Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC061924 Inspection date 28/11/2013 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/02/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of 12 years to 16 years, with 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

This home provides a safe, supportive environment. Young people are protected from harm, because effective mechanisms are in place to keep them safe. Young people say they feel safe living here. Young people’s views are respected as they are involved in discussion and the decision making about their care and support. This includes how they spend their spare time and their future plans.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's needs are well met through personalised care planning. This means that young people are able to make good progress across most aspects of their welfare and development. However, some records about young people's care do not reflect what is actually happening in practice. Young people’s views are highly valued and respected. This is because they are encouraged to have a say in the decisions that are being made about them and the running of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed. The Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide provide valuable information about the type of care and support young people can expect to receive. Most records and documentation are generally well maintained though there are some shortfalls. The home is appropriately maintained, though there are some maintenance issues. Systems for monitoring the quality and standard of care provided in the home are appropriate.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person notifies HMCI of any revisions to the Statement of Purpose within 28 days. (Regulation 5 (b)) 31/12/2013

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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 there are clear and effective procedures in place for the monitoring of the home, in particular reports by the Registered Manager and independent person are evaluative and record any identified shortfalls (NMS 21.1)  ensure the written record of when a young person goes missing detail the action taken by staff, circumstances of their return, reasons given by the young person for running away and any action taken by the home in light of those reasons (NMS 5.10)  ensure young people's health is promoted in accordance with their placement, plan in particular, health care plans are sufficiently detailed with regards to known or emerging health care issues (NMS 6.5)  ensure the home is well maintained with particular regards for the flooring on the ground floor, the tiling in the kitchen, bath panel and shower cubicle (NMS 10.3)  ensure robust systems are in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of

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Recommendations

records, in particular records are dated and young people's risk assessments and behaviour management plans are sufficiently detailed. (NMS 22.1)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress towards improving their opportunities and the quality of their lives. Young people are confident in their own abilities, which is improving their self-esteem. They are much more settled and emotionally secure. Independent reviewing officers (IRO's) and social workers say that young people are much more settled and are increasing in confidence since residing here. They are more able to talk through any concerns or issues they have. They show increasing maturity when faced with challenging or difficult situations.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people enjoy good health and healthy lifestyles. They are taking more responsibility for their health care; for example, eating a healthier diet and taking regular exercise. Young people enjoy healthy, nutritious meals that they help to plan. Menu planning effectively takes into account their individual preferences and trying new foods. They make more positive choices to accept guidance and support which helps them improve their health outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people engage with a variety of health care professionals, such as children and adolescent mental health teams and dieticians to help them overcome specific health care issues. Social workers say young people’s health care needs are handled sensitively. This enables them to achieve their personal goals such as changing their diet and managing their weight effectively. Consequently, young people make informed choices about their health.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's attendance at school is good. Some young people have recently achieved a number of GCSE passes and have moved on into college placements of their choice. They are considering as to whether to retake some GCSE's in order to improve their grades. Their attendance is good and school reports state that young people should be 'very proud of their achievements' and they have shown 'great commitment to their education'.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have secure links with their families and other people who are important to them. They benefit from being able to sustain positive relationships with them through appropriate levels of contact. Staff work really hard to ensure that contact arrangements are organised so as to ensure the safety and well-being of the young people. Young people have friends in the local community who they see on a regular basis. They are well aware that friends and family can join them for activities and visit the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people get ready for independence at a rate that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding and this with their transition into adult life. They become involved in the running of the home, for example, taking part in shopping, planning meals and managing money. They successfully save for and negotiate with staff for larger items. For example, agreeing to save a set amount and the home matching this. Consequently, young people are developing a wide range of skills and experiences in preparation for their transition into adulthood.

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy positive, constructive relationships with staff. This is effectively supported by staff's communication and interpersonal skills. Young people confidently talk to staff about everyday events and any issues that may be concerning them. Young people’s individual well-being is central to practice. Staff see young people in a positive and realistic light. They work with young people in an understanding, compassionate way, providing individual support and reassurance.

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Quality of care

Young people’s in-house placement plans are in keeping with plans identified by placing authority social workers. The plans provide a picture of each young person’s personal needs. However, some of the home’s plans are not sufficiently detailed and do not always reflect the strategies that are actually being implemented in practice. For example, health care plans and some risk assessments. However, the impact of this is minimised, because staff have a good understanding of the young people and their needs.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a healthy environment which actively promotes their physical health and emotional well-being. They are fully supported to develop healthier lifestyles. Young people are registered with the appropriate health care professionals and have a good understanding of where to seek additional support or advice. Staff are very aware of young people's health care needs. They work consistently to encourage young people to attend health care appointments. Young people live in a healthy environment which actively promotes their physical health and emotional well-being. They are fully supported to develop healthier lifestyles. The home has robust systems in place for the administration of medication.

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Quality of care

Young people are fully included in their care planning and are confident to attend their review meetings. Staff work very well with young people, their families and placing authorities to monitor and evaluate their progress. Social workers say staff are proactive in helping to plan for young people's futures and are always fully prepared for young people's reviews. IRO's comment upon staff commitment to ensuring young people can continue to be involved in children's councils in their placing authorities. Consequently, young people feel fully supported and know what the future may hold for them. Young people feel valued as staff listen to their views and where possible act upon their wishes, such as having overnight stays with friends.

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Quality of care

Staff have high aspirations for young people's educational achievements and future employment opportunities. They work tirelessly with young people to help them achieve their individual goals. This effort is recognised by IRO's and social workers who comment upon staff commitment to encouraging and sustaining young people's educational placement. This means young people make good progress in relation to their starting points. Staff are very proud of young people's individual achievements, such as securing their chosen college placement. Young people are offered and engage in a wide range of activities such as theme parks, cinema trips and holidays. This means young people are afforded the same opportunities as their peers.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a comfortable, homely family house in a semi-rural neighbourhood. The home is generally well maintained. However, the flooring in the ground floor is damaged in several areas, although the home is planning to replace this. The grouting in the kitchen needs attention following a young person painting some of the tiles, the bath panel is cracked and the shower requires a deep clean. Young people bedrooms are personalised and reflect their individuality. Young people are actively involved in choosing the colours and furniture for their rooms.

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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 are protected as staff have a secure understanding of the home's safeguarding procedures. They give young people's safety the highest priority and are trained in relation to safeguarding. Consequently, staff are clear on the action to take should they have any concerns regarding a young person's safety or well-being.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are provided with good advice on how to keep themselves safe, such as accessing social internet websites. Staffs’ detailed knowledge and understanding of each young person's needs enables them to act in their best interests.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people’s welfare is of paramount importance. They are effectively supported to overcome any difficulties they may face so they have an opportunity to lead happy and fulfilling lives. Young people live in a safe environment where they are protected from harm and have a strong sense of safety and well-being. Young people say they feel safe living in the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people do not usually go missing; however there have been a few absent from care in the last few weeks. Staff work exceptionally well with placing authorities and police to ensure young people are safe and return home quickly and safely. Police missing from care co-ordinators are complimentary about the home and the action they take to help locate young people and enable them to return quickly. Records of any incidents are usually well recorded. However, some lack sufficient detail as to the action staff took and the reasons for this.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people have clear, consistent boundaries. As a result, they know what staff expect of them and what is unacceptable. Young people receive praise and rewards when they do well; sanctions are very rarely used and are fairly applied. There have been no physical interventions in the home for some considerable time. This is because of staff’s effective communication skills, which enable them to talk to young people and effectively calm any challenging situations. Behaviour management plans are in place but some lack detail. This is a recording issue and the impact of this is minimised because of staff's understanding of young people's behaviours and vulnerabilities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Bullying in the home is not an issue for young people. Clear systems are in place for managing any incidents of this. Staff are proactive in helping young people resolve issues of this outside of the home. A young person wrote, 'I was bullied in school but, we have spoken to the teacher and she is trying to stop this.'

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff carry out regular health and safety checks of the premises and gas, electrical and fire safety checks are up to date. Staff ensure all visitors to the home are fully aware of the fire evacuation and emergency procedure and health and safety is prompted. Staff regularly practice fire drills with young people which means they know what to do in an emergency.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The recruitment and selection of people working at the home is thorough and protects young people from having contact with unsuitable people. Young people are also protected by the arrangements for vetting and supervising visitors.

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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

A qualified and experienced Registered Manager and his staff team are committed to providing a quality service. Their nurturing approach, combined with consistent parental guidance, enables young people to achieve good outcomes from their placements. The home is well resourced and employs a sufficient number of staff to maintain good cover.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose and young person's guide are shared with young people, their families and placing authorities. These are well written, helpful documents which provide a clear picture of the home's aims and objectives. This means placing authorities, young people and their families are well aware of the care and support young people can expect to receive. However, the home has not sent the revised copies of the Statement of Purpose to Ofsted. This is an oversight and does not impact upon the care provided to young people.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the setting and the areas for further development. These are encompassed within the home’s development plan which outlines what the home aims to achieve for young people over the next year.

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Leadership and management

Records and documentation are usually well maintained and provide insight into young people's time in the home. Nevertheless, recently some records as outlined in this report lack detail, for example, the recording of rewards and the recording of the date in full. This impacts upon how helpful these records are to young people now or when they look back on their time here. Appropriate systems are in place for ensuring placing authorities and Ofsted are notified of any significant events.

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Leadership and management

Monitoring of the home by the Registered Manager and a representative of the organisation is generally sound. However, reports of their findings are not evaluative and lack detail. This means any shortfalls, although discussed, are not always identified within the reports.

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Leadership and management

The home has a good track record for improving outcomes for young people. The recording of sanctions is more robust as young people are encouraged to have their views recorded in their own words and sign the entries. A written record is made of any complaints made about the home and outlines the action taken in response. This has improved upon the recording systems and effectively promotes transparency.

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Leadership and management

Staff benefit from regular staff meetings and supervision, which mean their training needs, are regularly reviewed and addressed. There is a rolling programme of training provided, including refresher training in mandatory areas such as child protection, management of behaviour and first aid. Staff also have or are in the process of achieving relevant childcare qualifications.

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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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