Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire East

Unique reference number SC060590 Inspection date 03/07/2013 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/01/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, run by a private company, is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is also registered as a school and provides education on the premises.

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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 make good progress in relation to their starting points. This is achieved through highly personalised care planning and practice; which focuses on the assessed needs of each young person.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people progress in education from their starting points. They have access to a range of professionals that meet their physical and emotional health needs. Good communication and working alongside others; for example, parents where appropriate, benefits the young people. Placing social workers commented positively on the progress young people have made; the effectiveness of communication and the professionalism of the staff. They also reported parents’ satisfaction with the care provided.

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Overall effectiveness

While it is evident that the home has been active in advocating for young people, education placements are not always available in a timely manner. A recommendation has been made in this respect. However, it is acknowledged that young people have been assisted to continue learning in the interim; through the efforts of the staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people have a highly positive view of their care and of their relationships with staff, which promote mutual respect. They say the home is a ‘really good place’ where staff ‘support you’ and ‘care about you’.

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Overall effectiveness

There is a strong focus on keeping young people safe, enhanced by detailed and effective risk assessment and management. Young people say they are safe in the home. They are encouraged to voice their views and opinions, and do so.

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Overall effectiveness

A strong staff team ensures that young people are cared for within a nurturing atmosphere with predictable, organised routines and clear expectations. Young people respond positively to this. The team work together well, under the positive leadership and supervision of the manager and deputy, and in the interests of the young people. The practice in the home is well monitored and focuses on improving outcomes for the young people.

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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 children are supported to attend school, college or educational provision regularly. (NMS 8.3)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress in developing confidence and a positive self-view. They understand their backgrounds and why they are in care. Young people are cared for in line with individualised care plans and have key workers who help them understand their plans and achieve their aims. They have photo albums which they annotate and which provide a personal record of their time in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy good physical, emotional and psychological health. Where needed, they have access to a range of health professionals and agencies; some of whom help young people understand about healthy living. This means that they can make informed lifestyle choices.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The educational progress of young people is good, taking into account both their attainment and starting points. Older young people find out information and pursue college courses in line with their wishes and interests.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Where young people are waiting for schools to be arranged; they benefit from the provision of educational activities that are geared to their age and abilities.

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Outcomes for children and young people

A wide range of activities and outings, some with an educational aspect, are enjoyed by the young people. Through these they meet with young people of a similar age outside of the home. For example, they enjoy cub groups, horse-riding, swimming, outings for pleasure and holidays.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Older young people have visions for their future, are learning life skills and have opportunities to volunteer locally as preparation for working life. Young people say that they enjoy good relationships with staff and that they can talk to them. They know that staff care about them. In addition they have people outside of the home who they can contact directly should they have any concerns.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are involved in care planning, attend their meetings and have many opportunities to express their wishes and feelings, with support when they need it. They say that reasonable requests are responded to positively. They choose items for their rooms and are involved in menu and activity planning.

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Quality of care

Individualised care planning involves young people and ensures their needs, such as those relating to culture and religion ,are assessed and met. Young people follow the practices of their faith.

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Quality of care

Staff are inventive and innovative in the methods they use to engage young people in achieving the targets set within placement plans. They use strategies, such as the use of role play, work books on sexual exploitation and group sessions; as appropriate to the needs, ages and levels of understanding of young people. Good communication within the home and with other professionals, such as, with education, health, parents and police, benefits the young people.

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Quality of care

Young people progress in their education. The home has an in-house classroom and teacher; and successfully engages young people in education. Where young people do not yet have an identified school placement; the staff, under the direction of the teacher, work with them during school hours. When young people are educated in- house, the home provides opportunities for young people to meet others in the community which prevents isolation. Staff are knowledgeable about local amenities, and inform young people so that they can make informed choices about their leisure time.

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Quality of care

A strong commitment to contact enables young people to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. The majority of young people are placed at some distance from their home areas; however, contact is well supported despite this. For example, arrangements have been made for young people to go on summer holidays at the same venue as their siblings. Social workers commented that the home’s support for contact is ‘second to none’.

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Quality of care

Young people learn to manage their own behaviours. This is achieved through regular in-depth discussions about presenting behaviour; the use of positive behaviour management strategies and the provision of highly consistent care. Young people respond well to the reward systems; which are based on a small number of achievable goals. They are routinely praised and their achievements are celebrated. Few sanctions are applied and those that are, are appropriate. Young people sign and add their comments to the records. Social workers commented on how well the young people have settled into the home, following emergency placements, and attributed this to the skills of the staff. Young people are helped to familiarise themselves with the area; maps are used so that they understand their location. Other young people have moved on from the home, in positive ways.

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Quality of care

The views and opinions of young people are routinely gathered, and are central to the running of the home and delivery of care. Their involvement is encouraged through group meetings, individual sessions and as part of day to day living. They know how to complain and have details of children’s rights officers, advocates and organisations. The home is appropriately located and well maintained.

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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 say that they are safe in the home. Placing social workers outlined how young people have gained from work completed with young people on keeping safe. They described the home’s approach to safeguarding as ‘brilliant’.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Comprehensive risk assessments and risk management plans inform and guide staff in keeping young people safe. These plans are monitored and reviewed by the whole staff group. Where necessary, multi-agency meetings take place. Staff recognise the particular vulnerabilities of the young people and obtain information about risky behaviours. Appropriate levels of supervision and support further protect the young people. Those young people with a previous history of missing from care have not been absent from the home. In addition, the home ensures that moves between different local authorities and police areas do not compromise the safety of young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from positive behaviour management strategies. Good relationships with staff result in the majority of situations being diffused at early stages. Physical intervention is rarely used, and only as a last resort, and for safety reasons. Staff are trained to carry out physical restraint safely.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are further protected by staff being vigilant to the potential for bullying and any issues are promptly addressed. Staff receive good quality training in safeguarding issues and safe care practices. These are embedded in daily life in the home and protect young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

All significant events are routinely communicated to the relevant people and agencies in a timely manner. The environment is physically safe and secure and regular checks take place to ensure it remains so. Staff recruitment practices are robust and safeguard the 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 has a stable, skilled and experienced staff group who are committed to improving outcomes for the young people. They work cooperatively in the interests of the young people; who respond well to the consistency of care they receive.

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Leadership and management

An open management style and effective communication ensures that young people benefit from reflective practice and the staff’s involvement in the improvement agenda.

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Leadership and management

Staff have access to good quality training which they value and which benefits the young people. Regular team meetings and supervisions support staff in maintaining high standards of care. Staff speak positively about the support they receive; and the availability and approachability of the manager and deputy.

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Leadership and management

The home is efficiently organised and run. A clear development plan is in place, informed by the manager’s regular quality assurance monitoring systems. Work is in progress to improve consultation with placing local authorities and parents.

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Leadership and management

Comprehensive reports are completed following monthly visits to the home to monitor its conduct in line with Regulation 33. Any necessary actions are addressed by the manager in a timely way. Records are clearly written, up to date and stored securely to maintain confidentiality.

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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 the inspection of children's homes.

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