Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

Unique reference number SC069293 Inspection date 02/10/2013 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people of either gender. Young people living at the home have emotional and behavioural difficulties and are usually aged between 11 and 17 years old. The home is owned by a private limited company.

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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

This is a well-managed children's home which provides the young people with a safe, caring and homely environment.

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Overall effectiveness

The outcomes achieved by the young people are impressive and reflect a significant improvement in the way they view themselves. On arrival at the home, they have a total lack of confidence and trust in adults. They are young people who have been let down by adults and who feel they have been rejected.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff have high aspirations for the young people and work consistently to ensure that any barriers are challenged. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their care responsibilities in respect of the young people. They place the wellbeing of each young person as their prime focus and demonstrate a high level commitment to them. The young people receive a very high quality of care and it is clearly evident that warm trusting relationships have been developed. Care plans are tailored to the individual needs of the young people. They focus on realistic, measurable outcomes and involve the young people and their parents. Equality and diversity issues are positively embraced by staff in daily living and in care planning. For example, young people are actively encouraged to be involved in the formulation of their care plans.

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Overall effectiveness

The safety of the young people is paramount. Staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and the safety of the young people is enhanced through robust staff recruitment procedures. The home encourages a non- confrontational approach to managing behaviour among the young people. There is a strong emphasis on de-escalating tense situations and restraint is not a regular feature at this home. This promotes the safety of the young people. Strong positive links have been established by the home with the local authority safeguarding service and with the police.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff are supervised by the manager who sets a clear direction for the home. The capacity to change is evident and the staff team share the manager's passion for improvement in the way the service operates. Staff are supported in their work and they have full confidence in the management of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Recommendations are made to improve the operation of the service.

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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 avoidable hazards are removed in particular the medicines cabinet that is not secure (NMS 10.3)  ensure there is a good quality learning and development programme which staff are supported to undertake (NMS 18.1)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors, in line with the regulations, all records kept by the home. (NMS 21.2)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make significant progress, developing their self confidence and trust in adults. They are admitted to this children's home following failed relationships within their family and other settings. Through the dedication and commitment of the staff young people improve their self-image and confidence. Relationships between staff and the young people are good and this helps create a harmonious environment where young people feel able to discuss any issues or concerns with staff in confidence. This is an achievement for some young people who lacked the ability to relate to adults before moving into the home. Young people show a very positive change in their trust of the staff. They will now talk about their personal feelings, whereas previously, as described by the manager, 'this was a no go area.'

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Outcomes for children and young people

The young people take good care of their health. They have an improved understanding of how to keep healthy. For example, young people attend the gym, go swimming and they are registered with local health care services. Previously the young people had poor health and they engaged in risky activities such as taking illegal substances and misusing alcohol. With the encouragement and support from staff they are now more aware of the importance attached to taking care of their health. Incidents of self-harm among the young people have reduced significantly.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The commitment of the young people to their education has improved significantly since they were initially admitted to this children's home. They now are now cooperating with the education package agreed by the school and placing local authority. This means that young people are improving their prospects of returning to full time attendance at school. Staff comments include, 'this is an amazing achievement.'

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people achieve life skills that will help them when they move into independent living. They learn how to carry out basic domestic tasks around the home, shopping and budgeting. Their attitude and the way they present themselves in public are much improved.

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Quality of care

The staff team demonstrates a positive commitment to the young people in their care. Relationships between the young people and staff are good. The care and attention shown by staff towards the young people is impressive, demonstrating warmth and commitment to their wellbeing. Young people are treated with respect and staff take a non-judgemental approach in their work. This means that whatever their past, the staff will care and support young people to achieve their potential. For example, a parent commented, 'I feel guilty that I cannot be a good mother but I trust the staff, they keep me informed about what is going on and I have full confidence in all the staff.'

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Quality of care

The young people benefit from a consistent approach from staff in all aspects of their care. They will challenge negative behaviour from young people and explain why such behaviour is not conducive to a stable and settled home. The balance of skills among the staff team mean that there is a range of styles that can work successfully in managing the behaviours of young people.

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Quality of care

There is a strong commitment to listening to the views of young people. They attend the weekly staff meeting where all aspects of the running of the home are discussed. Young people influence change in the home. For example, by putting forward their views on the facilities at the home, young people have been successful in getting a spare room changed to a second lounge/quiet room. Young people are actively supported and encouraged to take responsibility for the contents of their care plans. These plans give a clear outline of the areas requiring attention to bring about positive change in their lives. This involvement of young people is an excellent example of the home’s commitment to equality and diversity.

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Quality of care

The education of young people is a high priority at this children's home. Staff work proactively to ensure that young people exercise their right to a full education. This is enhanced through the positive professional links that have been established with the schools and colleges attended by the young people. Flexible plans can be agreed, for example plans that enable some young people to apportion their time between the school and home tuition. This flexible approach means that young people can continue to receive an education that is tailored to their individual needs.

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Quality of care

This is an outward looking home that works across professional disciplines for the benefit of the young people. Strong links have been made with health care and other services to provide appropriate resources for the young people and ensure that the home can access support and guidance for them. There is close cooperation with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Lifeline Drugs Service, Children's Rights, the Looked After Children Nurse and the police. The company has invested in a full time psychotherapist to support young people in managing their emotional challenges. Access to these resources promotes the social and emotional wellbeing of the young people.

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Quality of care

The building is located in a private housing area. It is comfortably furnished throughout and blends in with surrounding dwellings. The home is well maintained and clean.

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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 and they are cared for by staff who have been appropriately checked to ensure that they are suitable to work with young people. They are protected and kept safe by the robust safeguarding procedures and practices at the home. There are detailed risk assessments in place and these identify the appropriate strategies to manage any safeguarding concern or behavioural situation. Positive behaviour is promoted through dialogue with the young people rather than resorting to restraint. The use of restraints is very low and this approach is possible as staff have developed close, trusting relationships with the young people. This promotes the safety and wellbeing of the young people and maintains a more harmonious environment.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding is a central feature at the home. All staff are clear about their responsibilities in this area of their work. They are well trained and know the actions to take where any concerns or allegations of child abuse arise. Young people rarely go missing from the home. Nevertheless, staff are aware of procedures to follow. These measures positively enhance the safety of young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The environment is physically safe There are clear, well thought out procedures to enable staff to manage fire safety emergencies. However, a cabinet containing medicines and drugs located in the office is not secure. This could compromise the safety of the young people as it would be possible to remove this cabinet if staff were not vigilant.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are strong links established with the local authority child protection services and police. Regular liaison takes place with these bodies for advice and guidance on safeguarding issues or concerns. This close cooperation enhances the safety of 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

This is a well-managed home with strong leadership and direction provided by the registered manager. The home’s operational procedures are effective and staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The company has confidence in the way the home is currently managed. For example one senior manager stated, 'I am very impressed at by the way the home is managed and the manager is taking the home on an upward curve.' Staff are also very satisfied with the management of the home and they feel supported and valued. One member of staff said, 'I couldn't ask for a better manager who supports and cares about the staff.'

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Leadership and management

At the last inspection the manager was required to ensure that reporting procedures for allegations made against staff were improved. Recommendations were made relating to the quality of information recorded in the missing person's log and in reports required by regulations. The manager has taken appropriate steps to implement the requirement and recommendations. This demonstrates a capacity to improve.

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Leadership and management

This is a forward thinking staff team who have a 'can do attitude' to their work with young people who present severe behavioural difficulties. The team see barriers as challenges to be overcome. Staff at this children's home demonstrate a strong commitment to their work with young people. This is reflected in the low turnover of staff. This means that the young people receive a consistent level of care. The individual training needs of staff are identified through formal supervision by the manager. All mandatory training to ensure staff are competent is carried out. However, there is no formal planned company training programme is in place once the mandatory training is completed. Any training is identified by the manager and individual staff members concerned.

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Leadership and management

The home is operating to its statement of purpose. The young people's guide provides useful information and this is available in several languages. This is another example of a commitment to equality and diversity.

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Leadership and management

The records maintained at the home are kept secure in the office. Young people can have access to their records and they are actively encouraged to read these and to make any comments or amendments as required. This is good practice. However, the quality of oversight of some records is not robust and this is highlighted where there are no signatures to identify the author of these records. As a result, the authenticity of the records cannot be verified, although this omission does not impact directly of the care of the young people. Monthly external inspection of the home takes place in line with regulations.

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Leadership and management

The leadership at this home is committed to change and demonstrates a positive approach to continuous improvement.

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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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