Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in Hampshire

Unique reference number SC068046 Inspector David Coulter Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person New Forest Care Limited Registered person address New Forest Care, Chinham Road Bartley SOUTHAMPTON SO40 2LF Responsible individual Michael Philip Ferne Registered manager David Anthony Derrick Byrom Date of last inspection 10/03/2014 2 of 9 Inspection date 17/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

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

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Overall effectiveness

The home currently provides high quality care within a safe and nurturing environment to an extremely vulnerable young person with complex physical, social and emotional needs. Evidence indicates the young person is responding positively to the care and attention they are receiving and are making significant progress in many aspects of their life. Their progress is reflected in their educational attendance, a reduction in incidents of challenging behaviour and an increasing willingness to discuss with staff the specific difficulties they face.

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Overall effectiveness

The home operates in the best interests of the young person. The young person is involved in all aspects of daily living and can exercise choice over such things as the food they eat and the type of activities they engage in. The young person spoke in positive terms about their experiences within the home and commented on the support and guidance they were receiving from staff and how this had enabled them to adopt more positive behaviour. Staff reinforce the young person's positive behaviour and their success is recognised and celebrated.

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Overall effectiveness

The well-motivated staff team have aspirations for the young person in their care and there is an expectation they will lead a full and active life during their placement. Effective teamwork ensures the young person receives consistent care. The young person follows a specially designed education and social development 3 of 9 training programme throughout the week and their attendance is excellent. The training programme incorporates opportunities to acquire key independent living skills that will help them when they move on to an appropriate adult setting. Effective systems ensure that the young person’s progress is monitored on an on- going basis. The staff team continue to respond appropriately to the changing circumstances and growing self-confidence of the young person in their care.

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Overall effectiveness

Although there is one recommendation arising from this report relating to the further development of the garden, it does not detract from the quality of the current care that is assessed as outstanding. 4 of 9

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and operates this children's home. The setting accommodates a maximum of one young person of either gender between the ages of 10 and 17 years who has complex emotional, behavioural and educational difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/03/2014 Interim good progress 16/07/2013 Full outstanding 13/11/2012 Interim good progress 17/07/2012 Full good

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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 garden area is well maintained to provide ready access. (NMS 10.3 5 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home provides safety and stability to a particularly vulnerable young person with complex care needs who has experienced significant periods of disruption and uncertainty in their life. By participating in a range of social, educational and recreational activities the young person is acquiring a range of knowledge and skills that will prepare them for successfully moving on to an appropriate adult provision. The increased self-confidence the young person has gained from extending their knowledge and acquiring new skills has resulted in them asserting their independence by exercising choice over more aspects of their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Good staffing levels ensure the young person receives appropriate supervision and support that enables them to achieve a number of agreed identified goals relating to their physical, social and emotional development. The young person's success in achieving their goals is recognised and rewarded. The response of the young person to this positive approach is reflected in a general improvement in their behaviour. Incidents relating to anti-social and self-destructive behaviours have significantly decreased.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The health and well-being of the young person is carefully monitored and they are being encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle by eating wisely and taking regular exercise. The young person can exercise choice over what they eat and are provided opportunities to develop their culinary skills by producing meals. Staff aim to ensure that daily activities include some form of physical activity. Walking, swimming and gardening are currently popular. Specialist medical and therapeutic help is sought to address specific areas of concern. Well established policies, procedures and working practices ensure that all activities associated with medical interventions or personal care are dealt with sensitively. The young person is provided with regular advice and guidance on health related issues. The young person has established trusting relationships with staff and this has enabled them to discuss personal issues and

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

concerns. They are appropriately supported in maintaining regular contact with members of their family and are helped to understand the particular circumstances that brought them into care.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have high expectations of the young person and there is an expectation that they will adhere to the homes consistently applied behavioural boundaries. Staff closely monitor the behaviours and moods of the young person and identify antecedents and possible triggers surrounding all significant incidents. Praise and encouragement is successfully used to reinforce positive behaviour and de-escalate 6 of 9 challenging situations. Physical interventions are only ever used if it is felt the young person is putting themselves or others at risk. The incidence of physical interventions has continued to decrease since the last inspection.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is a detached building that is listed due to its architectural merits. As a building of character it contains many interesting features. The home is set within its own grounds, has a large enclosed garden to the rear and off-road parking to the side. The building was observed to be structurally sound and in good decorative order. Work in the back garden, which is being undertaken as a project with the current resident, has stalled in recent weeks. Unfortunately this has allowed the grass to get out of control. The manager confirmed that the young person and staff will be returning to complete the project shortly.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have created a homely environment that is well maintained and suitable to the specific needs of the young person. The young person's accommodation is good and includes a bedroom and separate bathroom. Communal areas are comfortably furnished and contribute to the buildings homely character. The young person said they, 'liked the home' and appreciated having their, 'own personal space that is respected by staff'. The young person contributes to the daily running of the home by keeping their bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy and assisting staff with domestic chores. The acquisition of domestic skills is helping them prepare for a more independent lifestyle.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home operates with a stable staff team, the majority of who, have worked with the young person since their admission and as a consequence are extremely conversant with their specific care needs. The young person was observed to be relaxed in the surroundings and at ease in the company of staff on duty. Social interaction was spontaneous and discussions were punctuated with much playful banter. It was clear that the young person was enjoying and responding positively to the care and attention they were receiving from staff.

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Quality of care outstanding

Being a single placement facility, staff are clearly aware of the potential danger of the young person becoming socially isolated. Staff have, in the recent past, experienced difficulty in motivating the young person into engaging in social and recreational activities. However, they have been extremely resourceful in identifying a range of stimulating activities in both the home and local community that the young person will now engage in. The young person has developed a particular interest in local auctions and car boot sales. Staff use the young person's participation in such activities as practical opportunities to develop their social and financial skills. The location of the home, close to large tracts of accessible land, makes walking a popular activity. Water based activities, such as fishing, are also accessed in the surrounding area. All activities are risk assessed and appropriately staffed.

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Quality of care outstanding

Participation in such activities has enabled the young person to interact with a wide range of people in different social situations. Such interaction has broadened their social horizons and enhanced their self-confidence. 7 of 9

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home provides a safe and nurturing environment in which the young person can grow and develop. Safeguarding underpins all of the homes policies, procedures and working practices. Staff are clearly aware of the vulnerabilities of the young person in their care, the potential risks associated with their behaviour and their level of understanding. Staff are not risk averse and learning opportunities are provided, in both the home and local community. Staff have been successful in helping the young person understand and manage the potential risks associated with their behaviour in a range of environments and social situations.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Regular training allows staff to keep abreast of new developments within the safeguarding field. Recent training has raised awareness among staff of issues relating to e-safety and the potential dangers associated with social media. Staff liaise effectively with external agencies and the young person's placing authority in order to ensure safeguarding information is appropriately shared. The young person is kept safe and secure within the home and access from external entry is limited. All visitors have to report to staff, provide identity and sign in. Appropriate staffing levels and effective advice has impacted significantly on the frequency of the young person going missing. Such incidents are now extremely rare.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home operates with a stable and experienced staff team all of whom have been recruited via a rigorous recruitment and selection process that has determined their fitness to work with extremely vulnerable young people. All new staff have to complete a detailed induction programme that includes specific training on safeguarding. Staff are aware of their individual responsibilities in regard to the reporting of any safeguarding worries or concerns. The young person said they felt safe within the home and would have no difficulty in raising worries or concerns. The home has a rigorous complaints process. All concerns and complaints are recorded passed to the manager, investigated and the resolution recorded alongside the young person’s comments. All complaints are forwarded to the company's complaints manager and a written response provided to the young person.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home is effectively managed by a newly Registered Manager who has previous experience of working in the home in a senior capacity. He has worked with the current resident since their arrival at the home and has established an excellent relationship with them. The home is subject to appropriate on-going monitoring by the manager and monthly regulatory visits by an experienced company representative. Evidence indicates any issues identified through monitoring systems and visits are addressed within appropriate timescales. Appropriate staffing levels have enabled staff to develop meaningful relationships with the young person.

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Leadership and management outstanding

There is a culture of training and professional development within the home and staff 8 of 9 regularly access a range of training. Staff are well supported and regular supervision provides opportunities for individuals to reflect on their practice and identify any specific training needs. Good communication between staff operating on different shifts and regular staff meetings help achieve consistency in the delivery of care. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and have access to a comprehensive range of policies and procedures.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Staff regularly seek the views of the young person on all aspects of their life within the home and in planning for their future. The homes comprehensive placement planning process incorporates the views and opinions of all those working with the young person, including teachers and therapists. The young person's placement plan is subject to regular review and is updated in response to changing circumstances and significant events. The progress the young person is making is reflected in regular reports that are shared with their placing authority. All confidential information relating to the young person is stored in appropriately locked facilities.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home's Statement of Purpose is subject to regular review and accurately reflects the nature of the care currently being offered.

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Leadership and management outstanding

There were no recommendations or actions arising from the last inspection. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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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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