Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039683 Inspection date 02/12/2013 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/02/2013 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 can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that local authority.

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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 outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are at different stages of their journey through the home. Their complex, individualised issues, circumstances and needs are recognised and supported through a fully integrated, multi-agency approach, which is reflected in the detailed plans and strategies put into place for them. Achieving successful outcomes can take time, but young people are living in a home that provides them with high quality, consistent levels of care, where staff do not give up on them. This results in young people experiencing outstanding outcomes in all areas of their lives, based on their individual starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

The home continues to move forward and prosper. A stable, well-motivated staff group who are well organised and managed, provide young people with a home where they can settle and make strong relationships with appropriate role models. This allows them to take stock of their lives and invest in a more ordered and socially acceptable lifestyle than experienced previously.

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Overall effectiveness

Although the home is structured, with clear and consistent boundaries in place, young people's individual needs are central and influential to the way the home is organised and operates. Young people's current needs, along with their progress, is monitored effectively to ensure those needs are being addressed and met.

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Overall effectiveness

The home has developed and maintains excellent working relationships with partner agencies which ensures young people receive appropriate support to address their specific needs. Young people benefit from living in a stable, supportive and safe environment, where individuality is accepted in a non-judgemental way. Developing strong, trusting and respectful relationships lay the foundation for the way the home operates, based on the ethos and culture built up over past years. Young people understand the boundaries in place, recognising them as fair and there to promote their best interests. Any challenging and unsafe behaviour is well managed by an experienced staff team that has the ability and commitment to initiate safe and supportive working practices. This results in welfare being promoted positively

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Overall effectiveness

Staff work proactively and supportively with young people through troubled and challenging times, encouraging them towards more appropriate decision making as they grow and mature. As a result, young people adopt a lifestyle that promotes their development socially, emotionally and educationally, as they journey towards greater independence.

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Overall effectiveness

An experienced manager is well supported by her management and staff team. They are supportive and fully committed to the ethos, culture and working practices of the home, delivering a consistency of care that is appreciated by young people. The strengths and weaknesses of the home are recognised and there are suitable plans in place to move the home forward in the quest for continued development.

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection has not raised any major areas of concern, although one area for future development has been identified; this links to adding some more detail to the guide for young people.

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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 the young people's guide to the home includes the contact details for their Independent Reviewing Officer and the Children's Rights Director. (NMS 13.5)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people living at the home along with those who left recently but continue to be supported by staff, are either achieving, or on their way to achieving, outstanding outcomes in all areas of their lives. This is reflective of their starting points linked to their previous experiences of life and their current journey through the home. For example, for those in long-term placements, complex needs are being addressed systematically, with those placed for shorter periods having their behaviour and general lifestyle modified to allow them to move forward and make positive choices about themselves and their future. The ethos and working practices developed by the home support young people towards setting and achieving their own personal goals, which are reflected in the ambitions they have for the future.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home gives troubled young people who have often experienced a chaotic lifestyle prior to admission, a safe and secure base, which gives them stability and the opportunity to grow in confidence and develop strong bonds and relationships. As a result, they make exceptional progress with their ability to form lasting relationships, attachments, develop resilience and in their understanding and appreciation of their own circumstances. This is reflected in the views expressed by young people. One captured those feelings by saying, `The staff are always there for you, they help me engage with what I want to do in the future.' Another says ‘` If I had not been placed here I don't know where I would be now, probably in a really bad place.' One young person living at the home for some time says, ‘Staff are like my family. They support me, care for me and encourage me.'

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Outcomes for children and young people

Contact arrangements for many can be complex and stressful and staff work flexibly to support and facilitate the arrangements. Young people and their social workers acknowledge this, which results in all parties benefitting from the contact arrangements in place. As a result, young people’s contact arrangements and needs are well met.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people's educational outcomes are outstanding, when compared to their starting points and taking account of their personal issues and situations which have impacted negatively at times on their education. The home has an excellent record of re-engaging young people with their education and has forged outstanding links with local schools, colleges and other projects set up to work with young people leaving formal education. As a result, young people are able to maximise their educational achievements, with the sensitive and pro-active support of staff, who excel in re- motivating and steering disillusioned young people towards improving educational outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Both the physical and mental health needs of young people are being promoted positively. Young people are benefitting from the excellent joined-up medical services that are available. Specialist input to support and address some complex and delicate mental health issues is available to those who need it. Staff ensure they have the knowledge and expertise to care effectively through the close working relationships developed with specialist services, as well as accessing appropriate training when needed. This ensures young people's physical, emotional and psychological needs are well met.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people take an active role in shopping, planning menus and food preparation, as part of their independence programme. Food is nutritious, balanced and provides for choice and individual tastes. Young people are encouraged to try unfamiliar foods, appreciate different cultures and try international cuisine. Festivals and religious events are regularly celebrated.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to improve their lifestyles through diet and exercise. They are provided with information and given every encouragement and practical support to modify certain aspects of their lifestyle, such as tobacco, drugs and alcohol. The excellent working relationships established by the home with other services benefit young people in a variety of ways. For example, the home is well served by others such as the local looked after nurse and has strong links with local sexual health services. This results in young people enjoying improvements to their general health and fitness levels.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The home is well established in the community, with young people given every encouragement to integrate into community life and make a positive contribution to the wider community. For example, young people regularly raise money for local and national charity events such as `Race for Life' and `Children in Need’. These activities develop young people's social awareness and help them to recognise there are others less fortunate well off than themselves.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The arrangements for guiding young people towards a more independent lifestyle are outstanding. Many young people will move into semi or fully independent accommodation when they leave. The home has its own arrangements to provide outreach support to young people, which is something they appreciate. Planning for transition and independence commences early with young people's participation in the home’s own independence training programme, with staff promoting young people's independence in a variety of ways. For example, one young person has had recent success traveling independently to family visits.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from receiving an outstanding quality of care. The high levels of support given to young people by staff, along with the pro-active way they work to keep young people safe, is recognised by young people and other professionals. For example, one professional describes staff as, ’Caring, consistent, pro-active and always ready to move forward, with young people's needs at the centre of their thinking and planning.' Another says, ’They do an excellent job. Staff are prepared to ask advice and have a very caring manner.'

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Quality of care

The culture, ethos and working practices of the home reflect the high aspirations staff have for all young people, whatever challenges and difficulties are presented. Young people confirm they feel well supported, even in times of difficulty and stress. This reflects the meaningful and trusting relationships created between young people and staff, which is an underpinning factor to the home’s success. Working this way contributes significantly to reducing the number of serious behaviour management incidents that occur in the home.

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Quality of care

Young people have access to information which promotes their rights and highlights how the complaints procedures can be accessed if necessary, for example, in the guide to the home for young people. However, the guide lacks contact details for a young person's Independent Reviewing Officer and the Children's Rights Director. Young people confirm they understand how to make a complaint and are confident to do so. Complaints are taken seriously and addressed in a timely manner. However, most young people feel they resolve many issues through dialogue with staff without having to make a formal complaint.

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Quality of care

Consultation and on-going communication is a feature of daily life in the home. Young people confirm they are consulted regularly and feel they can influence certain aspects of the home’s daily functioning, such as the choice of food, weekly activities and future leisure breaks. Young people's meetings and key work sessions are areas identified by young people where consultation takes place. The practice of continuous consultation and acting upon it, gives young people a feeling of worth and a sense that their opinions and views do matter. It also gives them empowerment to control certain aspects of their own daily lives.

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Quality of care

Young people and staff are relaxed with each other and actively enjoy each other's company. Young people are at the centre of the home’s daily routines, which is run for the benefit of them, not staff. This practice contributes significantly to the high quality of care provided being provided.

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Quality of care

The range of high quality individualised planning documents and assessments of risk, link effectively with each other. When read collectively, they give an excellent insight into the needs of young people, along with the plans and strategies in place to meet those needs. They are reviewed and updated regularly to keep them current. Young people confirm they are involved in their planning, which gives them a clear sense of direction and input regarding their own progress and future.

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Quality of care

This home is modern, welcoming and homely. Young people are comfortable in their environment and there is a calm, relaxed atmosphere which gives a good impression of the home and the people living in it. It is well kept, with good standards of repair, equipment, fixtures, furnishings and décor. Young people have their own bedrooms, which are personalised to suit the tastes and interests of each the occupant. Photographs and mementos on display reflect young people’s positive experiences and celebrate success.

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Quality of care

Young people are well integrated into the local community, with many enjoying active social lives. This allows them to form friendships with others in the community, helping them to become more integrated and accepted locally. They also engage in a wide range of shared activities with staff, as well as pursuing individual interests of their own. For example, one young person is soon to visit some continental Christmas markets and others speak positively about their recent holiday with staff to North Wales during the last half-term break.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Outstanding arrangements are in place to safeguard and protect young people. The home has maintained its excellent links with the range of external agencies, charged with keeping young people safe. Communication levels are high, which is reflected with the collaborative and cohesive working practices that exist between external agencies and the home. Staff are pro-active in their responses to reduce risk and understand their responsibilities and duties in promoting young people's welfare. Young people make it clear they feel safe and secure and that the home is a safe place to be.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people confirm bullying is not an area of concern for them, acknowledging that staff intervene quickly if an incident occurs. This gives them a feeling of security and general safety. Staff are vigilant to the dangers of bullying and the impact it could have. Good staffing levels reduce opportunities for bullying and help create an environment where any form of bullying is not tolerated.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has pro-active procedures in place to address any incidents of young people going missing and work closely with community policing in doing so. Local, multi-agency protocols are followed, which ensures staff respond appropriately to any incidents that do occur. This multi-agency response to missing young people minimises situations where they can become vulnerable or put themselves at risk.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people recognise that good behaviour is rewarded and say that rules and boundaries are fair. Staff work supportively rather than punitively with young people, even during times of unrest and challenge. The structure and boundaries in place are designed to protect young people, something they recognise and usually respect.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are clear that physical intervention is used only as a last resort and this is reflected in practice, with only one incident having taken place since the previous inspection. Consistent and effective monitoring of all behaviour management incidents and issues, means individual behaviour management strategies are kept under review and adapted as required. This ensures that any serious behaviour management incidents that may occur are safely managed.

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Safeguarding children and young people

No new staff have been recruited for some years. However, appropriate recruitment policies and practice following the local authority’s guidelines are in place to ensure any new staff will be suitably recruited and cleared prior to taking up their posts. Longer serving staff are being re-checked over a three year cycle, ensuring that only suitably checked people have contact with young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected through a range of risk assessments identifying hazards in and away from the home. They participate in regular fire drills and can safely exit the home if needed. Safety checks to maintain a safe environment are regularly undertaken. Individual risk assessments, coupled with coping strategies, promote a safe environment for all young people. Individual strategies are updated in light of reviews of young people’s risks and progress.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding . The home and young people benefit from having an experienced, child-centred, highly motivated manager who has been in post for some years. The staff team work together cohesively and are well organised, energetic and able to provide consistency of care. Difficulties and challenges are overcome using a team-centred approach, where all staff work collectively to meet young people's needs and improve outcomes.

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Leadership and management

The formal supervision and appraisal of staff takes place consistently, with staff able to acknowledge and appreciate the high level of support they receive. There is a strong commitment to professional development and staff training. Staff regularly attend training sessions which introduces them to new learning as well as revising set knowledge and basic skills.

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Leadership and management

A full programme of internal training, organised by the management team of the home, enhances and develops both the skill and knowledge base of staff effectively. For example, due to current issues, personality disorder training was brought into a recent staff meeting. This is an example of the immediate steps the home is prepared to take which allows them to deal with and meet the ever-changing needs of young people in their care.

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Leadership and management

The internal and external monitoring of the home takes place regularly and is of a high standard. Reports from both forms of monitoring evaluate, assess and quality assure all areas of the home’s performance. Included in this process are the views of young people. The information assembled feeds directly into the comprehensive written plans that are in place, which set realistic and challenging targets for the home.

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Leadership and management

The home has an excellent record of compliance and no requirements or recommendations were carried over from the previous inspection. The home continues to demonstrate its capacity for continued improvement. For example, with the creation and introduction of monthly management action plans which include a full revision of each young person's placement plan, the creation of appraisals on young people following requests by them when making their own contribution to staff appraisal and in some significant improvements made to the furnishing and fabric of the home.

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Leadership and management

Young people are looked after by an enthusiastic staff team that demonstrate a genuine desire and commitment to improve young people's outcomes and prepare them for the transition into adult life. Achieving positive outcomes can be slow and time consuming. However, there is an energy and balance to the home that allows young people to settle, explore issues and make mistakes in a safe environment. This builds confidence and self-esteem which is used as a platform for young people to grow, develop and mature at a pace that is right for them.

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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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