Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC390785 Inspector Stephen Collett Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person My Choice Children's Homes Limited Registered person address My Choice Childrens Homes Ltd, Unit 3/A Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road HAYWARDS HEATH West Sussex RH16 1XQ Responsible individual Peter Christopher Kazmarski Registered manager POST VACANT / Kenneth Michael Bedwell Date of last inspection 08/01/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 11/09/2014

p.1

Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

Overall effectiveness good

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

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This children's home is owned by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation to three young people of either sex who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The organisation also provides on-site education through its independent school which is DfE registered.

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 22/05/2013 Full adequate 07/01/2013 Interim good progress 22/05/2012 Full good

p.3

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.

p.3

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there, specifically in relation to the content of risk assessments and how actions are implemented in practice. Regulation 11(1)(a) 30/11/2014

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take 4 of 11 account of the following recommendation(s):

p.3

Recommendations

 ensure children's views, wishes and feelings are acted upon, in the day to day running of the home, with specific regard to facilitating effective young people's meetings (NMS 1.1)  ensure children have prompt access to health professionals, including specialist resources, specifically in relation to the organisations own psychology professionals (NMS 6.4)  ensure there is a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home; in particular ensure the plan identifies actions to be taken, accountability and timescales. (NMS 15.2) 5 of 11

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people living at the home make good progress and experience improved outcomes in many aspects of their lives. The stability and sense of security the home provides enables young people to form positive attachments with care staff, leading to increased emotional resilience. Many young people are able to reflect more on their background and past experiences, and begin to address sensitive issues such as family relationships. Consequently, young people develop a more positive self-image and increased levels of confidence.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

This has a positive impact on young people's mental health and emotional well-being. Young people who have previously resorted to self-harming behaviours have developed coping strategies which enable them to avoid such responses, and reduce the risk of inflicting physical harm.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

The importance of education is recognised by young people at the home, and they have all either secured college placements or are making satisfactory progress in school. Some young people who were anticipating poor results in their examinations have achieved well, and in some cases progress has been maintained despite significant disruption in the young people's lives.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people at the home with a history of unsafe and offending behaviour have made significant progress, and have reduced their rate of offending over time. Those who have previously demonstrated high risk taking behaviours are more settled and responding well to the support they receive. Young people develop an increased ability to reflect on the danger they have previously placed themselves in, and learn alternative coping mechanisms for dealing with anger and frustration.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make some positive choices in relation to a healthy lifestyle, although they do not always follow the advice they are given on some issues. Young people eat a balanced diet and learn to cook healthy meals in accordance with their independence plans. Most young people take part in regular exercise and respond positively to the range of activities offered by the home. Some young people have sought advice from care staff in relation to sexual health and accessed external advice and support as a result.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Not all young people at the home take advantage of the support given to stop smoking, and some young people with a history of substance misuse have not fully addressed the issue. However, over time, young people who use illegal substances significantly reduce the frequency of this behaviour.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

The increased level of self-confidence amongst young people living at the home prepares them well for engaging in a range of community activities and social events. 6 of 11 Young people regularly make use of a local gym and in some cases attend after school clubs and youth clubs.

p.5

Quality of care good

The home is set in a semi-rural location, with easy access to all local amenities. There are busy main roads in the vicinity of the home, and the associated risk to young people has been assessed. Consequently young people are given advice and guidance on how to avoid accidents on the road. Young people live in a large country style house, which has been modernised and adapted. There is sufficient space and facilities in the home for young people to live comfortably in a group.

p.6

Quality of care good

There are positive, warm and supportive relationships between the staff and young people, and communication is relaxed and friendly. One young person commented that staff display a level of respect for young people that is not always seen in other homes. Staff maintain consistent and appropriate boundaries for young people, which are mostly adhered to.

p.6

Quality of care good

Young people enjoy positive peer relationships and there is a relaxed atmosphere about the home.

p.6

Quality of care good

All young people have comprehensive and individualised placement plans and behaviour management plans, which are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff are familiar with these plans and consequently young people benefit from consistency of care. Risk assessments associated with the placement and behaviour management plans, and the implementation of these, could be improved. This issue is addressed in the safeguarding section of this report.

p.6

Quality of care good

The behaviour management approach favours rewarding good behaviour, rather than imposing sanctions. Consequently, only four sanctions have been imposed since the last inspection. Young people express the view that sanctions are fair, and that they have the opportunity to comment on these when they are made. An incentive scheme is in place and young people respond positively to this, and generally try to earn rewards by avoiding negative behaviours.

p.6

Quality of care good

Each young person has regular key-work sessions where individual goals and targets are discussed. These meetings also provide young people with the opportunity to express their views on how they are being cared for. However, arrangements for the young people to express their views to the group, and for hearing the collective voice of the young people, are not effective. Weekly young people's meetings are often poorly attended, and the agenda is largely set by the staff team. Consequently, young people do not invest in this process. One young person spoken to during the inspection only had a vague recollection of what young people's meetings are, and 7 of 11 could not recall any issues that had been discussed.

p.6

Quality of care good

There is also a lack of information for young people in relation to services and resources to support young people being heard. Within the communal areas of the home there is no information on how to make a complaint, who young people can complain to, or how to access an advocacy service. A recommendation is therefore made in relation to hearing the wishes and feelings of young people.

p.7

Quality of care good

Where appropriate, young people have independence plans which include goals and targets. Activities to promote independence are time-tabled into young people's weekly routines, and progress is discussed in key-work sessions. Staff are able to identify any barriers which hinder young people's progress on their independence plans, and support young people who lose motivation. Staff make use of a key- worker's resource pack to assist them in this process.

p.7

Quality of care good

Staff take pro-active steps to ensure young people access services to address their physical, emotional and psychological health needs. Representations are made to the child and adolescent mental health service on behalf of young people, and young people are supported to attend appointments with professionals. In one case, where the young person is not currently receiving any therapeutic services, the organisations own resources have not been utilised. Consequently, the young person does not have a comprehensive needs assessment, which could enhance the potential for the young person to receive therapeutic support. A recommendation is made to address this shortfall.

p.7

Quality of care good

Young people benefit from good levels of support in relation to their education. Staff assist young people to make college applications and provide practical assistance and encouragement when young people face new challenges. Effective communication is maintained with schools, and staff access parent portals on school web sites, to monitor young people's progress and ensure they have the resources and equipment needed to engage fully in lessons. A teacher spoken to during the inspection referred to effective partnership working with care staff, in order to support a young person in school during a particularly difficult period in his life.

p.7

Quality of care good

Many creative and stimulating activities are planned with young people, although the older young people in the group are sometimes reluctant to engage in these. Despite this, staff continue to encourage these young people to participate in activities planned for the group and on a one to one basis.

p.7

Quality of care good

Staff communicate effectively with parents where it is appropriate to do so, and make significant efforts to ensure young people's contact with family is a well- planned and positive experience. Where difficulties do arise, staff provide emotional support to young people, and communicate with social workers and parents to seek resolution. 8 of 11

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Safeguarding practice at the home is generally good, although there is a shortfall in relation to the content of risk assessments and their implementation in practice.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Background information on young people, which has been made available to the home, is taken into consideration when placement plans are developed, but this is not always reflected in the associated risk assessments. In one case, information relating to the historical sexual exploitation of a young person has not resulted in a specific risk assessment on this issue.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

It was further noted that risk taking behaviour referred to in a young person's placement plan identified the need for a specific risk assessment. This assessment has not been undertaken.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Where risk assessments are in place to keep young people safe, staff do not always follow the named actions to mitigate against the risk. It was observed during the inspection that supervision levels for individual young people, as specified in their behaviour management strategies and risk assessments, were not being followed.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Although these shortfalls in safeguarding practice have not had a negative impact on young people, they have the potential to do so if not addressed. A requirement is therefore made in relation to the promotion of proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of young people.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Other aspects of safeguarding are more robust. Staff are pro-active in seeking solutions to young people going missing, and negotiate with young people, social workers and other relevant parties, so that safe arrangements can be put in place for young people to have overnight stays away from the home. When young people do go missing, staff actively search for the young person, and remain in regular telephone contact with them. Agreed multi-agency protocols are followed, and where staff are not satisfied with a particular agencies response, senior managers address the issue.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

During the inspection young people stated that staff always keep in touch with them if they go missing, and keep them informed of actions they will take to try and keep them safe. A young person said they are always made to feel welcome when they return to the home, and usually speak to staff about where they have been. Arrangements are also in place for independent return home interviews to be conducted with young people who go missing.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

As a result of these measures, young people who have a history of missing for prolonged periods, significantly reduce the frequency and length of missing episodes. Social work reports also indicate that one young person is now at less risk when missing, as a result of staff maintaining positive contact during missing episodes. 9 of 11 Young people state that they feel safe in the home, and all those spoken to could identify a member of staff they would speak to if they had concerns. Young people report that bullying does not take place, and that they get on well together.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Effective behaviour management strategies, which are consistently applied, mean the use of sanctions is minimal and there have been no restraints of young people since the last inspection.

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Safe recruitment procedures are in place and checks are undertaken to ensure unsuitable individuals are not employed in the home. All new staff engage in a comprehensive induction programme which includes mandatory training in child protection. Staff have a good understanding of the indicators which suggest a child could be at risk of sexual exploitation and the risks to young people associated with the internet and social media websites.

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The home provides a safe environment for young people. Electrical and gas appliances are regularly tested and the homes health and safety risk assessments are reviewed and updated. Fire drills and alarm tests are undertaken as required, and all young people spoken to during the inspection confirmed that they know the fire evacuation plan.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

The registered manager post has been vacant since November 2013. Since this time, the deputy manager has taken on the role of acting manager. An application from the acting manager to become the registered manager was received by Ofsted in May 2014. The organisations practice manager reported that the delay in submitting the application was due to a delay in necessary checks being completed, and this was beyond the applicant’s control. It is noted that Ofsted’s assessment process has delayed the completion of this registration at this point, and the corresponding judgement of inadequate (because the post has been vacant for longer than twenty six weeks) is not applicable.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

The manager is an experienced member of staff who has worked for the organisation for over four years. He holds the national vocational qualification level 3 in health and social care, and is studying for the level five diploma in leadership and management. The manager was not present during the inspection but the organisation's practice manager was.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

At the last inspection in January 2014 a requirement was made for the home to submit an application for registration of the manager to Ofsted, by 28th February 2014. This was not achieved for the reasons outlined above. All previous requirements and recommendations have been actioned by the home.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

There is a development plan in place for the home. Much of the content refers to 10 of 11 current practice and how this will be maintained, and contains few targets for the forthcoming year. Some targets have been added in hand writing, but no timescales for achieving these are given, and actions do not have named responsible individuals for progressing them. In addition, some of the content of the plan has been copied from development plans pertaining to other homes within the organisation, and is not relevant. A recommendation is therefore made in respect of the development plan.

p.9

Leadership and management adequate

There is a clear and comprehensive statement of purpose for the home, and the service delivered reflects this. Placing authorities and young people are therefore clear about the aims and objectives of the home, and young people know how they will be cared for. The young people's guide is informative and easy to read, ensuring that when young people are admitted to the home they are clear about the expectations placed upon them, and what they can expect from staff.

p.10

Leadership and management adequate

Leaders and managers demonstrate a commitment to providing a good service and meeting the needs of the young people. They are positive role models for the staff team, who feel well supported. Staff supervision takes place regularly and annual appraisals are in place. These set goals and targets for individual professional development and identify training needs. The organisation has a comprehensive training programme in place, and the manager monitors attendance at mandatory training. Since the last inspection three members of staff have left the home, and three have transferred within the organisation. Leaders and managers acknowledge that staff retention could be improved, and are taking action to identify common causes for resignations, so the issue can be addressed.

p.10

Leadership and management adequate

The organisation has introduced new arrangements for regulation 33 visits, and the practice manager reports the arrangements are in the 'settling in' period. The quality of regulation 33 reports is good, but they do indicate that young people are not always spoken to by the visitor. The practice manager has identified this as an area for improvement and has plans to address the issue.

p.10

Leadership and management adequate

Health and safety requirements are fully met. Regular reviews of the home's health and safety risk assessments ensure a safe environment is maintained for the young people. Although the home is generally well maintained, the communal areas could be made more homely. There are currently no photographs and few pictures around the home, and some soft furnishings and curtains are not in place. This weakness has been noted by the practice manager and is being addressed.

p.10

Leadership and management adequate

Good working relationships are maintained with external agencies, and a teacher spoken to during the inspection stated that communication with both the manager and young person's key-worker is positive and beneficial for the young person. The manager ensures regular communication takes place between the home and placing authorities, and that all required documentation is received. Young people's records are kept up to date, and are securely stored within the home. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.10

Leadership and management adequate

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.11

Judgement Description

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

p.11

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.11

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.

p.11

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.

p.11