Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC033268 Inspector Lynn O'Driscoll Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Russell William Clement Date of last inspection 27/02/2014 2 of 13 Inspection date 09/10/2014

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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 good

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Overall effectiveness

Children's wishes and feelings are central to their day-to-day care and their futures. They enjoy sound, trusting relationships with all the staff, who provide good care and support and clear and consistent boundaries. Consequently, they feel safe, very happy and settled in this home.

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Overall effectiveness

Children benefit from individualised care which best meets their unique and highly complex needs and personal preferences. A very experienced and stable team, good staffing ratios at all times and the timely provision of a wide range of specialist services enable all the children to realise their full potential. They are, therefore, making good progress behaviourally, emotionally, socially and educationally from their individual starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff team have a very good understanding of safe working practices and have established highly effective collaborative working with all relevant agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of the children.

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Overall effectiveness

The managers and staff team are genuinely committed to providing a high standard of care and are strong and effective advocates. This ensures that the children's voices are heard and acted upon if this is in their best interests. 3 of 13 The managers and staff are all very clear about the strengths of the home and there is an appropriate development plan in place to drive continuous improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

Three requirements have arisen from this inspection. This is to ensure that: all staff have the qualifications required for their respective roles and responsibilities; the home demonstrates that children's unique identities, cultures and spiritual needs are identified and met; and, a three monthly report evaluating the quality of care provided in the home is forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. 4 of 13

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children's home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 12 children of either gender who are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This company also runs a school, registered with the department for education, within the same grounds of the children's home, where currently all the children attend.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 11/09/2013 Full adequate 12/07/2013 Full inadequate 12/02/2013 Interim good progress

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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) supply to Ofsted a three monthly monitoring report following a review of the quality of care provided in the home (Regulation 34(2)) 31/10/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) demonstrate that each child accommodated in the home is enabled to: attend the services of; receive instruction in; and observe any requirement of; the religious persuasion to which the child belongs (Regulation 19) 31/10/2014 5 of 13 (2001) ensure each member of staff working at the home has the required qualifications for their respective roles and responsibilities. (Regulation 26(b)) 21/01/2015 6 of 13

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All the children are very happy and settled at this home. They benefit from individualised care which best meets their unique needs and personal preferences. This enables them all to gradually reach their full potential. They say they trust and feel comfortable discussing any concerns with staff, knowing they will be efficiently addressed. Comments from children include, 'I'm getting on good with my house tutor. He is helping me with my independence and he is good at sorting out my contact and has got me in a football team' and, 'I love it here and my key worker and all the staff. I've had an awesome year.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The children have a genuine choice about contact arrangements with their birth families which is actively promoted and facilitated by the staff. This helps the children to understand their backgrounds and maintain their sense of identity. Comments from children include, 'I choose where my contact takes place with my dad and the member of staff who I want to come with me. Last time we went horse riding. It was brilliant' and, 'I see my family every week and it is very important to me. We have a great time together.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The children live in a clean, spacious and well-maintained home where their physical, emotional and social wellbeing is actively promoted. They really enjoy taking part in a wide range of challenging and meaningful activities and trips. These opportunities significantly increase their confidence and self-esteem. They are thrilled that the chef has got a permanent position because they all love the healthy homemade meals he prepares. They also benefit from lots of outdoor activities and regular physical exercise which keeps them fit and well. Comments from children include, 'I love the new computer and games', 'I am very active and always on the go. I love dancing, football, swimming, going on my scooter and skateboarding. The holiday was brilliant', 'I am really good at art and I like go-karting and kayaking' and, 'I now go to an all-girls football club which I really wanted to do. I like to get involved in all

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The children are currently excitedly preparing for their active involvement in a public lantern procession, dance performance and light show in the local community. Many children enjoy visiting and helping out at the local farm. These positive opportunities give them a strong sense of belonging.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All the children attend the company's school. Attendance is excellent and they are making good progress from their individual starting points. They are rightly proud of their certificates of achievements and trophies which are prominently displayed in their bedrooms.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The daily life within this home enables all children to gain age and ability appropriate 7 of 13 practical and social independence skills. This includes: taking more responsibility for their own good health and well-being; gaining the confidence to embrace community activities; and, making and sustaining positive friendships. This further strengthens their strong sense of belonging. Moreover, they are actively encouraged to be sensitive to others needs by taking part in regular fund raising and charitable events. Comments from children include, 'I choose healthy meals most of the time, run and play outside a lot, go swimming and play football, so I feel healthy. Nurse says I am now a healthy weight', 'Nobody needs to help me because I am now good at keeping myself clean and I like to always have nice squeaky clean teeth', 'I enjoy helping the chef in the kitchen. Me and another child made a chocolate cake. It was yummy', 'I

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Outcomes for children and young people good

cooked a tray bake for everybody's pudding and I won the amazing chef's certificate for making sausage rolls' and, 'I like to smell nice and wear clothes that are cool.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some significant risk taking behaviours have ceased altogether in this placement or have markedly reduced. Examples include, absconding and self-harm. None of the children offend, smoke, drink alcohol or take illicit drugs. For some, self-harm was a means of getting attention in their birth families. Now they are gaining a sense of achievement through their many talents. Examples include, dance, baseball, skateboarding, football, guitar playing, horse riding and grooming, art, climbing and gymnastics.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children placed here have had some extremely difficult past experiences but are responding well to the nurturing environment and therapy sessions. Consequently, they are demonstrably: gaining a positive self- view; making healthy attachments to adults and peers; developing an ability to show care and consideration for others; and, are building emotional resilience.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Since Summer 2010 this service has successfully reintegrated 94% of the children back to their birth families or foster care and into mainstream day schools. Recently two children who had formed a strong bond when living in this home, now live near each other and go to the same school so they have settled quickly into their new placements. Another child has moved to live near his family, which was always his heart's desire.

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Quality of care good

This service provides a nurturing environment where the children can experience a genuine sense of belonging and homeliness. This has significantly increased their self-esteem and has directly resulted in a marked reduction in challenging behaviours. One child said, 'I used to be really naughty, but now I have changed my ways to be good. I used to swear a lot which I don’t do as much now. If the other children do something silly I would laugh. I don’t do that anymore. If I do get angry I go and take five minutes peace.'

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Quality of care good

Children's wishes and feelings are taken into account in all aspects of their care and 8 of 13 positively acted upon. One child confirmed, 'I can speak to all the staff about anything and I really like the community meetings as we get to say how we would like things.' All the children know how to formally complain should the need arise and a few have exercised this right. The complaints were taken seriously and positively acted upon. This reinforces the fact that their opinions genuinely matter and are valued, which in turn increases their self-esteem and confidence.

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Quality of care good

Up-to-date placement plans clearly detail children's specific preferences in respect to their daily lives which are fully adhered to. Examples include, 'I like to be given smaller portions and then ask for more if I want it', 'I like my bedroom door shut at night but I have a night light next to my bed' and, 'It's important to me that I get my hair done when I need it and I have got the right hair products.' There is a comprehensive analysis of, and individual targets set to continuously improve their unique educational, psychological, emotional and physical needs. However, there is limited detail in respect to identifying and addressing the children's unique identities, cultures and spiritual needs. In particular, a number of children did not understand about their own religion.

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Quality of care good

A key strength of this service is the timely provision of a wide range of specialists to best meet the more specific and complex needs of the children. This children's home recently took part in an independent review of services that support children with mental ill health to develop emotional resilience. The report commends their active involvement in the local community and highlights, 'The impressive range of professional help available to children.' Examples include, chartered and educational psychologists, speech, play and art therapists, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a confidential counsellor and an independent visitor. Moreover, this service employs a qualified nurse who oversees the health needs of all the children. This ensures immunisations are up to date and regular medical checks and necessary treatment is received in a timely manner.

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Quality of care good

Parents, social workers and independent reviewing officers are all highly satisfied with the quality of care provided and the significant progress the children are making in this placement. Comments include, 'The children have formed good relationships with the staff who have helped them to understand their feelings and manage their own behaviour', 'They offer a wide variety of activities which are tailored to individual interests and strengths', 'I have seen a huge difference in our children in respect to education, speech and language, behaviour and general presentation' and, 'This is a good service especially in helping children to work through early childhood trauma.'

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Quality of care good

A full inspection of the company's school was undertaken at the same time as this inspection. The outcome was good in all areas. One parent said, 'This service has got more work out of my son in half a term than in the last three years of education. He is very happy here and his behaviour has improved. This is the first time since nursery that my child has wanted to learn.'

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Quality of care good

The links with the local primary school are particularly strong, so the children benefit 9 of 13 from sharing a wide range of new opportunities together. Children's achievements are celebrated and rewarded which increases their feelings of self-worth.

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Quality of care good

Staff offer a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities both inside the home and in the local community. Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported which serves to further increase the children's competencies and confidence.

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Quality of care good

The staff are strong and effective advocates for the children. This has ensured, for example, appropriate contact arrangements and future placements in line with the children's specific wishes and feelings. Gradual and sensitive admission and discharge processes ensure this is a positive experience for each child. Constructive contact is actively encouraged and supported in line with any personal preferences and legal directions. This includes staff frequently travelling significant distances.

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Quality of care good

This service benefits from a dedicated facilities manager who ensures a safe and well maintained building at all times. Any necessary repairs are efficiently addressed. In recent months she has overseen significant improvements to the internal décor and furnishings in the home and to the extensive grounds. The kitchen has been completely refurbished. Children like the recent improvements and the personalisation of their bedrooms. One child said, 'I really like it here and I love my bedroom.' A parent wrote, 'My son has not previously lived away from home so I am very pleased how he has settled and made friends here. When I visited I was put at ease. A lot of thought had gone into decorating his room.' An independent reviewing officer highlighted, 'The public areas of the premises are in extremely good order and the children are proud to show me their rooms which are decorated to their tastes.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children are very happy and settled at this home. They feel safe, secure, well supported and part of the local community. This is reflected in the fact that there has been no missing from home incidents for twelve months, despite some very troubled histories. One child said, 'I used to run away when I got angry. I haven't run away for ages now.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The children also benefit from targeted work to raise their awareness of risks and to explore appropriate strategies. This keeps them safe when enjoying independence in the community. One child said, 'I feel happy and safe here because everybody cares and helps me and nobody can come and nick me.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children particularly benefit from very clear, fair and consistent boundaries, so they know exactly what is expected of them. They respond well to rewards for good behaviour and effort. Any sanctions imposed are relevant and proportionate to the particular misdemeanour. 10 of 13 All the staff are trained in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of looked after children. They also benefit from the expertise of the registered manager who is a qualified behaviour management instructor. This ensures they appropriately manage a wide variety and complexity of needs and challenging behaviours.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff have a very good knowledge of the individual children. They are, therefore, able to recognise potential triggers and successfully diffuse challenging behaviours. Moreover, some children now feel safe enough, and have learned to express their feelings of fear and anger rather than acting them out. Consequently, the use of restraint has significantly reduced.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A positive new development is the introduction of internal child protection review meetings to openly reflect upon and consistently improve, practice. Managers also meet with other similar services to share best practice. This demonstrates a genuine commitment to continuously strengthening the safeguarding arrangements in place.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Good staffing ratios are maintained at all times and individual risks are clearly identified and well managed. This experienced staff team takes a proactive approach to any potential incidents of bullying.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Social workers and the police confirm good collaborative working and a flexible approach which keeps children safe. The service recently requested feedback on their revised missing from home policy from the police who described it as, 'One of best documents seen and over and above what is required.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All the required health and safety certificates are in place and fire checks undertaken at the required frequencies. This ensures the environment is kept physically very safe and secure.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff recruitment files include all the required information to evidence a safe and competent workforce.

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Leadership and management good

This service remains financially viable and demonstrates a good capacity to continually improve. It is always well staffed to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and to meet their unique needs and personal preferences.

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Leadership and management good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and has nine years relevant experience. He has been in this post for twelve months. By his own volition, it has been a steep learning curve but he is now very clear about the strengths and weaknesses of the service. An appropriate development plan is in place to address the latter. This informs the company's strategic plan to drive continuous improvements. This was recently revised in full consultation with the team, so there is a strong sense of 11 of 13 shared ownership and responsibility. One member of staff said, 'This home is always looking for ways to improve and we are asked for our suggestions which are always valued.'

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Leadership and management good

Fundamental and necessary changes have been made to the staffing structures and practices over the last 12 months which did cause inevitable anxieties. Senior managers are now very happy with the commitment, competencies and the diversity of relevant skills of the current staff team. This means children benefit from a wide range of experiences including animal welfare, cycling, diving, dancing and fell walking.

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Leadership and management good

The home is now enjoying a period of stability. Consequently, morale has significantly improved. Comments from staff include, 'I am proud to work here and am passionate about my role in making a positive difference to children's lives', 'This is the best job I have ever had as I can really make a difference to children's lives. I am part of a good team who support each other well' and, 'It's a brilliant job. We are a united team all focussed on the children to give them a better life. The support that staff get from each other is great and we get lots of training.'

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Leadership and management good

This staff team benefit from detailed handovers, regular formal individual supervision sessions and team meetings with very open and honest debates. This results in consistency and continuity of care. Staff say that managers are very accessible and approachable to discuss any matters at any-time. Moreover, timely annual staff appraisals are undertaken to explore continued personal development and on-going training needs. This process is strengthened by the inclusion of children's views. Examples include, 'She is good. She listens to me and when I get into problems she helps me', 'I like her. She is always there for us and I know I can speak to her about anything' and, 'She is really lovely. She's like a mum to me.'

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Leadership and management good

The two recommendations from the last interim inspection on 27 February 2014 have been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently, children's bedrooms have been decorated and now provide a comfortable and personalised private space. Also, children are involved in regular fire drills at different times of the day and night. This ensures they all know exactly what to do in the event of a real fire.

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Leadership and management good

There has also been an impressive amount of positive developments in recent months. Examples include: achieving investors in people award; improving practice through robust peer reviews of similar services; and, developing an internal diploma provided by an independent psychologist which all staff have to complete. The registered manager and senior teacher have established an effective working relationship to ensure consistency of care and scrutiny of record keeping. The service has also embedded audit tools for assessing the progress of children and staff development.

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Leadership and management good

However, a three monthly report following a review by the manager on the quality of 12 of 13 care provided in the home has not been forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. Also, although the majority of staff are very experienced, they have not all completed the qualification required for their respective roles and responsibilities.

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Leadership and management good

The few complaints received about the home are efficiently resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. Moreover, the team reflect together on any lessons learned as a means of continuously improving their practice.

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Leadership and management good

The Statement of Purpose has been revised in line with the recent amendments to legislation and accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices and staffing of the home.

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Leadership and management good

Notifiable events are forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. They demonstrate that appropriate action is taken to safeguard and protect the welfare of children in full collaboration with other relevant agencies.

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Leadership and management good

Children files are securely stored and are in general good order. They provide an accurate, positive and personalised account of their progress, achievements and future goals. 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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