Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC064735 Inspector Jackie Line Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Lancashire County Council Registered person address PO Box 78 County Hall Fishergate Preston PR1 8XJ Responsible individual Brendan Francis Lee Registered manager POST VACANT / Alan John Hornby Date of last inspection 06/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 24/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

The home accommodates young people at different stages of their journey. The home is very responsive to the individual and often complex needs of young people. The staff team are experienced, highly committed and work well together to support young people. As a result, young people make good progress, based on their starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides a supportive and caring environment where young people develop and maintain excellent relationships with staff. Staff are enthusiastic about providing young people with positive experiences. Consequently, young people have the opportunity to engage in different activities and learn new skills. Staff provide high levels of support and guidance to young people who are preparing for independent living. As a result, young people successfully make this transition.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people living in this home say they feel safe and happy. There are clear expectations in terms of behaviour and any challenging and unsafe behaviour is managed consistently and safely. This ensures young people’s welfare is promoted.

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Overall effectiveness

The service works closely with young people’s families, as well as other professionals in health and education. All speak highly of the home’s communication with them and the level of support offered to young people, to help them achieve. Education 3 of 10 and health needs of each young person are clearly identified, and measures are in place to address these.

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Overall effectiveness

Four recommendations have been identified as a result of this inspection 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This children's residential unit is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to six young people of either sex aged from 12 to 17 years. The home cares for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The unit can take emergency placements.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2014 Interim good progress 24/10/2013 Full outstanding 15/03/2013 Interim good progress 10/01/2013 Full outstanding

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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 there is an emergency escape plan that all the staff and children are familiar with and in particular, have practiced so that they know what to do in emergency (NMS 10.9)  ensure the child receives the children’s guide at the point of placement and th the content of the children’s guide is explained to the child in a way that is accessible (NMS 13.4)  ensure there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling activities of the home, specifically in relation to the independence of the perso carrying out visits under regulation 33 (NMS 21.1)  ensure the result of all reviews of Placement Plans are recorded on the child’s file, specifically that updates are recorded in a timely manner (NMS 25.8). 5 of 10 6 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress in all aspects of their development. A social worker said about one young person: ‘Due to the slow and steady progress that they are making since being placed there, they are attending school, their missing from home episodes are few and far between, and language and behaviour have improved dramatically’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people share positive relationships with staff. As a result they feel cared for, and understand that staff are there to help and support them. One young person said: ‘My life has improved since I came to live here and there are people I can talk to’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Contact arrangements are complex and staff work flexibly to support and facilitate these arrangements. This ensures they maintain links with people who are important to them, and their needs are well met. Some young people have been supported to reconnect with members of their family they have not been in touch with for some time. This has achieved a positive outcome, and as a result, young people have a sense of their personal identity and belonging.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Prior to living at the home young people have experienced significant challenges in their lives and their behaviour sometimes reflects this. This has resulted in some disruption to other young people living at the home and on occasion, placement stability has been affected. Young people are able to articulate their concerns about this, and staff work hard to manage and minimise any impact on them. As a result of the care and support they receive from staff at the home, most young people continue to achieve good outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The appointment of an Education Champion has positively impacted on outcomes for young people. Excellent links have been made with a variety of agencies and consequently, young people have engaged well in alternative and mainstream education programmes. Some young people have achieved GCSE’s, and others have actively participated in vocational courses.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people learn skills appropriate to their age and development. They receive a good foundation from which they can develop their skills and prepare for independence. Young people are equipped with the skills they require to live independently. One young person said: ‘I am a bit scared about moving on but feel ready’. As a result, young people are successfully supported to make the transition to independent living. 7 of 10

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Quality of care good

A committed and enthusiastic staff team promote young people’s welfare and help them reach their potential. Staff are excellent role models, and provide appropriate guidance to young people. One young person said: ‘When I have not been okay they tell me, and what they say is fair.’ As a result, young people understand why their behaviour is not acceptable sometimes, and learn strategies to manage this more appropriately.

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Quality of care good

Staff and young people are relaxed with each other and readily enjoy each other’s company. This helps young people to build positive and trusting relationships. Young people enjoy living in the home, with one young person describing it as ‘safe and fun’. Young people identify their keyworkers as people who are important to them. Regular key worker sessions enable young people to learn about themselves, reflect on difficulties and progress, and develop independence skills.

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Quality of care good

Young people are encouraged to participate in leisure activities and benefit from a range of experiences. As a result, young people’s confidence and self-esteem improves. Achievements are celebrated, and evidence of young people’s efforts and success are visible within the home.

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Quality of care good

Education and health are high priorities for staff. Staff are aspirational for young people and individual skills are developed and nurtured. One social worker said: ‘The staff encouraged him and motivated him, which is what he needed’. Consequently, young people’s attendance and attainment improves, and their health needs are addressed.

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Quality of care good

All young people benefit from individualised placement plans that provide a clear picture of their needs. Staff are familiar with the systems in place and plans are subject to review and update. Information is not always updated in a timely manner, leading to inaccuracies contained in one young person’s placement plan. However, this has not impacted directly on their care. Young people participate in their reviews and all understand and contribute to their care planning. One young person says: ‘I feel that my placement plan is fine, no need for any changes now’.

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Quality of care good

Effective communication with partner agencies is a key strength of the home’s function. One parent said: ‘I am kept up to date and like knowing what is going on, I am confident the staff do their best’. A social worker reported ‘excellent communication, staff listen and follow advice, and this is the best home he has had’. This collaboration demonstrates that people are working together to safeguard and promote young people’s well-being.

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Quality of care good

Young people say they talk to staff if they have concerns. Information is available in the home and is contained in a written guide covering complaints with information, guidance and contact details of agencies such as Ofsted and Children’s Rights. However, young people report that they do not always receive the guide on 8 of 10 admission to home. As a result, not all young people know how to raise concerns with people independent of the home, should they need to.

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Quality of care good

The home is maintained to a good standard and is warm and welcoming for young people and visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed and calm and young people certainly feel at home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people say they feel safe and they are aware that staff have their best interests at heart. One young person said he has ‘never been looked after better than he is being looked after’ at the home. Staff are diligent and fully understand their role and responsibilities to promote young people’s welfare. A parent comments they are, ‘happy that people are now able to keep my daughter safe.’ Allegations and complaints are rare. However, robust procedures are in place so when incidents do occur they are handled fairly and quickly.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are protected through a range of risk assessments identifying hazards in and away from the home. Safety checks ensuring young people live in the home are regularly undertaken. Young people and staff are supported to understand what to do in the event of a fire in the home, and can explain the procedure to follow. However, one staff member and one young person have not participated in a fire evacuation drill. As a result, the home cannot fully demonstrate that all young people and staff know the action to take in the event of an emergency.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Due to their history and background, some young people can place themselves at risk through their behaviour and actions. Staff are responsive and adapt quickly to meet the different needs of young people admitted to the home. The home has strong links with partnership agencies, and this collaborative and flexible approach safeguards young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people recognise that good behaviour is rewarded, and praise and rewards lessen the need for disciplinary measures. When consequences are implemented, they are proportionate and effective. As a result, young people learn to modify their behaviour and there is a reduction in incidents of challenging and destructive behaviour. One young person said: ‘I have had to pay for damage and haven’t broken anything since’.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are clear that physical intervention is used only as a last resort. Regular monitoring of behaviour management issues ensures that strategies are kept under review and adapted as required. This means, that on occasions when incidents do occur they are safely managed. Most records show young people reflect on significant incidents with staff.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home has pro-active procedures in place to address incidents where young 9 of 10 people go missing. Staff are tenacious, and work hard to establish young people’s whereabouts and ensure their safe return. An independent reviewing officer commented: ‘although I am aware he still goes missing, there are not as many episodes since being placed at the home’. A social worker attributed a reduction in missing episodes to the ‘continued dedication’ of the staff team.

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Leadership and management good

The home has an appropriately qualified and experienced manager in place. He has been working at home since February 2014. At the end of the inspection process a fit person interview took place to assess his suitability to become the registered manager of the home. The outcome of the interview is that a recommendation to register the manager has been forwarded to senior managers in Ofsted for a decision. No recommendations or requirements were made at the last inspection.

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Leadership and management good

The manager is supported by two assistant managers who demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment. This has enabled the smooth integration of the new manager to the team over recent months. As a result, this has provided stability and continuity for young people and for the staff team. In essence, there is a robust management team in place, with experience of providing high quality care to young people. This promotes the physical and emotional well-being of young people and enables them to make good progress.

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Leadership and management good

Staff confirm they are well supported to carry out their roles and responsibilities. Formal staff supervision and appraisals take place consistently. New staff report they receive a good induction to the home. This gives them confidence in understanding and managing the needs of young people. The home demonstrates a strong commitment to training. This ensures staff keep up to date with new legislation and practice developments, as well as refreshing knowledge and basic skills. Staffing levels in the home are excellent. As a result, young people are able to participate in activities of their choice and can have their individual needs met.

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Leadership and management good

There are systems in place to monitor the performance of the home. Monthly and quarterly audits undertaken ensure the quality assurance and evaluation of all areas of the home’s performance. This enables the manager to effectively identify and address areas for development. At the time of the inspection, the external monitoring of the home is not conducted by a sufficiently independent person. A different arrangement is being proposed and will be implemented imminently.

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Leadership and management good

The manager notifies Ofsted and other relevant bodies of significant events that occur within the home or with young people. This ensures that those with an interest in the young people’s welfare are kept appropriately informed of such events. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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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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