Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Wolverhampton

Unique reference number SC390576 Inspection date 03/10/2013 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 19/02/2013 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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

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

The staff team provide highly personalised care that reflects the individual needs of young people. Young people are supported to make good progress in all areas of their lives. In some cases, there has been exceptional progress.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The views of young people are central to the running of the home. The staff team ensure that young people feel listened to, valued and respected. Young people have highly positive views about the home and have excellent relationships with the staff team. A young person commented that the ‘staff are always there for you.’ Relationships between young people are good. Young people enjoy spending time with each other and their wider social groups.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Young people are safe and feel safe at the home. All areas of the home are safely maintained and regularly checked. Avoidable hazards are identified and removed. Incidents of challenging behaviour are reducing. Effective support from the staff team ensures that the vulnerabilities of young people are carefully managed.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed. Regular checks of the home’s records, procedures and practices ensure that continuous improvement is made. The staff team are well trained and effectively supervised in their duties. The safety of young people is at the heart of staff practice. Young people benefit from a staff team who are committed to meeting their needs.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

As a result of this inspection, one recommendation has been made. This relates to ensuring that there is effective communication with education providers.

p.3

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure that staff engage and work with schools, colleges, other organisations, and the placing local authority to support children’s education including advocating to help overcome any problems the child may be experiencing in their educational setting. Staff have up-to-date information about each child’s educational progress and school attendance record. (NMS 8.7)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress in all areas of their lives. All young people attend school and other educational provision and, in relation to their starting points, make good progress. The routine of the home is understood and implemented by young people. For example, when young people return from school, they complete their homework tasks and help the staff with domestic tasks. This results in young people keeping up to date with their studies and increasing their independence. As a result, young people develop responsibility, maturity and make progress. Comments from young people include; ‘I am more mature and can organise myself better’ and ‘I am getting loads more independent. I can do my own laundry, cleaning and cooking.’

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress in understanding their emotions and life histories. All young people are encouraged to maintain a record of their time in the home. This results in young people developing an understanding of key events and recognising the progress that they are making. In some cases, there has been exceptional progress. For example, young people who have been disengaged from education prior to living at the home are now attending school full time.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people develop safe behaviours and understand key health risks. The home promotes a healthy environment and young people make good progress in reducing their harm-taking behaviours. For example, young people have reduced and stopped smoking and incidents of running away from the home are also reducing. This results in young people making improvements with their health and general wellbeing and promotes improved outcomes.

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

The emotional security of young people is good. Where appropriate to do so, they maintain close relationships with their families. As a result, they develop and sustain relationships with important people in their lives. Young people have positive relationships with each other in the home. Where tensions or disagreements occur, young people are encouraged to resolve these amicably. As a result, young people are developing key skills in group living and developing empathy and understanding of other people’s needs. Young people know that their voice is heard in the home and that they are valued and respected. As a result, young people develop a sense of belonging and are settled. A young person commented, ‘I feel like I am at home here.’ Young people develop their emotional resilience at the home. They are encouraged to display their individuality and play an active part in the life of the home. Young people recognise

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

that equality is at the heart of staff practice. A young person commented, ‘I feel normal. Like anybody else.’ A social worker commented ‘the young person is very happy, very settled at the home.’

p.5

Quality of care

Relationships between staff and young people are positive. The staff team ensure that young people feel respected, valued and listened to. A young person commented that ‘the staff are always there for you.’ Regular young people meetings ensure that matters affecting the group are discussed and where necessary, resolved. For example, activities and menus are discussed and agreed. This enables young people to exercise their choices and have an input into the running of the home. Comments from social workers are positive; ‘the care provided to the young person is excellent’, ‘from the first time I met the staff team, I was very impressed’ and ‘the staff team give the young person consistent care at all times.’

p.5

Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to plan their time constructively and access a range of age-appropriate and enjoyable activities. This ensures that young people are able to develop interests outside of the home and widen their social networks. For example, young people enjoy playing football in the community and spending time with their friends.

p.5

Quality of care

Regular key working meetings with young people explore their needs, wishes and feelings. The staff team ensure that these views underpin the care given to young people in the home. Care plans are highly individualised and regularly reviewed by the staff team and young people. A social worker commented that the staff are ‘meeting the young person’s needs in the care plan.’ Where young people have specific needs, these are appropriately addressed. For example, the religious needs of young people are identified and appropriately catered for. This ensures that the individuality of young people is respected and promoted in the home.

p.5

Quality of care

The health needs of young people are well met in the home. Medication is safely stored and administered. Where young people follow prescribed courses of medication, the staff team ensure that this is appropriately followed. As a result, the health needs of young people are fully promoted. All young people are up to date with their medical appointments and are in good health. Physical fitness is promoted by the staff team and young people are encouraged to lead active lifestyles. Food provided to young people is healthy, balanced and nutritious. Furthermore, meal times are a social occasion where young people and staff sit together. This promotes a homely environment where young people are relaxed and enjoy each other’s company. A young person commented that ‘you can treat this home like it is your actual home.’

p.5

Quality of care

All young people attend school and other education provision regularly. Clear routines ensure that young people are ready for school on time and are equipped with what they need. A teacher commented that a young person is ‘always very smart, always on time and their attendance is excellent.’ Communication between the home and school is, on the whole, effective. However, opportunities for the home and school to work collaboratively to provide consistent behaviour management are not currently explored. A recommendation has been made to improve this area of practice. This will ensure that young people receive care that supports improved outcomes in their education.

p.6

Quality of care

Complaints from young people are appropriately managed and resolved. All young people know how to complain and the staff team are proactive in managing any tensions among the young people. A young person commented that ‘the staff deal with any issues really well.’ A comprehensive complaints process is readily available to young people and a range of external support services are actively promoted. The young person’s guide contains all required details and young people are able to freely use a telephone. As a result, young people are empowered to raise their concerns with the appropriate parties.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people benefit from a home that is well presented, homely and provides a relaxing environment. Improvements to the home have ensured that the décor is now to a high standard. A social worker commented that ‘the home feels like a home. It is not institutionalised at all.’ Young people take pride in their home and help out with a range of domestic tasks. A young person commented that ‘it feels like a normal home.’ Young people are encouraged to help to plan and prepare meals and take responsibility for tidying their bedrooms and communal areas. As a result, they develop their independence and readiness for adulthood. A young person commented that ‘you can relax, you can have independence.’

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people’s behaviour is appropriately managed by the staff team. Staff are sensitive to the individual needs of young people and provide effective support at all times. This is effectively underpinned through clear risk assessment processes and individualised behaviour management plans. As a result, young people benefit from consistent approaches from the staff team. A young person commented, ‘I feel safe at the home.’

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Restraint is used only where absolutely necessary and for the purposes of keeping young people safe. All required records are maintained and young people’s views are actively sought. The use of rewards recognises and values where young people are making progress with managing their emotions and developing socially acceptable behaviours. Sanctions, where used, are fair, reasonable and appropriately applied. As a result, young people benefit from consistent boundaries in the home and are developing positive behaviours.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

Serious incidents are rare in the home. Appropriate referral is made to safeguarding services where there are concerns over the safety or wellbeing of young people. A social worker commented that they are ‘very confident that they keep the young person safe.’ Excellent communication with placing authorities ensures that any concerns are appropriately shared and acted upon. As a result, young people’ safety is at the centre of the care provided in the home.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Incidents of young people going missing from the home are reducing. Where young people leave the home, the staff ensure that all appropriate actions are taken. Effective protocols are in place with the local police and staff are proactive in working with young people to explore the reasons for them leaving the home. Where young people wish to extend their time outside of the home with their friends, this is discussed and agreed, where appropriate. As a result, young people are able to appropriately discuss and negotiate their boundaries. This results in young people developing maturity and a sense of personal responsibility. A young person commented, ‘I don’t feel like a child in care. The staff look after me like they would in a normal home.’

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

The home provides a safe environment for young people. Effective staff recruitment procedures further underpin the safety of young people. All required checks are made on prospective staff wishing to work at the home. As a result, young people are protected from adults who may wish to cause them harm. Visitors to the home are appropriately checked and escorted where necessary.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

All required checks on electrical and gas installations are up to date. As a result, the physical environment is safely maintained and young people are safe in the home. Fire safety is well managed. Fire detection equipment is regularly tested and checked. Regular fire drills ensure all young people and staff know how to safely evacuate the home in the event of fire. Evening drills ensure that young people know how to evacuate the home in darkness.

p.7

Leadership and management

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

p.7

Leadership and management

The home was last inspected in February 2013 and was judged to be making satisfactory progress. Two requirements were made as result of this inspection. These related to ensuring young people had access to appropriate leisure activities and that the home was appropriately maintained. The Registered Manager has ensured that appropriate actions have been taken. Young people now access a wider and age-appropriate range of activities in their leisure time. The physical environment has been improved through redecoration and repairs. As a result, young people benefit from a well-maintained home and take part in stimulating and enjoyable leisure activities. The home’s development plan clearly measures progress and identifies areas for further improvement. As a result, the Registered Manager is able to review the home’s operation and performance. The home’s Statement of Purpose is clear, comprehensive and up to date. As a result, young people, parents and placing

p.7

Leadership and management

authorities are able to review the home’ services and aims.

p.8

Leadership and management

All staff are appropriately trained and their training needs are regularly reviewed. This results in a staff team that is competent, skilled and able to provide safe and effective care to young people. Effective supervision ensures that staff are able to discuss their practice, developmental needs and any issues they wish to raise. As a result, young people benefit from a staff team that feel supported in their duties and are reflective about their practice.

p.8

Leadership and management

Regular visits to the home from the organisation ensure that any areas for improvement are identified and acted upon. The views of young people underpin these visits and enable the organisation to review the standard of care in the home. Reports from these visits further drive improvement in the home. The Registered Manager’s own quality checking is effective. Regular audits of all files in the home ensure that a consistent level of quality is maintained. All records are securely held and protected from unauthorised access. As a result, young people’s privacy is promoted at all times and confidential information is kept safe.

p.8

Leadership and management

The home has a good relationship with the local community. Concerns from neighbours are rare and where they do occur, are swiftly and robustly resolved. This results in the home minimising any potential impact to the local community. Feedback from young people, parents, carers and placing social workers is sought and used to identify areas for improvement. For example, this has led to improvements with young people maintaining contact with their families. As a result, the home is responsive to the needs and wishes of young people and key stakeholders. The Registered Manager ensures that regular updates are sent to parents, carers and social workers. A social worker commented that they ‘get regular updates from the home, I have no concerns about being kept updated.’

p.8

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.9

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.9