Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410539 Inspection date 05/12/2013 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 30/01/2013 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

This home provides care and accommodation for a maximum of two young people who may have emotional and/or behaviour difficulties.

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 adequate .

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Relationships between young people and staff are positive. Young people are supported by the staff team and make some progress in developing their skills, abilities and readiness for adulthood. Young people have positive views about their experiences in the home. There are no complaints from young people. This is reflected in comments from external parties. A social worker commented that a young person ‘views it as home.’

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Care plans, on the whole, are appropriately maintained. All of the required details are stored securely. However, internal care plans are not always updated when changes are made. Some health information is missing from young people’s files. Furthermore, the young person’s guide does not have the correct telephone number for Ofsted and young people do not routinely complete life-story work.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The home is safely maintained and attractively presented. Young people say they feel safe in the home. However, where sanctions are used they are sometimes unreasonable. Furthermore, records of sanctions do not always confirm that young people have been spoken to about the use of the measure.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The acting manager has recently been appointed to the home and has clear development plans in place. However, since the last inspection there has not been appropriate monitoring of the home’s records and the quality of care has not improved sufficiently. Furthermore, staff supervision has happened infrequently and not all staff are appropriately trained. There has been no impact on young people, to date, as a result of these shortfalls. As a result of this inspection, five requirements and two recommendations have been made.

p.3

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that no measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) shall be used at any time on children accommodated in a children’s home (Regulation 17 (1)) 10/01/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which must include confirmation that the person authorised by the registered provider to make the record has spoken to the child concerned and the person using the measure about the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3) (h)) 10/01/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed by the registered person receive appropriate training and supervision (Regulation 27 (4) (a)) 10/01/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain in respect of each child who is accommodated in a children's home a record in permanent form which includes the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to that child and is kept up to date (Regulation 28 (1) (a-b)) 10/01/2014

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children's home. (Regulation 34 (1) (b)) 10/01/2014

p.4

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 the children’s guide includes a summary of what the home sets out to do for children, how they can find out their rights, how a child can contact their IRO, the Children’s Rights Director, Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with inspectors, and how to secure access to an independent advocate (NMS 13.5)  ensure that staff support and encourage the child to reflect on and understand their history, according to their age and understanding, and to keep appropriate memorabilia of their time in the placement. Staff record and help children make a record of (subject to age and understanding), significant life events. (NMS 22.6)

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are adequate .

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people feel empowered to discuss their opinions about choices in the home. For example, young people choose meals and activities. A young person commented that ‘I feel listened to.’ Young people are able to discuss their feelings in regular house meetings and individual key working sessions. As a result, young people are afforded some opportunities to have their voices heard in the home.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make progress with their educational outcomes. Where young people have left compulsory full-time education they are either in further training or actively looking for employment. As a result, young people are able to follow their chosen career paths and work towards achieving their potential. Young people benefit from positive routines and are developing their independence and readiness for adult life. Young people help with domestic tasks around the home and develop their skills in preparing meals and shopping with a budget. Furthermore, young people learn how to apply for employment, prepare application forms and produce CVs. As a result, young people develop a set of skills which will support them in sustaining positive outcomes throughout their lives. A social worker commented that a young person ‘is doing well with developing their independence.’

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make some progress with managing their emotions and developing their resilience. Free access to a telephone ensures that young people stay in touch with their friends and families. A young person commented, ‘I’m able to contact my family when I want.’ As a result, young people are able to sustain their personal attachments and build their emotional security. Young people are able to invite their friends to the home and they enjoy spending time relaxing with their peers. However, young people do not collate memorabilia from their time in the home. As a result, young people do not fully reflect on their progress or recognise their achievements. A recommendation has been made to improve this area of practice.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are in good health and take responsibility for attending their medical appointments. This results in young people developing awareness of their own needs and becoming more independent. Young people lead active lifestyles and make good use of local public transport links. As a result, they develop their knowledge and awareness of the facilities on offer in the local community.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Where young people have specific cultural needs they are able to follow these in line with their expressed wishes. For example, where young people choose to follow a faith or tradition they maintain attendance at their chosen places of worship. As a result, the spirituality of young people is encouraged and developed. Young people know that their beliefs are supported and respected. A young person commented that the ‘staff treat me with respect.’

p.5

Quality of care

There have been no complaints from young people since the last inspection. Young people confirm that they know how to raise concerns if they are unhappy in the home. The young person’s guide includes a range of contact details for relevant sources of support. However, the telephone number for Ofsted is incorrect. As a result, young people may not be able to contact the regulator if they have concerns. A recommendation has been made to address this shortfall.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to take part in activities and are supported in expanding their social networks. Young people’s friends are welcome to visit the home and the staff team provide a homely environment at all times. Where young people are engaged in training or other vocational placements the staff team ensure that young people develop positive routines and are equipped with what they need. The staff team similarly ensure that young people who are looking for work or training are appropriately supported. This results in a home where young people are encouraged and supported to develop positive routines and make progress as a result. A young person commented that the staff are ‘always there if you need them.’ A social worker commented that ‘the staff team provide a very sensitive and very supportive environment for the young person.’

p.6

Quality of care

Young people’s medication is stored appropriately and administered in accordance with prescriptions. All staff are trained in medication procedures and regular checks ensure that the potential for mistakes is minimised. The wider health needs of young people are addressed as young people are registered with a range of medical services. As a result, young people are encouraged and supported to maintain appointments with opticians, doctors and dentists. However, health plans for young people are not always up to date and details of young people’s immunisations are not held on records kept in the home. As a result, the staff team are not fully aware of the medical history of young people. There is no demonstrable impact, to date, on the outcomes for young people as a result of this shortfall.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff team and know that the staff are concerned about their welfare. Key work sessions focus on specific issues relating to the progress of young people. For example, young people are able to discuss their emotions, their educational progress and their ideas for their future. This results in an environment in which young people feel supported. However, young people’s internal placement plans are not always updated when changes are made at reviews or by social workers. As a result, the expressed wishes of the young person and placing authority may not be fully reflected in the home’s placement plans. This means that important details or amendments may not be consistently known or followed by the staff team. There is no demonstrable impact, to date, on the outcomes for young people as a result of this shortfall.

p.6

Quality of care

The home is well presented and provides ample space for young people to relax in and enjoy each other’s company. Young people are encouraged to personalise their rooms and take pride in their environment. The staff team support young people to develop their readiness for adulthood by encouraging them to help with domestic chores around the home. This is further enhanced by young people following independence plans that focus on specific skills and abilities.

p.6

Safeguarding children and young people

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

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents involving the use of restraint. The home’s recording system has been improved and now ensures that, if restraint is used, all of the required details are recorded. Sanctions are used to discourage socially unacceptable behaviour. However, where sanctions are given they are not always fair or reasonable. For example, when young people refuse to complete a domestic task they are banned from the home’s communal lounge. As a result, sanctions that are excessive and unreasonable have been used in the home. A requirement has been made to address this shortfall. The home’s chosen method of recording does not provide space or require staff to confirm that the young person has been spoken to about the sanction applied. A further requirement has been made to ensure that this area of practice improves.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are safe and confirm that they feel safe in the home. They are able to speak to staff about any issues that concern them. They are also encouraged to access services or support if they so wish. This results in an environment where young people know that the staff are concerned about their welfare. Where serious incidents occur, the acting manager ensures that the relevant authorities are notified. Where necessary, immediate action is taken to promote the safety and welfare of young people. A young person commented that they have ‘no worries about the home or the staff or anything.’

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Incidents of young people going missing from the home are reducing. Appropriate action is taken when that happens. The staff team ensure that young people are supported when they return and talk to them about why they went missing. The acting manager appropriately shares information with the relevant support services. As a result, young people benefit from a home that promotes their safety and well- being. A young person commented that the staff ‘talk to me about being safe.’

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Staff recruitment is safely carried out and ensures that only suitable adults work at the home. That promotes young people’s safety by making sure that they don’t come into contact with adults who may wish to cause them harm. Visitors to the home are appropriately checked and, where necessary, chaperoned. Fire drills regularly take place, including at evening times. This ensures that young people are able to safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire. All the necessary checks on electrical and gas installations are up to date and the home is regularly checked for health and safety defects. Clear processes are in place to make sure that the home is appropriately and safely maintained at all times.

p.7

Leadership and management

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

p.8

Leadership and management

The home was last inspected in January 2013 and was judged to be making good progress. One requirement and one recommendation were made at that time.

p.8

Leadership and management

The previous Registered Manager left in early November 2013. The organisation ensured that prompt and appropriate action was taken to appoint a new manager to the home. An acting manager has been in post since then and an application to register with Ofsted is underway. The Registered Manager and subsequently, acting manager, ensured that the requirement made at the time of the last inspection has been met. However, a lack of appropriate monitoring of the home’s records means that the recommendation that was made at the same time has not been addressed satisfactorily. As a result, a requirement has been made to ensure that the management of the home reviews and improves the quality of care in the home.

p.8

Leadership and management

The organisation ensures that monthly monitoring visits take place at the home. Reports from these visits identify areas for further development and support the acting manager in making improvements. The acting manager has implemented changes and has a good awareness of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. Clear development plans are in place to improve the standard of care in the home.

p.8

Leadership and management

The home’s Statement of Purpose is up to date and reflects the recent changes to the home’s management. As a result, young people, placing authorities, parents and carers can review the services offered by the home. The acting manager ensures that the home is safely maintained so as to protect young people’s health and safety. Young people’s records are securely stored and information is protected from unauthorised access. This ensures that the privacy of young people is respected at all times.

p.8

Leadership and management

Since the last inspection, staff supervision has not happened with sufficient frequency or regularity. As a result, staff have not been fully supported in their duties and their developmental needs have not been appropriately explored. This means that young people have not been cared for by a staff team who are fully supported and enabled to develop their knowledge and skills. However, the acting manager has ensured that all staff have received supervision since her arrival.

p.8

Leadership and management

Staff training is generally up to date. However, not all staff have been trained in the home’s chosen method of restraint. There is no demonstrable impact to young people as there has been no use of restraint since the last inspection. Even so the potential exists for young people to be restrained by staff who are not appropriately trained. A requirement has been made to ensure improvements are made to staff supervision and training.

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