Children's Home run by Teen-Works Care Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC423460 Inspector Elaine Allison Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Teen-Works Care Limited Registered person address 42 Eshe Road North LIVERPOOL L23 8UF

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Responsible individual Kathryn Elizabeth Anne Gordon Registered manager Claire Pickard Date of last inspection 26/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 21/07/2014

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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

Young people make good progress at the home. There is individualised support that helps them develop trusting relationships with staff. A parent said, 'I can see a huge difference in (young person’s) behaviour, it’s much calmer and she has been helped by the great staff team to manage the anger'.

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Overall effectiveness

There is an open and honest culture in the home and young people's views influence decision making. There has been some risk taking behaviour by young people recently that has compromised their safety. However, the vigorous safeguarding approach to these incidents by management has ensured that young people are protected from harm, have their safety promoted and do feel safe. Young people know staff members are consistently concerned about their welfare.

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Overall effectiveness

Observation of staff and young people during the inspection evidences that there are good positive relationships between them and a genuine emotional connection. This provides a secure base for young people to develop resilience and healthy attachments.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff work well together and use the diverse attributes and skills they have to complement each other. This in turn allows them to offer good support to the children and young people. Although staff are all trained in the use of physical 3 of 11 intervention, it has not been necessary to intervene with young people in this way. Sanctions are fair and proportionate.

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Overall effectiveness

The service, where appropriate, encourages family members and friends to visit the home and to join young people for group or individual meals. This creates a feeling of an open and transparent culture within the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from the systems that are in place which allow for excellent communication between staff, their training and supervision. These systems, and a strong, professional ethos, all contribute toward the consistent care and support of the young people.

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Overall effectiveness

As a result of this inspection three requirements are made to produce an updated Statement of Purpose to reflect the amendments to the regulations from 1 April 2014, to provide training for staff on the administration of medication and to ensure more evaluative Regulation 33 external monitoring reports are produced. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This private children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2014 Interim good progress 16/12/2013 Full good 04/03/2013 Interim good progress 05/07/2012 Full outstanding

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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

5 (2001) keep under review and revise the statement of purpose and children's guide and notify Ofsted of any such revision within 28 days; in particular to reflect the amendments to the regulations from 1 April 2014 (Regulation 5 (a) & (b )) 01/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure there are suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received in the children’s home and any medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed. This relates to staff receiving appropriate training on the administration of medication. (Regulation 21(1)&(2)(b). 01/09/2014 5 of 11 (2001) provide a copy of the independent person’s report which is evaluative. (Regulation 33 (10) (a) 01/09/2014 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make significant progress while living at the home. They benefit from consistent care which enables them to reflect on their pasts and to develop positive coping and social skills. Young people feel valued and see the home as a stable and long term part of their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from positive relationships, with a committed staff team, who are enthusiastic about their potential. Through this, young people develop an understanding of their needs and what they need to do to reach their goals. They are fully involved in setting their goals which means that they are motivated toward achievement.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit greatly from living in a home where the value of education is promoted and encouraged. All have improved their attendance at school and college and have achieved success while there. They particularly enjoy sensitive and well thought out support at their education placements. For example, members of staff will stay close to their school or college throughout the day and be available for support immediately if a young person or the educational placement requests it. A parent commented, ‘I know that she wouldn’t have sat her GCSE’s without the support and encouragement of all the staff’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people feel listened to and respected. They enjoy living in a home where their opinions are valued and promoted. ‘We get a fair say on everything that happens in the house’ was a comment made by a young person. Additionally, young people have access to independent visitors and advocates to whom they can speak if they wish. Young people are able to influence choices with regards to outings, activities, menus and décor and are able to meet the home's manager on a regular basis to give their views on their care. Where appropriate to do so, young people maintain close contact with their families. This further ensures that young people develop emotional resilience, knowledge and understanding of their backgrounds. A parent commented, ‘It has been difficult to visit because of the distance but the home are great and bring (young person) here.’ Young people have mobile telephones as well as access to the

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Outcomes for children and young people good

home's landline. This means they can easily keep in contact with those that are important to them.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Each young person has an individual care plan which identifies what they need to do to develop their life and independence skills. The plans offer structure and goals for young people to achieve. Young people develop these plans with members of staff and sign them to confirm their ownership of them. As a result of this approach, young people develop their skills and knowledge to a very good degree, especially when bearing in mind their starting points. There are very constructive and positive relationships between the members of staff and the young people. This is enabled by 7 of 11 the members of staff having clear boundaries and consistent routines in addition to ensuring that the young people feel genuinely cared for.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are encouraged to voice their opinions and feelings in a number of ways: for example, in daily interaction with members of staff and meetings with key workers and with the Registered Manager and her deputy. This ensures that young people's voices and opinions are valued and embedded into the ethos of the home. This approach also ensures that young people are able to complain about any issues and that they have faith that their views will be respected and treated seriously.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people engage in a variety of activities and try different challenges. Risk assessments are completed that enable reasonable risks whilst still providing new experiences for young people. A young person commented ‘I went to a posh apartment in London and saw a show when I was there’. A parent commented, ‘She has experienced lots of things while she has been there that she wouldn’t have, like theatre shows and concerts.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have their health needs met to a very good standard. Members of staff conscientiously ensure that any appointments are made with relevant health professionals such as opticians, dentists or drugs advisory staff. They ensure that young people's emotional stability and psychological well-being is given a high priority.

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Quality of care good

Young people are encouraged to develop their emotional well-being because they benefit from regular, high quality discussions with their key workers. As a result, they form strong attachments to the staff team and are able to discuss a range of feelings, worries and concerns. Detailed records of key working discussions are held securely in the home. This ensures that the staff work consistently and know of any matters that may affect the progress that young people make. A young person said, ‘The staff are great and I get on with all of them’.

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Quality of care good

Staff liaise effectively with education professionals to identify appropriate school placements for young people. A parent commented, ‘They have worked hard to get the right school and young person is much happier now and going to school fulltime’.

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Quality of care good

There are regular staff meetings. Staff consider these as important both in terms of allowing for better communication and for information sharing, ensuring continuity of care for the young people. Staff describe a supportive culture which results in a high level of consistency in their delivery of care for young people.

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Quality of care good

Staff are highly motivated and enthusiastic about their work. They obtain a great deal of satisfaction from their employment at the home. A placing social worker commented, 'The staff team are very professional and willing to go that extra mile’. A 8 of 11 parent commented, ’The staff have been nothing but helpful and have done a tremendous job; it’s more than just a job to them’.

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Quality of care good

Staff manage any negative and anti-social behaviour well, using planned individual strategies which are agreed with the young people. This avoids the need for physical intervention. This contributes significantly to the homely atmosphere and good relationships between staff and young people. A young person commented, ‘The staff know that if I get into a mood they just need to let me go to my room and I will come out of it on my own’.

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Quality of care good

The home is well placed, within walking distance of the centre of the town where there are shops and other facilities. The home is spacious and recent photos of the young people are used to personalise the environment. Outside there are large garden for games and outdoor dining. The home is beautifully maintained and young people take care of their environment which ensures the home remains welcoming and safe for young people. There is a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere which helps young people be themselves and contributes to their general sense of well-being.

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Quality of care good

The manager and staff want young people to succeed and try to engage them even when the young people are not willing to interact positively. They act as positive role models and encourage young people to do well putting their well-being at the centre of practice. This includes providing young people with access to a full range of professional health services. Young people are consistently reminded of the importance of attending all appointments and are given practical assistance to attend.

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Quality of care good

Not all members of staff have received up to date training in medication. They do know what to do to prevent any mistakes in the administration of medication, but their knowledge is not underpinned by formal training in this area to avoid the risk of maladministration of medication.

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Quality of care good

Placement plans receive regular consideration, review and updates. Young people also demonstrate a full awareness and understanding of their risk assessments and how staff will support them with any concerning or unsafe behaviours.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people report that they are safe living in the home. 'I am definitely safe living here' was a comment made by a young person. All members of staff have received training and have guidance to follow in child protection matters. This ensures the staff have the awareness and knowledge to promote young people's safety and to notify the correct agencies and individuals if they do have concerns.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff have a very good knowledge of each young person's vulnerabilities and care plans ensure that there are clear strategies to follow, combined with regularly 9 of 11 updated risk assessments, to ensure that the young people are guided and supported to be safe.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There are clear individual protocols in place for staff to follow in the event that young people are missing from the home or absent without permission. Young people, their parents and placing authorities are very clear that these strategies have ensured such incidents have significantly reduced.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Positive behaviour is encouraged and rewarded. Very good relationships between young people and the staff have ensured that there is mutual trust and respect. The imposition of sanctions is rare and there have been no incidents of restraint in the home since the last inspection.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All members of staff are subject to a thorough recruitment process which ensures that all necessary background checks are carried out before they commence employment. This ensures that only adults with appropriate histories and behaviours are employed at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home is well maintained and very comfortable. All necessary checks are in place to ensure that the home is a safe environment. This includes checks of firefighting equipment and alarm systems, as well as boilers and electrical appliances. All young people know what to do in the event of a fire and regular drills ensure that this knowledge is embedded in practice. Consequently, children and young people live and are cared for in a safe environment.

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Leadership and management good

The home has a strong Registered Manager who has been in post since 2009. She is suitably experienced and qualified to undertaken the responsibilities of the post and holds the Level 4 Diploma.

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Leadership and management good

Young people live in a home that is effectively managed in their best interests. The manager and staff clearly have a strong commitment to delivering exceptionally good childcare practice tailored to the personal needs of the young people they look after. The effectiveness of this approach was evident in the very good progress young people have made.

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Leadership and management good

The home has sufficient staff to provide very good care and supervision for the young people. All new members of staff undergo an induction and probationary period to ensure they have the skills and competencies to work effectively. Additionally, with the exception of training related to administration of medication, staff undergo regular training and supervision. This ensures they are up to date with good working practice and have the knowledge needed to work with the young people in their care. 10 of 11 Management and staff demonstrated, through discussions and within records that regular checks are carried out across different aspects of the care being provided at the home. The Registered Manager maintains a good overview of records and incorporates young people’s views into the planning for the future of the home. However, she has not taken into consideration recent changes to legislation relating

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Leadership and management good

to children's homes. Specifically the Statement of Purpose for the home has not been amended to reflect recent changes. This has minimal impact on young people.

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Leadership and management good

External monitoring of the home is undertaken by an independent person, however the reports produced as a result of these visits are not sufficiently evaluative, do not consider outcomes for young people and do not contribute in the home’s development plan.

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Leadership and management good

Staff have a wide range of skills, which they use to provide opportunities for young people to extend their experiences, develop new skills and acquire knowledge which will be of value in their adult life. Staff value their supervision and the supportive teamwork, which provide them with good opportunities for learning and reflective practice. Staff access to continuous advice and guidance benefits young people who are looked after by a competent staff team able to fulfil their roles.

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Leadership and management good

Staff say there is a supportive culture which results in a high level of consistency in their delivery of care for young people. A staff member commented, ‘The manager is very supportive; she constantly thanks and praises us for work well done’. Regular meetings between managers in the home and young people ensure that an open and honest dialogue is maintained and young people have the opportunity to share their feelings about the care they are receiving.

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Leadership and management good

All records are stored securely and are checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are up to date and provide a clear and accurate history of each young person's time at the home.

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Leadership and management good

Any significant events are reported promptly to all relevant agencies to ensure that the home's practice is accountable and that they are promoting young people's well- being. 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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