people they look after this has resulted in outstanding outcomes for the young people. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the progress young people have made in many aspects of their lives, including attendance in education and educational achievement, the development of independence skills and improved social interaction.

p.8

Leadership and management

The manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and areas for further development based on strong evidence. The manager makes good use of reflective practice ensuring good communication and consultation with the young people, parents, staff and social workers.

p.8

Leadership and management

The manager and the deputy monitor the quality of care to improve the services provided to young people enhancing the positive outcomes achieved. The home shows a capacity for sustained improvement. The external monitoring of the home is also thorough and reports regarding this have been regularly received by Ofsted. Evidence indicates clear lines of enquiry and focus based reporting and the manager is effective in demonstrating efficient responses to areas for development.

p.8

Leadership and management

Staff say they are well supported by the manager and deputy. They have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They confirm that when they need support and guidance, the manager and deputy are available and they receive one- to-one supervision consistently. Furthermore, team meetings take place every month. This enables the staff team to come together to discuss the running of the home and to look at ways to improve the service they offer and to reflect on young people’s progress and how best to support them. Young people are looked after by a competent staff team who have a range of skills and experience. The numbers of staff on duty are sufficient to meet the needs of young people. Staff access a training programme that covers the needs of young people and provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively do their work. Most have a childcare qualification with only one or two due to

p.8

Leadership and management

commence the Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma.

p.9

Leadership and management

The home’s written records are securely stored and overall provide good picture of individual young people’s needs, development and progress. The home keeps relevant authorities informed of any significant events that occur within the home.

p.9

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.

p.10

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 the inspection of children's homes.

p.10