Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Unique reference number SC463431 Inspection date 30/10/2013 Inspector Linda Bond Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for one young person of either gender, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 living in this home are provided with a level of care that is excellent. The outcomes achieved in by young people in a relatively short space of time are good. Safeguarding is seamlessly threaded throughout all practice and the home is managed at an outstanding level.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people have every opportunity to settle, learn, grow and mature in a home that is staffed by competent, skilled and compassionate people. Robust safeguarding policies are implemented by an attentive, knowledgeable and well trained staff team. Staff have developed strong and positive relationships generating a culture of trust and openness. Staff model positive and respectful behaviour thereby promoting good values and beliefs. Young people say their home is 'awesome' and it is 'not a children's home it is their home', they confirm they are listened to and their views are being respected at all times. A social worker and a parent reports that progress is incredible and they know their young person is happy.

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Overall effectiveness

Individual assessments are of a good quality and provide staff with an in depth understanding of young people’s emotional and social needs. Staff focus young people on their educational potential and promote positive outcomes and consistent progress. There is a high expectation placed on the staff team by the Registered Manager to ensure that young people’s outcomes, emotional well- being and safety are central to all planning.

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Overall effectiveness

No recommendations or requirements were necessary following this inspection

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home achieves good outcomes for young people with complex backgrounds. Young people highlight numerous positive aspects, for example feeling respected and valued, and given positive and constructive support and opportunities. A placing authority makes the comment that the young person is making 'incredible improvements since moving in to the home'. This is reported to be impressive in relation to the increased level of independence, positive attitude to learning and the accepting of boundaries. Resulting in a significant reduction in risk taking behaviours.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's psychological and emotional progress is noteworthy and continues over the time of their placement. They are exceptionally positive about their placement and confidently describe how they have benefitted and matured since moving in to the home. They say that the home is 'awesome…..and it feels like home', 'its not a children's home it's my home'. Relationships between young people and staff are positive and nurturing. This has resulted in young people developing attachments with staff and feeling safe when exploring sensitive subjects, for example family background and relationships.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people flourish as they receive on going encouragement to achieve their educational potential. The home provides them with opportunities for intellectual development, good nurturing of strengths and practical skills. From their starting points young people have made great progress and are in education. The organisation recognises that all young people may not be able to access mainstream education; they therefore work alongside their educational colleagues and devise personalised educational plans. Young people respond well to the educational support and have received achievement certificates to verify their success.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Through encouragement and participation young people are developing an understanding in the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a nutritious balanced diet, with an appropriate amount of 'treat' meals. Resources, advice and literature within the home raises young people's awareness of the impact of smoking, alcohol and substance misuse. Young people also learn and are, taking responsibility for their sexual health. Exercise forms part of their weekly routines. This includes going for walks, horse riding and swimming. Young people are currently not misusing alcohol or substances.

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Outcomes for children and young people

As a result of relationships and contacts with family and friends being strongly supported by staff, young people are benefitting from positive, safe and enjoyable time with their family and friends. Further to this the inclusive and welcoming environment ensures all those important to the young person are invited to visit and make regular contact with the home. In doing so young people are developing a sense of pride and ownership of their home.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is good . Young people benefit from a good quality service which enhances their life chances. They say that they have a great relationship with all the staff and in good nature, and with respect, refer to all the staff with pet names, for example the registered manager is called 'Nan'. This does not detract from staff succeeding in maintaining boundaries and producing caring and positive relationship with young people. A parent also feels the home is doing a 'brilliant job'. The organisation values having an unconditional positive regard for young people. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the unique qualities of young people living in the home, and this results in sensitive responses to young people's presenting needs.

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Quality of care

There are good processes in place for tracking the young people's progress and achievements. This includes the way in which young people are assessed prior to moving in to the home. A placing social worker reports being impressed with the homes time, attention to detail and efforts in forming a relationship with a young person prior to them moving in, and how this has had a positive impact on the stability of the placement. Staff are excellent role models and through encouragement and praise young people are developing skills to enable them to be more responsible and independent in readiness for moving on.

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Quality of care

Placement plans address the unique differences and strengths of the young people and document a range of imaginative approaches to meeting their needs. The home's approach to placement planning is one of its particular strengths and is strongly supported by the provider. Care plans are highly specific and include assessments of good quality and depth. This is achieved by additional input from external health professionals dedicated to this task. Staff are offered clear and outcome focused guidance and are given good opportunity to consult clinical experts. Young people are fully involved and contribute to their placement plans.

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Quality of care

In addition to this young people proactively influence the running of their home. The home's care philosophy focuses on promoting their choices, rights and responsibilities. There are opportunities throughout each day when consultation and information sharing takes place, and, whilst some meetings are not formalised there is good evidence of how young people, parents and social workers views and wishes are sought and incorporated.

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Quality of care

Significant efforts are made by the whole staff team in producing a home that is furnished to a lovely standard, that is homely and welcoming. Resulting in young people referring to it as 'their home'.

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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 benefit from the organisation's commitment to promoting their welfare and safety. A full range of policies and procedures that are annually reviewed are maintained in the home. Further to this the organisation have been instrumental in ensuring that staff recognise hazards and dangers both in the home and elsewhere, by providing comprehensive and regular training. This includes constructively learning from current research and practice and thereby ensuring a uniform response to topical issues, for example child sexual exploitation. There are clear responsibilities, procedures and working practices which safeguard young people. The good links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board ensure staff receive regular training and updates. The organisation has members who lead and provide training on child protection.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home promotes a culture of openness and trust where young people can feel confident in discussing any concerns or worries with staff. Staff are well trained in safeguarding and know what constitutes good safe care practice. As a result of this young people report they feel safe and secure, they know how to complain and who to speak with. When away from the home young people keep in regular contact and there are few episodes of young people returning home late. In addition there are no episodes of young people being reported as missing.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has developed a good range of monitoring and recording tools. These include risk assessments that are personalised, reviewed regularly, reflected upon and provide good evidence of young people’s developing skills, maturity and independence. All documents and records, along with medications are securely and safely stored within the office.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has robust protocols and guidelines in relation to the management of young people's behaviours. There have been no incidents of physical intervention or damage to the property. The home operates an excellent system of de-escalation and positive reinforcement. Individual behaviour management plans and a range of risk assessments provide staff with clear strategies for managing young people with challenging behaviour. Though there is a clear policy on the use of effective sanctions, there is much evidence within written form and through observation of how negotiation, consultation and positive reinforcement has resulted in sanctions not being necessitated.

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Safeguarding children and young people

New staff are carefully screened and vetted to ensure that they are suitable to work with the young people. The criteria is wide ranging and this also helps all applicants to assess their own abilities and attributes for wanting to work in an environment which can often be challenging and complex. Thorough vetting procedures are followed out before offers of employment are made. This includes checks through the Disclosure and Baring Service and the verification of written records.

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Safeguarding children and young people

During the course of this inspection no concerns were noted in respect of health and safety. Risk assessments are carried out to identify potential sources of harm and ensure that staff and young people are safe from fire and other avoidable hazards. Young people and staff regularly practise fire evacuation procedures and the various health and fire safety records are accurate and up to date.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding . Young people live in a home that is extremely well run. An exceptionally experienced, compassionate, skilled and knowledgeable Registered Manager leads a staff team that are stable, solid and enthusiastic.

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Leadership and management

Providing an environment that is not only safe and improves the outcomes of young people, but is homely, warm and nurturing being the very essence of the homes ethos.

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Leadership and management

The overall number and competence of staff meets the individual needs of the young people and ensures that the home can fulfil the Statement of Purpose. Good staffing levels are maintained by day and by night. The home employs a very child focused, well-motivated, dedicated and stable work force. Staff are experienced, well supported and appropriately qualified. A number of the current team has worked together for some time and provide young people with excellent continuity of care.

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Leadership and management

Staff have excellent opportunity and access to supervision, support and training to develop their skills and understanding of children's needs and behaviour. The Registered Manager has substantial experience in supporting staff teams and developing services. Staff are supervised regularly and the Registered Managers appraise performance formally. Ensuring that learning is relevant and current, training and development needs are identified and met and staff remain up to date with current research and legislation. Development processes are sound and management systems are practical and communicated well among the staff team. For example, staff are aware of key policies and procedures relevant to their work.

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Leadership and management

Excellent external monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that the conduct and the performance of the home are regularly and rigorously evaluated. The Registered Manager has a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and routinely drives through improvement, better outcomes for young people. Well documented monthly monitoring visits on behalf of the registered provider include meeting with the young people and provides space for dialogue and feedback. Young people's social workers and families are kept well informed and are regularly updated of their progress. Significant events relating to the protection and welfare of young people are routinely notified to all relevant parties.

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Leadership and management

An extensive home development plan highlights the home's progress to date, providing monthly and annual objectives, and details of meeting and exceeding the national minimum standards. Young people benefit from the service being continually adapted to meet their needs.

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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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