Children's Home run by Aspire Child Care Ltd in Rochdale

Unique reference number SC413779 Inspector Janine Shortman-Thomas Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Aspire Child Care Ltd Registered person address 15 Jutland Avenue ROCHDALE Lancashire OL11 5DP Responsible individual Christine MacKay Registered manager Christine MacKay Date of last inspection 14/03/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 10/10/2014

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Previous inspection not judged Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action taken since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

This home has been closed for a considerable length of time with no young people living at the home since 11 September 2011. This home reopened on 3 July 2014 following the admission of young people and has remained operational since.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress in relation to their starting points and thrive in a supportive, consistent and nurturing environment. This is achieved by good quality care planning and care practice which is highly individualised to meet the diverse and unique needs of young people. Young people are positive about the care they receive and attribute their successes to the support provided by staff. As a consequence, young people live in a supportive environment that provides consistency, routines and boundaries which allows them to grow and flourish in preparation for adulthood.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's views and opinions are central to everything the home does. The staff are skilled at communicating effectively with young people to ensure they are consulted and listened to on all aspects of their care. This means that young people grow in confidence and are empowered to share their views and contribute to making decisions affecting their lives. 3 of 12 There is a strong focus on keeping young people safe. Young people say they feel safe and have someone to talk to should they have a concern. Strong systems, good care practice and positive working relationships with partner agencies ensure the welfare and safety of young people is promoted and maintained. Staff have a sound knowledge of young people’s risks and vulnerabilities and are proactive in working with partner agencies to ensure these risks are minimised and managed safely. As a result, young people feel safe and are safe because they are well protected by the

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Overall effectiveness

The home is effectively managed. Young people benefit from being cared for by a stable and experienced core of staff who work together to provide consistent care for young people. However, a number of shortfalls are identified at this inspection. These relate to regulation 33 monitoring, notification of significant events, the Statement of Purpose and Children's Guide, and maintenance of the physical environment. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This setting provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may need support with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2014 Interim not judged 22/01/2014 Interim not judged 06/03/2013 Interim not judged 19/10/2012 Interim not judged

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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) promote and make proper provision for an independent person to visit and report on the children's home in accordance with this regulation, specifically ensuring this individual is independent of the management of the home, and that the visits are carried out in line with the regulation. (Regulation 33 (2)(a)(7)) 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): 5 of 12  promote and ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated, specifically ensuring the bathroom wall is repaired and re decorated and the garden shed is removed (NMS 10.3)  ensure the children's guide is updated to include information about how children can contact their IRO, the Children's Commissioner and Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern (NMS 13.5)  ensure when any revisions of the Statement of Purpose is made a copy of the amended document is sent to Ofsted (Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph 2.15)  promote and ensure a system is in place for notifying within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30. This system includes what to do where

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Recommendations

a notifiable event arises at weekend. (NMS 24.1) 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from good quality care that is personalised to their individual needs. Staff are experienced and accomplished at forming and sustaining positive, trusting relationships with young people, professionals and the wider community. This ensures young people feel secure and supported to address inappropriate behaviours effectively. One young person confidently spoke about how they had attended a community forum to hear how their behaviours were impacting on the local community. They proudly highlighted their suggestion to open a community youth group to reduce further incidents of anti-social behaviour, which has been embraced by the local community. This has enabled young people to gain a better understanding of their actions and helped them to make better life choices. This has resulted in a reduction in anti-social behaviour and improved relationships in the community.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff support and encourage young people to improve their academic attendance. Staff have identified courses, supported young people to attend open evenings and interviews and have supported young people to get to, remain in and get home from college. When these have proven to be ineffective staff have worked with young people, social workers and their partner agencies to identify suitable alternatives such as on line learning courses.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and take responsibility for their own health needs. They are encouraged to make their own appointments and are supported to attend these. As a result, present and emerging health needs can be identified and addressed accordingly by the appropriate health service. A health professional commented that, ‘staff fully support young people to engage in all their health appointments and as a result the incidents of self-harm have reduced.’ As a consequence young people’s emotional health has improved.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have a clear understanding of key health issues. They are aware of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with taking illegal substances, alcohol and going missing. They are supported to access appropriate provision from the looked after children’s nurse and specialist child sexual exploitation teams to further increase their knowledge. This helps young people make informed and safe choices about risk taking behaviour in line with their age and understanding. As a result, risk taking behaviours, including the number of missing from care incidents, are reducing.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are supported and listened to. They report that if they want something and can be clear why this is, staff listen to them and try where possible to facilitate this. This enhances young people’s confidence and self-esteem because they feel listened to and valued and respected as individuals. 7 of 12 Young people are confident they are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for adult life. They comment that they can shop, cook and know how to use the household appliances. As such, young people are equipped with the basic knowledge and skills they require to effectively prepare for independence.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people flourish in a stable, nurturing and supportive environment. They comment that the staff know them well, help them to understand their behaviour and are ‘firm but fair, and kind.’ The staff have a thorough understanding of the individual needs of young people and ensure that these are recorded in detailed and clear care plans that are consistently implemented. As a result, young people receive a high level of personalised care which ensures their unique needs are systematically met.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy positive and trusting relationships with the staff. These warm and nurturing relationships help enhance young people’s experiences, progress and development. Professionals are extremely positive about the quality of care and support young people receive. One social worker stated, ‘the manager is excellent she supports (name) fantastically. They support them with all their appointments and have attended college appointments in my absence. The staff always follow the homes procedures and keep me updated of any developments as they occur. (Name) has told me that they feel safe for the first time and as a result has felt secure enough to discuss events of the past. With the support of the staff their relationship with me has improved, incidents of going missing have reduced and self-harm incidents have dramatically reduced.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are proactive and imaginative in supporting young people to make changes to their lives. They work effectively with partner agencies to creatively address issues within the community. External agencies are extremely complimentary about the support that is offered to young people and attribute the progress made in reducing anti-social and risk taking behaviour to the staff's efforts. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in how young people have developed an understanding of how their behaviour impacts on others. Therefore, they are making better choices about their behaviour when outside of the home. As a result, young people’s anti-social behaviour has reduced and they can now live harmoniously within the community.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s views are routinely sought through individual consultations and, more informally, through day to day discussions with managers and staff. Young people confirm that they know how to complain and feel they would be supported by the staff should they need to use this process. As a result, young people feel valued and respected as individuals.

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Quality of care outstanding

Care planning and practice is highly individualised. Young people’s needs are well documented within their individual care plans. These plans are reviewed regularly 8 of 12 and progress is shared with the staff team and social workers. This ensures young people’s progress and achievements are acknowledged and current and emerging needs are identified and met immediately. Young people are regularly consulted about their care plans and have a good understanding of their lives. This means young people are increasingly aspirational about their future and receive a cohesive and highly personalised level of support that is designed to meet their individual and diverse needs.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s physical, emotional and psychological needs are recognised and addressed appropriately. Staff continually assess and monitor young people’s health to ensure that they are aware of, and respond to, any issues or concerns promptly. Positive working relationships with specialist and partner agencies ensure that all young people are registered with a doctor and optician. Young people are supported to access specialist health services as identified within their individual plan, and attend routine health appointments and check-ups. As a consequence, young people receive the correct level of support and care to ensure they achieve the best physical and emotional health possible.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for young people and are committed to supporting and enabling them to reach their full academic potential. Staff regard education as being extremely important to improving young people’s life opportunities. They are proactive in working with young people, social workers and education colleagues to ensure any barriers that prevent inclusion are addressed. As a result, young people are provided with opportunities to improve their learning potential and qualifications, even if they choose not to fully engage.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff place the well-being of young people at the centre of their work, irrespective of challenges they face. Young people state they feel safe and are kept safe. They have developed strong and meaningful relationships with the core staff team. This enables them to raise any issues or concerns and ensures that effective action is taken to reduce the incidents of risk taking behaviour, especially in regards to self-harm. As a consequence young people are kept safe.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Care plans clearly identify risks and strategies required to reduce these. The staff are aware of factors that may trigger unsafe behaviours and are proactive in taking action to minimise these. They have a good understanding of young people’s needs and through positive, trusting relationships are able to encourage them to consider their actions if these are felt to be unsafe. As a result, young people have a strong sense of safety and well-being and acknowledge risks associated with their behaviours. This, along with positive working relationships with partner agencies, has reduced incidents of missing from care and self-harming behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There have no incidents of physical restraint since the last inspection. Young people 9 of 12 acknowledge that the staff have been instrumental in helping them change their behaviour for the better. They say that the staff encourage them to understand how their actions impact on others and make better choices about their own behaviour. Positive behaviour is reinforced and promoted through the effective use of incentives and rewards which help young people to self-regulate their own behaviour. This has led to a reduction in the use of sanctions and an increase in sociably acceptable behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people’s risks and vulnerabilities are continuously assessed and fully recorded in their risk assessments. Information in these documents is highly personalised and is routinely shared during shift handovers, supervision and team meetings. This ensures staff are aware of, and equipped to meet the present and emerging needs of all young people in their care. Social workers comment that staff are efficient and effective in observing and responding to any changes in young people which may lead to increased risk. As a result, risks and vulnerabilities are systematically managed to ensure young people's physical safety and emotional welfare is consistently promoted.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The homes procedures for recruiting staff are robust. Potential staff are subjected to a rigorous and challenging recruitment process. Relevant checks are undertaken prior to staff starting work to ensure they are suitable to work with vulnerable young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people live in a physically safe environment. This is because they are protected by a range of health and safety procedures, risk assessments and routine checks. Evacuation plans are understood and regularly practiced by young people and staff.

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Leadership and management good

Young people live in a home that is effectively managed by a suitably qualified manager who has been in post since 11 June 2010. The manager is registered as the Responsible Individual and Registered Manager of this, and another, home. The manager is well supported by an experienced team leader who shares her aspirations and motivation to drive the service forward. The managers’ knowledge, skills and experience to provide clear leadership and management to the committed stable staff team is recognised by all partner agencies.

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Leadership and management good

The Statement of Purpose is shared with young people and placing authorities. This provides detailed information about the home’s aims and objectives and ensures that placing authorities are informed of the care and support young people can expect to receive. This document is regularly updated to ensure it is current and provides relevant detail. However, a copy of the amended document has not been sent to Ofsted. As a result, the regulator does not have accurate and up to date information about the home. 10 of 12 Young people are provided with their own young person’s guide on admission. This is clearly written in an easy to read format but does not contain sufficient information about how to contact an independent person to raise a complaint or concern. As a result, young people are not informed of the full range of services and options available to them.

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Leadership and management good

Staff performance is routinely monitored and developed through purposeful training, supervision and support. All staff are complimentary of the support, guidance and training they receive from managers and colleagues. The management team works closely with staff to promote high standards of care and maintain the safety of young people. The majority of staff have attained a relevant childcare qualification and suitable arrangements are in place for those staff who still need to complete a level 3 childcare qualification. New staff are inducted well and are given the opportunity to commence a relevant childcare qualification upon completion of their probationary period.

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Leadership and management good

Internal monthly monitoring is good and allows managers to identify strengths and address the weaknesses of the home. Processes for external monitoring under Regulation 33 are in place. However, only one visit has been undertaken since the home opened in July 2014. This visit was undertaken by a person who provides supervision for the Responsible Individual. As a result there is no independent oversight to provide external scrutiny and challenge to develop the service further.

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Leadership and management good

Suitable action has been taken to address the requirements from previous inspections. The Registered Manager is now in day to day charge of the home; young people are cared for by a sufficient number of qualified and competent staff who have received training in fire prevention, food hygiene and attachment disorder. Also, schedule 6 monitoring has improved; records of measures of control are now sufficiently detailed; staff have an improved understanding of how to use consequences to improve behaviour and the gas safety checks are now up to date.

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Leadership and management good

Young people’s records are well organised, up to date and of a high quality. They are regularly reviewed and provide a good insight into young people’s individual needs, development and progress. Information is securely stored and is shared appropriately with young people, staff and stakeholders to ensure individual confidentially is maintained.

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Leadership and management good

A clear vision of child focused practice is embedded within the home's ethos and has resulted in young people achieving positive outcomes in most areas of their lives. Comments from placing authorities and partner agencies are consistently positive and acknowledge the committed child centred approach as a strength of the service.

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Leadership and management good

There have been two complaints from neighbours within the local community since the last inspection. These have been dealt with effectively and creatively ensuring the local community is happy and young people are kept safe. 11 of 12 There are systems in place for the management and notification of serious incidents. Detailed records that evidence robust responses to supporting young people and sharing information with relevant people are maintained. However, on one occasion Ofsted were not notified when a complaint was raised about a member of staff working in the home. This is viewed as an administrative oversight and had no impact on the welfare and care of the young person.

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Leadership and management good

The home is well maintained in the kitchen, lounge / dining room and young people’s bedrooms. Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms in the colours and with pictures of their choice. Attention is required to the bathroom and garden. The bathroom wall is in need of repair and redecoration to ensure the home is well maintained and the garden shed requires moving to keep the home free from hazards. 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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