Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC441553 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person North East Lincolnshire Council Registered person address Vulnerable Children Management Team Western Site, Cambridge Road Grimsby Lincolnshire DN34 5TD Responsible individual Daren Russell Hale Registered manager Michael Harry Wren Date of last inspection 10/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 15/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

Outcomes for children and young people adequate Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe adequate Leadership and management adequate

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are happy in their home. Relationships with staff and each other are positive and feedback from professionals is good. Young people are cared for and respected as individuals and are given positive choices which builds self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Attendance at education provision is good and young people enjoy a wide range of leisure activities, which improves their social and life skills. Young people are prepared well for adulthood enhancing their future opportunities and independence. A social worker commented, 'They’ve always, always worked well with us and children have done well here. It’s a lovely positive atmosphere.'

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe and staff do all they can to safeguard them on a daily basis. The majority of young people respond to this carefully planned, nurturing approach and are thriving. One young person stated, ‘I feel safe. I know how to complain. I can talk to staff if I want.' However, not all young people fully engage with the care provided and continue to be involved in some criminal activities or go missing from the home.

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Overall effectiveness

This has been a time of change and uncertainty as the Registered Manager post has been covered by an acting manager for eight weeks. The local authority acted swiftly to fill the gap by appointing an acting manager but there was an initial period of confusion for staff. The manager is working together with the senior care team in 3 of 11 the home to address the areas for development they have jointly identified and to build on the evident strengths. This proactive approach is of benefit to young people who continue to receive good quality of care while their safety is improved.

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Overall effectiveness

Nevertheless there are still some areas for development that need to be addressed. These include ensuring Ofsted are notified appropriately of all significant events; clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the manager and staff; improving internal monitoring processes and ensuring that all young people are provided with the opportunity to comment upon any sanctions they receive. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority long-stay children's home registered to accommodate five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/03/2014 Interim good progress 23/10/2013 Full good 09/01/2013 Interim good progress 17/07/2012 Full good

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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 that following any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 taking place, the registered person shall notify without delay the persons indicated in respect of the event in Column 2, in particular Ofsted. (Regulation 30 (1)) 29/08/2014

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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 that where any sanctions are used children are encouraged to have th 5 of 11 views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring (NMS 21.2)  ensure that managers and staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. The level of delegation and responsibility of the manager and staff and the lines of accountability, are clearly defined. (NMS 21.4) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are in the process of developing sustainable attachments with the staff and each other. As a result young people’s emotional well-being, sense of identity and belonging are enhanced.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are fully supported to develop an understanding of their background and culture. Staff promote and facilitate contact arrangements, even in challenging circumstances, to ensure that important familial links are maintained and rebuilt. Young people fully benefit from the security, stability and sense of consistency that regular contact with family and friends brings to them. A young person said, ‘I really like seeing my mum every two weeks. My relationship is building with her much better than I ever thought. I never thought I would see her again when I first came in to care.'

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people benefit from the healthy lifestyle promoted in the home. A good selection of fruit, salads and vegetables are readily available and young people are positively encouraged to participate in inclusive exercise and activities in the community. In addition young people are actively involved in choosing the menus, learn how to cook and budget as part of their day-to-day care. Young people are therefore equipped to function independently in later life. A young person said, ‘I feel I am good with money. I have been fully engaged with my support package and feel competent in washing, cooking and shopping.'

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people learn the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity as set out in their individual health plans. As a result young people take better care of themselves and are developing positive foundations for a healthy lifestyle in adulthood. Young people’s sense of value and self-worth improve as they engage with this process. However, some young people are engaging in activities which potentially pose a risk to their health and emotional wellbeing and this includes substance misuse.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people benefit from routines which enable them to make the most of educational opportunities and be prepared for the school and college day. The majority make good progress with their educational attainment, including taking and passing national examinations. Young people and professionals report that staff fully support school and college attendance including attending parents’ and open evenings. As a result young people are interested and motivated to move in to further education and aspire to succeed in their chosen careers. A teacher reported that a young person ‘is so pleased staff are interested in what he is doing.' However, some young people still need to carry out significant work to achieve their full educational potential.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people enjoy pursuing other educational and social activities such as army 7 of 11 cadets and a local motor project. For young people not as academically proficient this enables them to learn new skills with which they can follow their chosen career path. Some young people engage though in risky and offending behaviour which compromises their safety, reduces their chances of meeting their full potential and may limit future opportunities in employment.

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Quality of care good

Young people and staff enjoy positive and constructive relationships with each other. Staff have a good understanding of young people’s individual needs, personality, circumstances and background. Staff show empathy towards young people’s emotions and have a genuine concern for their welfare. As a result young people feel valued and understood as individuals. Staff help young people to understand their cultural background and maintain their family relationships enabling them to form quality attachments. Consequently young people gain confidence in their abilities to succeed through these positive relationships now and in the future with family and friends. One young person commented, ‘My relationship with my family is building better than I ever thought.'

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Quality of care good

Young people’s holistic care and individual behaviour management plans are up-to- date, comprehensive, thorough and complemented by strong individual risk assessments. Staff ensure that young people’s diverse and cultural needs are identified in care planning and met in their day-to-day care. Young people are fully aware of all their plans and contribute to all aspects of their care. This effectively supports young people’s autonomy and provides them with a sense of equality and the power to make choices in their lives. The committed and enthusiastic staff team are ambitious for young people to succeed in all aspects of their lives. Young people feel valued and that staff genuinely care for them and are consistently concerned with their welfare. Staff use these positive and warm relationships to encourage and empower young people to take responsibility for their health needs, engage with education provision and make

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Quality of care good

positive choices for their futures. One staff member said, 'I am passionate about young people achieving and following their aspirations, not just in the class room but all areas of life.'

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Quality of care good

Young people’s views are sought through a variety of means and are central to the daily running of their home. Young people participate in regular house meetings and key work sessions as well as taking an active role in devising menus and planning activities. Young people feel that they are listened to, that they belong and as a result gain the confidence to express their views in a positive manner.

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Quality of care good

Creative staff members encourage young people to try out new life experiences and join in a wealth of activities in the community and further afield. For example, regular attendance at a snowboarding venue and participating in a coast to coast bicycle event. These opportunities give the young people a sense of achievement, broadens 8 of 11 their life experiences and empowers them to maximise their potential as young adults.

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Quality of care good

Young people enjoy living in a home which is well maintained and with a particular ‘homely feel’ in communal areas such as the living room. The family kitchen is at the heart of this home. Young people share meals together with staff while sharing the details of their day. In addition, young people’s individual identity is promoted through their choices of wallpaper, colours, pictures and posters in their well- equipped bedrooms. As a result, young people’s sense of belonging and feelings of security are enhanced.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people report that they feel safe in this home where their individual vulnerabilities are identified and responded to. Young people are from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of their care experience. The experienced and committed staff team recognise the potential for bullying and actively work with young people to prevent any such behaviours. Young people are safeguarded by these measures and report no episodes of bullying.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people are protected by strong individual risk assessments which identify whether they are at risk of going missing. In addition the staff team work proactively with partner agencies, including the missing person’s police officer, to prevent missing episodes. Staff actively look for young people while they are absent, visiting known addresses and attending the 'bus stop' where young people are known to congregate. However, some young people have yet to engage with the preventative measures in place and continue to absent themselves.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Robust behaviour management plans clearly identify young people's strengths and 'triggers' and how staff can support them to promote positive behaviours. Staff are good role models for young people. Their respectful and caring approach towards young people and each other encourages young people to respond in the same way. Young people feel valued as individuals, building self-esteem and feelings of self- worth. Consequently, although staff are trained in physical intervention techniques, such are the good relationships between young people and staff, there have not been any incidents of restraint since the last inspection.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The home implements appropriate sanctions in response to negative behaviours. These are balanced with rewards for good behaviour. These positive messages increase young people's self-esteem and confidence and encourage their good behaviour. However, not all sanctions are fully recorded nor are young people routinely encouraged to comment upon the impact of these. Therefore young people are not always being provided with the opportunity to learn from the consequences of their actions. 9 of 11 Young people enjoy living in a home which is appropriately safe and secure to meet their needs. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks, including fire drills, to ensure the premises are safe and young people know what to do in case of an emergency. Young people are protected from any hazards by a wide range of health and safety procedures, risk assessments and checks. In addition, the recruitment and selection of people working at the home is thorough to make sure young people are

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Leadership and management adequate

There is an acting manager who has covered the Registered Manager’s post since 19 May 2014. She has applied to Ofsted to become the registered manager within the requisite timescales. She is qualified to manage this home and has substantial experience within the residential sector as well as that of management within a local authority setting. A staff member stated, 'The new manager is respectful to staff and respectful of staff. This has kept staff morale up and helped young people to adapt to the changes'.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff report that they were initially confused regarding the management arrangements. This situation has now been strengthened with an extra senior post added to the management team. This ensures that there is always a member of the home’s management team on duty. The management team are working hard to identify appropriate responsibilities and ensure that staff are fully supported to maintain a good quality of care within the home.

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Leadership and management adequate

There have not been any complaints from young people since the last inspection. A complaint made by a member of staff is being appropriately and promptly addressed by the local authority and is not impacting on the care of the young people. Young people are accepted and welcome as members of their community. A neighbour complimented the home and thanked the young people for their sensitivity following a family bereavement.

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Leadership and management adequate

Managers have demonstrated a capacity for improvement. For instance, the previous inspection’s one recommendation for staff to know and understand the home’s missing policy has been implemented. Staff have worked with managers within their team meetings on the difference between unauthorised absence and missing episodes. Consequently there has been an improvement in the recording of missing episodes.

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Leadership and management adequate

The provider continues to meet the aims and objectives of the home as stated in the comprehensive Statement of Purpose. As a result, young people, their families and other interested parties are clear about the services to be provided and the care young people will receive.

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Leadership and management adequate

Excellent external monitoring processes fully incorporate the views of young people 10 of 11 and other interested parties. This effectively contributes to the development of the home while promoting the safety of young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Initially the acting manager was unable to access the monitoring documentation held electronically within the home. Consequently auditing processes were not sufficiently thorough. However, she is in the process of introducing internal audit systems which ensure compliance with the home’s policies and provide safeguards for young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

The majority of significant events relating to the protection of young people are appropriately notified to all interested parties in line with legislation. However, there have been occasions when the regulator Ofsted have not been notified as they should. This does not provide young people with the full protection of multi-agency decision making.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager and staff report that they receive appropriate training to meet the needs of the young people in their care. In addition, staff members stated that regular supervision is of a high quality and that they benefit from the support provided.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people benefit from being fully supported to participate in their reviews. The home’s contribution to reviews, and ensuring that these take place within requisite timescales, is of a high quality. As a result young people understand what the plans are for their future and this enhances their self-esteem and feelings of well-being.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records are comprehensive, clear, up-to-date and fully contribute to a young person's understanding of their life and care experience. This benefits the young people both now and in their future adult lives. Transition plans and monthly progress documents are particularly good in empowering young people to express their wishes for their futures and how they feel they can achieve them.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager and senior team are clear about the home's strengths and areas of development. The team plan is comprehensive and details realistic areas for development and how these are to be achieved to further benefit the young people. The manager and staff team are able to demonstrate the positive impact that living in the home has had on young people. For example, taking part in leisure activities that young people would not normally have experienced and attending education provision. A social worker said, 'They are given the opportunity for lots of new experiences.' Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information 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 framework of inspection for children's homes.

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