Children's Home run by Young Alliance Limited in Cheshire East

Unique reference number SC381531 Inspection date 15/01/2014 Inspector Sue Winson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/06/2013 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

This home is a specialised children's home that is provided by a private residential childcare provider in partnership with an independent mental health community service. The service provides residential care for children and young people who have experienced moderate to serious mental health problems. The home is registered to care for five children at any one time.

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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 make good progress, underpinned by effective high quality support. The staff focus on the diverse and complex needs of the young people and work together with other involved professionals and implement detailed and holistic plans in a consistent way. As a result the young people engage in therapy and individual work which aids their good progress. In addition, staff are alert to young people’s mental health and their needs, and provide appropriate levels of supervision and support to safeguard their welfare.

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Overall effectiveness

Parents commented positively about the ‘lovely warm atmosphere’ in the home, and said they felt their children are safe and happy. They and social workers commented on the high quality of services provided to the young people. Young people said the home is ‘more relaxed and like a real home’ than expected, and ‘the best thing that’s ever happened to me’. A minority felt that they are not appropriately placed in this home at the moment.

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Overall effectiveness

The enthusiastic and committed staff group work well together in the interests of the young people under the leadership of the manager. Effective monitoring and commitment to the improvement agenda maximises the progress young people make and the outcomes they achieve.

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Overall effectiveness

The one recommendation made at the last inspection has been fully addressed and measures of discipline are now fully recorded. The home cannot yet demonstrate that consultation with parents and professionals is used to improve the quality of care provided. Young people are receiving education, although not all have firm plans in place to reintegrate them into schools or colleges after long periods out of education.

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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

 the registered provider and children’s home staff must work closely with the authority responsible for the child’s care so that they are supported and enabled to resume full time education (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5:Children’s Homes 2.119)  the views of the young person’s family, their social worker, and their Independent Reviewing Officer should be sought regularly and used to support continual improvement in the quality of care provided by the home. (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5:Children’s Homes 2.27)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress from their starting points and are appropriately placed in the home. They report very positive relationships with staff, and say they receive the support they need. They described their staff as kind, caring, fair and always ready to listen. The majority commented on the relaxed and homely atmosphere in the house. Young people have the opportunity to visit the home prior to moving in, and in some cases, are able to make informed decisions about whether they want to live there.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are cared for in line with their highly personalised care plans, which ensures they receive appropriate care and services they need in order to progress. They are involved in the planning and understand their goals, and what is needed to achieve them. In all areas of their lives, they are consulted and contribute to the running of the home. All enjoy buying items, painting and personalising their bedrooms, of which they are proud.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people understand the benefits of healthy eating and lead healthy lifestyles. They are involved in shopping, cooking and are able to maintain their dietary preferences. Their physical, emotional and psychological health needs are met through access to a range of specialist services. Young people are developing a more positive self-image and are increasing in confidence, both within the home and when in the community. They understand key health issues, and have been supported to considerably reduce their risk taking behaviours. All are developing a range of skills as preparation for adult life. Young people have successfully left the home to live in their home areas, after extended transition periods, which ensure they are well prepared. Some continue to contact and visit the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The education of young people is geared to their needs, and they are making good progress. Some have been highly successful in public examinations. Most attend college regularly and have been involved in choosing courses they want to do. Where they have been out of education for some time, not all have firm plans to help them build up their formal learning time. Socially, young people have opportunities to actively involve themselves in community activities and their friends are welcomed in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit greatly from the support they receive from staff to build and maintain positive contact with family and friends. Arrangements for contact are clearly described in care plans. Some family members visit the home and are made welcome by young people and staff.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from staff working highly effectively with a range of professionals to meet their needs. This includes an on-going arrangement with a service to provide a range of psychiatric, psychological and clinical nursing care. These professionals visit the home every weekday and provide support to the young people and staff. They have built relationships to the benefit of the young people who engage in work with them. Excellent communication within the staff team and with other professionals ensures young people receive a consistency of care to which they respond well.

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Quality of care

Comprehensive care plans outline the details of young people’s needs and specify how they will be met. These are continually monitored and updated as young people’s needs change. This ensures that the plans always provide current guidance to staff and support young people’s progress. Young people are encouraged to contribute to their plans and to attend statutory reviews. Staff are open and honest with young people and help them to understand and express their feelings and behaviours in appropriate ways. Young people respond well to positive behaviour management, based on encouragement and reward, rather than sanctions.

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Quality of care

Education is well promoted and most young people regularly attend appropriate schools or colleges, and are doing well. Where young people are not in full time education, they are encouraged by the staff group to continue learning in the home, with varying degrees of success. Healthy living is well promoted and young people’s individual diets are monitored where there are concerns. Staff work with health professionals to ensure that young people understand and manage their physical health needs. All medications are well monitored by appropriately qualified professionals, to the benefit of the young people. The arrangements for the administration of medication protects the young people. Staff do not give medication without full training and records are well maintained and monitored. In addition the arrangement for storage of medicines has been strengthened. Daily stock checks ensure that any potential discrepancies are

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Quality of care

The home is well maintained and furnished, and young people are involved in choosing items for their rooms and shared areas. The house is large enough to allow for young people to have privacy. They like the house and enjoy contributing to redecoration and the choice of furnishings. This shows that young people’s views are sought and duly considered in the running of the 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 say that they are safe in the home and that staff discuss personal safety with them regularly. They all have someone outside of the home that they can contact, should they wish to express concerns. Young people know about their rights and how to make complaints.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Levels of supervision of individuals is based on young people’s needs at any one time, and ensures that they are safeguarded. Young people’s needs for independence are well balanced with their need for protection, to allow them time out on their own when possible. Staff are highly alert to changes in young people’s demeanour and moods, and take action when young people are unable to keep themselves safe. This is underpinned by highly robust risk assessments and risk management plans. These are reviewed and revised to reflect changes in the young people, in consultation with other professionals. In addition the home works with other agencies, including the police and the local authority designated officer for child protection. As a result of the strong focus on young people’s safety, high risk incidents have significantly reduced in the home, including missing from home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Minimal use of restraint reflects the staff’s knowledge of the young people and the commitment to using physical intervention only as a last resort. Following any incidents staff talk with the young people, who know that restraint is only used in their best interests.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The arrangements for the recruitment of staff are thorough and ensure that young people are safeguarded. The home is physically safe and secure, and regular maintenance and prompt repairs ensure that it remains so.

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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

The registered manager is appropriately qualified and experienced and provides effective leadership. The staff team say they are well supported, supervised and managed. The adolescent mental health service also provides guidance, advice and support to the staff, which they value. Training programmes ensure that they are updated about practice changes and continue to develop their skills in looking after the young people.

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Leadership and management

There have been recent changes in the staff group, however this has not impacted negatively on the young people. Recruitment has started but in the meantime, permanent staff have undertaken extra shifts and either agency or sessional staff, who are known to the young people, have been used. This approach means shifts have a balance so that experienced staff are always part of the shift. Young people mentioned the changes but were clear that they are still well supported. Sufficient staff are on duty to meet the support needs of the young people and allow them to go on trips, keep appointments and go on activities.

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Leadership and management

Regular auditing and monitoring takes place to ensure that practice reflects the aims and objectives outlined in the Statement of Purpose. The manager’s reports contain analysis and learning points which inform the improvement agenda. Visits carried out by the monitoring visitor take place regularly, and usually include discussions with the young people.

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Leadership and management

Records are well organised, and securely stored to maintain confidentiality. They are up to date and routinely signed by the manager.

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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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