Children's Home run by Bay View Child Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC463926 Inspector Jackie Line Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Bay View Child Care Limited Registered person address 3-5 Dalton Square Lancaster Lancashire LA1 1PP

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Responsible individual Martin Richard Horner Registered manager Paul Andrew Johnson Date of last inspection 13/08/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 16/10/2014

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Previous inspection inadequate 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

At the previous inspection the home was judged to be inadequate. A comprehensive review has led to significant improvements in the home’s overall performance.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager is now providing strong and effective leadership. The staff team have worked hard to secure improvements in their practice. The home is organised and structured and this contributes to the stability and consistency afforded to young people. Internal and external monitoring of the home is robust, and this means that shortfalls identified are now quickly addressed.

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Overall effectiveness

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have all been met. Restraint practice meets regulatory requirements and this promotes young people’s safety and well-being. Safeguarding procedures have been reviewed and updated. Consequently, any incidents that do occur are responded to promptly and appropriately. Staff have improved their record keeping, this is now accurate and completed to a good standard. As a result, clear information is available to inform care planning for young people and to ensure the continued development of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Care planning is robust and personalised to meet the individual needs of young people. Staff work effectively with parents and professionals to promote the 3 of 11 development of each young person. Young people continue to make good progress, particularly in relation to their education and social development. This is achieved through positive relationships between staff and young people, in conjunction with carefully considered target setting and incentives.

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection has identified one requirement and two recommendations. None of these shortfalls have directly impacted on the welfare of children to date. They do not negate the significant improvements made since the last inspection or undermine the overall effectiveness of the care provided to young people. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of two owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/08/2014 Full inadequate 06/05/2014 Interim sustained effectiveness 30/01/2014 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

(2001) ensure, by means of file drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home are aware of the procedure to be followed in the case of a fire (Regulation 32(1) (e)). 21/11/2014

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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 that staff are aware of and alert to any signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm, specifically in relation to e-safety (NMS 4.3) 5 of 11  ensure that a record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person (NMS 19.5). 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are making good progress in all aspects of their development. Young people’s attendance at school continues to improve and has reached 95% since the start of the new school term. Moreover, young people have achieved improved attainment levels in academic study and have progressed in their personal and social development. As a result, young people are realising their potential, and are now making plans to go to college. One social worker commented: ‘I can’t believe the turnaround in him, attending school every day is a credit to him, I am proud of the efforts he has made’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people demonstrate a commitment towards a healthier lifestyle. For example, one young person has accessed support to try and stop smoking. This is a significant step forward and has led to a reduction in their smoking habit. Regular activities ensure young people remain fit and active. Young people are aware of their health arrangements and attend all appointments with health professionals. Young people have developed their self-care skills. This indicates young people are feeling better about themselves, and their self-esteem has improved.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop coping strategies to help them deal more effectively with difficult situations. As a result risky behaviours have reduced. One reviewing officer said about one young person: ‘He has ceased absconding and this has increased his safety’. There are still occasions when young people challenge boundaries, but individually tailored behaviour support plans means that such incidents are reducing.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people mature as a result of living in this home. They are able to manage greater degrees of independence in line with their age and development. For example, young people enjoy going out to meet friends in the community, and are now able to travel independently. This, together with age appropriate responsibilities in the home, means they are learning necessary life skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from maintaining contact with those who are important to them. Staff work closely with young people, parents and social workers to ensure contact is positive, safe and enjoyable. Young people’s families are welcome at the home. This benefits young people who see staff and parents working together in their best interests. This reinforces young people’s support networks.

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Quality of care good

7 of 11 Relationships between staff and young people are positive. They are relaxed with each other and readily enjoy each other’s company. This helps young people build trusting relationships. Young people identify their keyworkers as people who are important to them. Regular keyworker sessions enable young people to focus on particular issues, learn more about themselves, reflect on difficulties and make progress. A health professional comments that young people are ‘more open and engaged; have formed relationships with some staff to talk to when feeling stressed, and have found this effective’.

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Quality of care good

Placement plans are well written and clearly outline the individual needs of young people. They are reviewed and updated regularly. Moreover, there is now clear evidence that plans are written, updated and implemented in conjunction with placing authorities. All necessary documentation relating to young people’s health, education and care planning is in place. This includes records of all meetings attended. As a result, it is now clear what responsibilities are delegated to staff, and young people’s progress is measured against clearly identified needs.

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Quality of care good

Young people understand how to make a complaint. They can identify people to talk to, in and out of the home, if they are worried about anything. Young people retain copies of a guide to the home in their bedroom. This contains information, guidance and contact details of agencies such as Ofsted, Children’s Rights and the Children’s Commissioner.

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Quality of care good

The home is described by parents and professionals as a warm and welcoming environment. One social worker said: ‘I am always made welcome, the environment is always calm, and there are never any undercurrents’. One parent said: ‘Staff take their responsibilities seriously, and they are always very professional’. As a result, professionals and parents are confident in the care provided to young people. Positive working relationships ensure that young people's welfare is promoted.

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Quality of care good

The home is now maintained to a high standard throughout. Shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been robustly addressed. As a result, appropriate standards of care are always maintained. Staff work hard to ensure they are organised and prepared for the day ahead. This means young people benefit from good structures and routines.

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Quality of care good

Young people have their own bedrooms, which are personalised to suit their individual tastes. Photographs and mementos on display in the home reflect young people’s positive experiences and celebrate their success. For example, there is a range of photographs of a recent coast to coast cycling holiday. They reflect that this was hard work but fun, and young people gained a real sense of achievement from this experience.

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Quality of care good

Healthy lifestyles are promoted. Staff deliver health promotion work alongside input from the children’s looked after nurse. Medication is stored safely and records are maintained on the administration of all prescribed and non-prescribed medication. All 8 of 11 staff receive suitable training to support young people’s health and well-being. This ensures a good quality of care is maintained.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Safeguarding issues raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed. Investigations have taken place and appropriate outcomes reached. Managers have liaised effectively with the Local Authority Designated Officer and appropriate records are maintained. Safeguarding procedures have been reviewed, and all staff have received safeguarding training since the last inspection. As a result, the home is now able to demonstrate that safeguarding practice is robust, and this promotes the welfare and safety of young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff demonstrate respect and understanding about young people who occasionally display challenging behaviours. Because they are adept at identifying underlying stress and anxiety, staff are able to relate to why young people sometimes behave as they do. A social worker said: ‘The whole way staff deal with young people is very effective’. Staff work with young people to help them understand how their behaviour impacts on themselves and other people. Young people understand their behaviour has consequences, which can be positive or negative. As a result, they are learning to take responsibility for their actions. A parent said, ‘when he gets consequences, he can deal with it now’.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A comprehensive review of restraint practice within the home has taken place since the last inspection. All staff have received training, the home’s own procedures have been updated and externally verified. Staff now clearly understand the need to act in accordance with procedures and legislative frameworks. Records are clear, and accurately describe what measures are used. Young people and staff are always given the opportunity to reflect on incidents with people who are not involved in the restraint. As a result of the improvements made, restraint practice in the home is now deemed safe and young people are protected as a result.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people confirm they feel safe living at the home. Young people also say that bullying is not an issue of concern to them. Most staff have a basic understanding of the dangers and risks associated with social media, and young people accessing the internet. This is an area identified for improvement to ensure that all staff are fully competent in e-safety and can keep young people safe on-line.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A range of health and safety checks are completed in the home. As a result, the home is appropriately risk assessed, and the environment is physically safe and secure for young people. Young people are supported to understand what to do in the event of a fire and participate in regular fire drills. The inspection identified that not all staff have participated in a fire evacuation drill. Consequently, they are not 9 of 11 fully prepared and practiced in the action to take in the event of such an emergency. This places young people at risk.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

No young people have gone missing between inspections. All young people have a missing from home plan outlining individual risks, vulnerabilities, and strategies to manage such situations. Should young people go missing, there is now a clear system in place for documenting all actions taken by staff during the period of absence, to try and locate young people, and ensure their safe return. This means the safety and well-being of young people is promoted.

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Leadership and management good

An internal management restructure has meant that roles and responsibilities are now clear. Lines of accountability are well defined and staff and young people now benefit from effective and efficient leadership. The Registered Manager has been in post since May 2013 and holds the relevant care and management qualifications.

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Leadership and management good

Regular staff meetings are well attended and this ensures consistency and cohesion. All staff, including the Registered Manager, receive regular supervision and say they feel supported. Individual development plans have recently been reviewed. This means that staff now have clearly identified training needs, and a programme is in place outlining when and how these will be met. Staff have completed an impressive range of training courses since the last inspection, and this demonstrates their commitment to improve practice. As a result, staff are equipped with the necessary skills to understand and meet the complex needs of young people living at the home.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has introduced robust monitoring on a regular basis. His renewed focus on driving higher standards is a key indicator of the home’s capacity to improve. This is coupled with more suitable arrangements for the external monitoring of the home. Consequently, there is a clear and independent evaluation of the home’s performance and this has contributed to improvements made since the last inspection.

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Leadership and management good

A development plan is in place and this is reviewed regularly. This ensures the Registered Manager has a realistic view about the strengths and weaknesses of the home and informs him how to secure improvement for the future. This helps the manager and staff achieve goals to improve the quality of care young people receive.

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Leadership and management good

Staff understand the importance of good record keeping and there are demonstrable improvements since the last inspection. Records are organised and well maintained. As a result, they provide a clear picture of a young person’s needs and progress, as well as more accurately reflecting what goes on in the home.

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Leadership and management good

An appropriate system is in place to ensure staff and leaders notify Ofsted, and other authorities of significant events that occur within the home, or with young people. 10 of 11 This ensures that those with an interest in young people’s welfare are informed of such events and this helps to keep young people safe. 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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