Children's Home run by Bristol City Council in Bristol

Unique reference number SC034184 Inspector Clare Davies Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Bristol City Council Registered person address The Council House College Green BRISTOL BS1 5TR Responsible individual Karen Mary Gazzard Registered manager Wendy Ann King Date of last inspection 02/06/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 24/07/2014

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Previous inspection inadequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

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

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection was undertaken following an inadequate judgement at the last full inspection in June. The home has improved and is now in a position to provide a safer and more caring environment for young people. The manager and staff team have reviewed many areas of practice. These changes enable them to better support young people in making progress and securing positive outcomes.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are engaging with activities, the development of the home and support from specialist workers. Relationships between young people and the staff are strengthening as they settle into their relatively new placements. Generally, young people are satisfied with this placement and know that the staff are concerned for their safety and welfare. Young people feel safe at this home, even though at times they choose to put themselves at risk by staying out overnight. Such incidents are reducing in frequency as young people begin to respond to the boundaries imposed.

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Overall effectiveness

The manager now has a greater understanding of the strengths of this home and areas for development. The staff team feel empowered to do their job within the framework as provided by the regulations and revised policies and procedures. The shortfalls identified in this inspection relate to the quality of record keeping, the need to liaise with the independent reviewing officers and the promotion of 3 of 11 consistency amongst the staff team. There are no breaches of regulation, a period of stability to build upon these foundations is required to secure further improvement. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of children's homes operated by a local authority. The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The purpose of the home is to support young people with independent living following an assessment of independent skills.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/06/2014 Full inadequate 04/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 15/10/2013 Full adequate 30/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 children understand how their views have been taken into accoun and where significant wishes or concerns are not acted upon, they are helped understand why. For example, ensure that the minutes of meetings held with young people include a response to the issues raised at the previous meeting (NMS 1.2)  ensure the views of the child, the child's family, social worker and IRO are sou regularly on the child's care, specifically regarding contact with independent reviewing officers outside of statutory meetings (NMS 1.4)  ensure children receive personalised care that promotes all aspects of their individual identity and are each treated as an individual rather then a member a group. In particular, ensure that the placement plan details how this home w promote the cultural needs and personal identity of each child (NMS 2.1) 5 of 11  ensure that sanctions and rewards for behaviour are clear, reasonable and fair

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Recommendations

and are understood by all staff and children. In particular, have a clear record of any reward (NMS 3.8)  ensure that all staff's work is consistent with these Regulations and National Minimum Standards, the homes' policies and procedures (NMS 21.3)  ensure entries in records are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatising and distinguish as far as possible between fact, opinion and third party information, specifically regarding legibility. (NMS 22.4) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people have experienced some changes since the last inspection, most significantly tighter boundaries and a more consistent response from the staff team. There has been some challenge to these changes but generally young people are responding well and consequently have improved outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are offered an incentive to encourage them to come in at a reasonable time each evening and to attend all their appointments. Mostly, this is working well and in turn as young people spend more time in the home some positive and trusting relationships are developing with staff members. Since the last inspection, arrangements have been made for some young people to move onto alternative placements. The vacant bedrooms are ready in preparation to offer a pleasant welcome to this home.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people have made some progress as a result of the revised structure. There has not been any incidents of disruptive or anti-social behaviour. The incentive schemes have led to fewer incidents of being out late or reported as missing. Young people express satisfaction with this home and this is reflected in their increased level of engagement. The home offers a pleasant environment that is attractive and well maintained. Flower borders and a vegetable garden enhance the gardens.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people have completed college courses and formal examinations. They have been successful in securing college places for September to continue with their education. The local authority has recognised their commitment to their education and awarded certificates of achievement at an annual awards event.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people receive good health care and have access to advice from within the staff team, community resources and specialist support. To help young people keep themselves safe and avoid risk taking behaviours there are opportunities to meet with specialist workers. This provides contact with adults outside of the home, increasing young people's support network.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Consultation with young people occurs in order that they can contribute to decision making in the home. As a result of discussions a policy for visitors has been produced, colour schemes considered for the home and views sought on a revision of independence budgets. Young people are encouraged to raise suggestions for outings and activities, particularly through the summer holidays. There are plans for youth camp, circus skills, horse riding and trips to a spa amongst other ideas. These events help young people to build peer relationships and increase their integration into the community.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Contact with family and friends is recognised as important to young people. Young 7 of 11 people benefit from the arrangements that are made in order for appropriate relationships to be maintained. A parent reports that they visit the home and are made very welcome. This parent is pleased that the staff team is working well with them and that their child is safe in this placement. This collaborative working enables young people to receive consistent responses from parents and staff.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people are forming some positive relationships with the manager and staff members. Staff are committed to providing care and support to enable young people to feel safe in this placement. Social care professionals express good levels of satisfaction about the quality of care provided. Generally young people get on with each other and are tolerant of group living though some are keen to move on to be more independent.

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Quality of care adequate

Consultation has improved as regular house meetings are held and young people are currently being consulted on the proposed changes to the independence programme. Daily discussions gather the views and wishes of young people about their personal placement plans and the development of the home. Issues raised at the house meetings generally receive a response though the minutes of the following meeting do not always capture these decisions. This has the potential for confusion for young people. The manager has decided to invite young people to join in part of the staff meetings where decision making can take place together. This level of consultation is good and provides young people with the reasons as to why some requests cannot be approved.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people benefit from key work sessions. This time together focuses on current issues as well as targets and support needs as outlined in their placement plans. Young people's records are up to date and available for young people to read and contribute to. There is limited interest from the current group of young people to access their records, staff continue to promote this engagement and have the systems in place when young people want to do so. The staff team have a depth of knowledge and skills to ensure the cultural needs and personal identity of young people are valued. In practice they do this well however, placement plans lack detail as to how such needs are promoted.

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Quality of care adequate

There are sound procedures for the safe storage and administration of medication. Young people enjoy good health and in collaboration with independence skills, they are encouraged to have a balanced diet and receive guidance with their food choices. The garden project further promotes healthy eating with the choice of vegetables, salad and fruit.

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Quality of care adequate

During the summer holidays there are opportunities to attend youth camps, days out and activities. One event planned involves learning circus skills, an activity for young people and staff to experience together. Such events provide an opportunity to 8 of 11 strengthen relationships with staff and each other.

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Quality of care adequate

The home is well presented and maintained, the environment has improved in appearance since the last inspection. The impact of the flower displays and hanging baskets provides a warm welcome to this home. This display of pride is indicative of staff commitment to this home and an increase in team morale compared to the previous two months. Bedrooms are personalised with pictures and possessions, young people report that they like their bedrooms. When young people are new in placement they are supported to choose some new items for their bedrooms to create their personal space.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Many changes have been implemented in response to the last inspection. This a safer environment where young people feel safe and staff have not been subject to physical assault. There are no reports of any bullying behaviour and there have not been any incidents where it has been necessary for physical intervention. The lack of any incident reports since the last inspection is testament to this home being a calmer, safer place.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

When young people stay out late at night or go missing the staff have clear procedures to follow to ensure their safe return. The staff team have completed additional safeguarding training in relation to the risk of young people being exploited by others in the community. Staff are more proactive to encourage young people to adhere to the house rules and to be back in the home by an agreed time each night. Young people are responding to the incentives and rewards offered. For example, if they come in on time each evening and attend their appointments they can receive a financial reward for an activity at the end of the week. Young people like this support and are responding fairly well as incidents of staying out late and overnight are reducing. However, the recording system for these incentives is not clear to the staff team, providing the potential for confusion. Records need to be accurate to share with young people either to celebrate achievement or to evidence

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The manager has produced a behaviour management policy. This enables staff and young people to have clarity on the expectations around behaviour in the home. Individual behaviour plans and associated risk assessments for each young person provide details on how known risk are to be managed and minimised. Risk management meetings with key professionals provide a framework for a joined-up approach. These regular meetings assist in identifying the most appropriate support services to engage with young people who may place themselves at risk in the community. This home is building effective partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies and as a result some young people are engaging with specialist services. 9 of 11 With many revised policies and procedures the staff team need time to adopt and implement them. Team meetings have supported this, though there are a few incidents of inconsistent practice that need to be addressed. For example, young

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

people with a budget for their food are supported to manage this in preparation for living independently. The home provides up to three meals a week in addition to daily fruit and beverages. Some staff purchase other food items at young people's requests. This has the potential to undermine the response from other staff who are consistent in their approach and give mixed messages to young people who are learning to manage within a budget.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Since the last inspection young people have experienced an evacuation on hearing the fire alarm, this ensures that they know what action to take in the event of a fire. Records have improved to indicate the regular testing of fire safety equipment within the home. The organisation has consulted with staff on work place pressure and has dedicated personnel available to staff for support in this area. This consultation acknowledges the risks for residential care staff and identifies support systems within the organisation.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager has reflected on the experience of the last inspection with an inadequate judgement. There is acknowledgement of a 'steep learning curve', and she is now more confident in leading the team within the framework of the regulations. Team days and regular team meetings have provided a forum to address the many shortfalls and set about improvements through an action plan. The manager has been in post since October 2012 and is suitably experienced in residential care with a social work qualification. The manager has yet to complete formal qualifications in management.

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Leadership and management adequate

The team days provided staff with training on child sexual exploitation, health and safety, and equality and diversity. This level of input has provided staff with information that is current and required in their daily practice. Policies and procedures within the home have been revised as a result of this training and the manager is in the process of producing an equality impact assessment. Staff report that they feel more confident on what is expected of them and where to find polices and guidance. An overhaul of the filing and record system has led to smarter working and clarity for staff. 'I understand my job so much more than before', reported a member of staff.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff morale has improved and the level of staff sickness has reduced, although there are reports of feeling tired and under pressure to implement the changes in response to the poor inspection judgement. Overall, staff report that there have been many positive changes to ensure that improvements are made for young people, the staff team and the home. There are reports of the staff team 'pulling together', improving communication and ensuring there is more attention to detail within daily practice. 10 of 11 Each staff member now has an area of responsibility that has generated enthusiasm to meet the needs of the home, contributed to professional development of individuals and to the wider team. Several staff report that on reflection the experience of an inadequate judgement was initially a shock, but they can now see the benefits and consider that the home is a better place as a result.

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Leadership and management adequate

All the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met. The management team continue to work towards an action plan and recognise that it is essential to keep momentum as the service improves. The manager is keen to ensure that new systems become embedded into practice and that there is no slippage in maintaining the regulations. There is movement in the staff team as some leave and some new staff arrive. This developing staff team is an additional challenge to the successful implementation of revised policies and procedures.

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Leadership and management adequate

A significant development is that of monitoring records and practice. All staff have received supervision, including those who work regularly as casual staff. Systems are set up to monitor that key documents for young people are reviewed regularly and the manager has completed formal monitoring reports to meet the regulations. This level of scrutiny provides the manager with a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The appointment of an independent visitor to monitor the home each month is a great improvement. Together with the independent assessment and the improved monitoring by the manager, there is much greater oversight on the quality of care and the impact on young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records for young people have improved as there is more focus on the individual's record instead of that for the home. There is less detail relating to incidents in a central log book as new formats have been produced for individual young people. This system enables young people to access records easily and assists with improved monitoring. A record for staff to de-brief after each shift also contributes to monitoring the daily practice. A mixture of handwritten and electronic records are produced. Some handwritten entries are difficult to read leading them to be a poor contribution to young people's records and a barrier for young people, and staff to access.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager and staff team have good working relationships with other agencies and social care professionals. Generally there are positive comments about the communication from the manager and staff team and there are regular multi-agency meetings to discuss the safeguarding of young people. There has not always been contact with independent reviewing officers outside of statutory meetings and this is an area to improve. 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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