Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC400880 Inspector Louise Redfern Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager POST VACANT / Ian Peter Banks Date of last inspection 21/01/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 21/08/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory 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 adequate

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are settling well in their placements; they are building trusting relationships with staff and as a result, feel they are well cared for and safe in and around the home. One young person commented ‘I would give it 10 out of 10 here. I live like a king, the staff are all great and I feel safe.’

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Overall effectiveness

Young people develop strong community links in the local area, while maintaining a clear attachment to their family and community. Young people are making good progress in reducing their risk taking behaviour as a result there has been a significant reduction in the number of missing from home episodes.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive well-planned care, taking into account their individual needs. The home promotes positive outcomes for all young people. However, a recommendation has been raised to improve engagement in education. Young people are encouraged and supported to understand the importance of maintaining good health. There are good links with other specialist agencies that provide useful advice and guidance to staff and young people about the dangers associated with some lifestyle choices. The staff work closely with other services to meet the range of young people's needs.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people’s social workers and parents commented on the home’s efficiency, 3 of 10 good communication skills and the staff team being proactive in engaging young people in the placement to keep them safe.

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Overall effectiveness

Areas for the home's development include ensuring that all young people attend school, verification of references are completed, all staff complete the children’s workforce development council induction standards, statement of special educational needs are held on young people’s files, the outcome of all statutory reviews are available and visits completed by the independent person include record checks. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children's home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 11/09/2013 Full adequate 21/03/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 07/08/2012 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 the registered person shall maintain a copy of any statement of special educational need. (Regulation 28 (1) schedule 3 (12) 19/09/2014

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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 all young people are supported to attend school college or alternative provision regular (NMS 8.3) 5 of 10  ensure references are checked to assess suitability and ensure telephone enquiries are made to verify reference provided (NMS 16.1)  ensure that all staff undertake the Children’s Workforce Development Councils induction standards commencing within 7 working days of starting their employment (NMS 18.3)  ensure that visits carried out under Regulation 33 include relevant checks set out in regulation and guidance (NMS 21.7)  ensure that the result of all statutory reviews and placement plans are recorded on the child’s file and individuals responsible for pursuing actions at the home arising from the reviews are clearly identified. (NMS 25.8) 6 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Given their starting points on admission to the home, young people enjoy good outcomes. Some young people's educational attendance and achievement is good. However, one young person has experienced a significant delay in an educational placement being identified. This is currently being addressed by the staff team and the placing authority.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff use their knowledge and understanding of young people to build effective relationships with young people. They are able to identify trigger points and effectively manage behaviour. They communicate well with young people and avoid escalation of poor behaviour by following individualised behaviour management plans, discussion and good humour.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy healthy lifestyles by engaging in positive activities, such as swimming and walking in the local community. Young people's health care needs are well met. Young people attend regular routine health care appointments. They have good information and access to external support agencies with regard to anti-smoking and drug and alcohol awareness. Young people have shown a clear reduction in risk taking behaviour, including giving up smoking. This supports young people to establish sound health care routines.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy regular contact with their family and are encouraged to develop age appropriate friendships in the locality of the home. Young people said they are pleased with these arrangements. A social worker commented, ‘X family links are being well maintained by the staff team, supporting mum to visit the home.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Preparation for independence is managed at a pace suited to young people's needs, age and understanding. This includes helping young people to think about the impact of their choices and decisions as well as gaining practical skills.

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Quality of care good

Young people say they like the staff team and comment, ‘I feel happy here, it’s definitely outstanding, the staff really care about us and go above and beyond.’ Young people develop good relationships with staff. Young people go on holidays with the staff team, which develops and promotes positive relationships.

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Quality of care good

Statutory review meetings are appropriately timed and enable young people to give their views about their placement and care at the home. However, the outcomes of these reviews are not always recorded and available for staff to action with the 7 of 10 young people.

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Quality of care good

Despite no complaints being received since the last inspection, young people have a clear understanding of the procedure. They report ‘I know how to complain but I don’t need to, everything is good.’

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Quality of care good

Staff understand young people's local authority placement plans and are keen to ensure their needs are met in the home. Young people's internal placement plans are individualised, which help them to develop positive routines and behaviour. One young person commented ‘I have my incentives which help me and I think they are definitely helping me to be good.’ Proactive relationships with partner agencies contribute to the quality of care received by young people. One professional commented ‘although X has only been here a short time I can see real progress.’

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Quality of care good

Staff consistently challenge barriers to ensure the full participation of young people in education. As a result, young people with a school placement are engaged in their individual educational placements.

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Quality of care good

The home is comfortably furnished and has homely touches throughout. Young people choose their bedroom decoration and have input into the furnishings in the home. Staff support young people to take part in different leisure pursuits and interests. Young people particularly enjoy visits to the cinema, maintaining positive friendships, youth clubs and walking in the local area.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people report that they feel safe and can talk to an adult when they are concerned. Young people say bullying does not happen in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are encouraged to behave positively in the home, through the clear and consistent boundaries that are set. As a result, only one incident of physical restraint has occurred. On the rare occasions they engage in negative behaviour, measures of control are imposed and young people are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour. The manager comments on the effectiveness of the sanctions, in order to evaluate if the consequence remains appropriate.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There have been no allegations or suspicions of harm but staff are very clear about their responsibilities and place the safety and well-being of the young people at the centre of their work practice.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are selected and checked through the organisation's recruitment procedure. Ensuring the safe recruitment of staff, who are able to meet the young people’s needs. However, one reference had not been verified. The risks posed to young people as a result of this shortfall were minimised, due to other checks being completed. However, the Registered Individual took steps to rectify this at inspection. 8 of 10 Young people live in a physically safe environment. They are well protected by a range of detailed health and safety procedures, risk assessments and routine maintenance and fire checks. Fire drills are regularly undertaken and recorded.

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Leadership and management adequate

Since the last inspection there has been a change of manager, the previous Registered Manager left the home in April 2014. The newly appointed manager has made an application to register with Ofsted, within timescales. No requirements or recommendations were raised at the previous inspection.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people, their families and social workers are clear about and complimentary of the services and support the home provides. The home meets the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose. Child-friendly information is available in the children's guide.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people are looked after by an adequate number of competent staff. The arrangements for staff induction and probation are clearly defined. However, there has been a delay in new staff undertaking the CWDC induction standards. This has not impacted on young people, due to the in-house induction of new staff and their individual experience. Staff qualification levels are adequate with a number of staff being at various stages of acquiring a level three childcare qualification. Staff training is closely monitored to ensure all staff are up to date with mandatory training including safeguarding, first aid and behaviour management. This ensures staff are equipped to meet young people's.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people benefit from being cared for by a staff team who themselves are supported in their work. Professional supervision, staff appraisals and staff meetings take place regularly. They provide opportunities for staff to develop strategies for working with young people and promote consistency.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager and staff have good working relationships with key professionals in other agencies. Social work professionals comment positively on the frequent and good quality exchange and update of information. The home has a good relationship with the local community; this is under pinned with links with the local neighbourhood policing team.

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Leadership and management adequate

Regular independent visits take place, young people have the opportunity to meet and share their views with the visitor. However, reports do not show that relevant checks are being completed as part of the visit. This is a missed opportunity for the manager to drive forward the quality of care in the home.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records are well maintained in the home. Young people have a clear understanding of the records kept and regularly contribute to records. However, not all relevant 9 of 10 information is held on file, one young person’s statement of educational need was not available. This means that staff are unable to ensure individual educational needs are being met. 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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