Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC446261 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Footsteps A Path To Change 08 Limited Registered person address 8 Alderley Close Hazel Grove STOCKPORT Cheshire SK7 6BS Responsible individual Lesley Jane Hearne Registered manager Gareth John Dawson Date of last inspection 30/01/2014 2 of 8 Inspection date 29/10/2014

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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 outstanding Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

Throughout this inspection the commitment of the staff and managers of this home to providing a high standard of care was apparent. Staff have high expectations of young people, who are supported to recognise and to take responsibility for their actions.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from individualised care from a staff team who know them well and understand their needs. The stability and continuity offered, is supported by a number of external professionals from a range of different services.

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Overall effectiveness

Although young people do engage in some risk taking behaviours, staff respond with care and strategies which minimise risk, or reduce likelihood of further reoccurrence. The focus on work with other agencies supports safe care practices.

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Overall effectiveness

One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection. It relates to consideration being given to the statement of purpose being published on the website as is required by regulation. This has no immediate impact upon any young people but would serve to inform potential stakeholders, such as placing authorities, of the services offered by the home. 3 of 8

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Information about this children’s home

The children's home accommodates three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned and is one of three children's homes operated by the provider. The home can accommodate young people with physical disabilities if their primary need is emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2014 Interim good progress 16/10/2013 Full good 06/03/2013 Interim good progress 02/08/2012 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

4 (2001) ensure where a children’s home has a website, the registered person shall ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is published on that website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children cared for in the children’s home (Regulation 4 (2) (a)) 31/12/2014 4 of 8

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people engage fully with the supports and encouragement provided by staff, and so they make great strides. Other young people make steady progress from their starting points. One young person stated, ‘Everyone’s saying I am coming on in leaps and bounds. I have got more confidence and self-esteem has gone higher.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

A strong focus on securing college provision, and a system to ensure that learning activities are accredited, means that young people progress and achieve in education. A teacher for one of the young people commented positively about their engagement in learning and contribution to the class. Participation in education, and educational achievement, significantly improves young people’s future employment prospects.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are registered with primary health services such as dentists and general practitioners. They access these services either independently or with support from staff. Young people are provided with information which enables them to make informed choices about their health, and other issues. One young person stated of the home, ‘It’s made me grow up – it’s the things they do. It’s alright, they give good advice and information you need to know. You can talk to them and they help you.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Where young people engage in risk taking behaviour, they are supported to understand the personal and legal implications of their actions, and they learn from this. This reduces the risk of repeat incidents.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop social skills and frequently become involved in community activities. The social worker for one young person stated that the biggest achievement for the young person is, ‘His social interaction and his ability to integrate into the community and education. They have done really well promoting college and building links in the community. They have high expectations for him and they are working with him at his pace. They have had a plan of action building him up in stages. He is now actually leading a life. He will always present behaviour but it is much less now.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people recognise the difference that living at this home makes to them. One young person stated, ‘It’s made a big difference to my life. It was a rough time, then I came here – I have put staff through their paces – most carers leave you with the police – here, each time they have stood by me and they have put stuff in place that helps me progress.’ 5 of 8 Young people benefit from being cared for by a consistent staff team who have a good understanding of their needs. This allows young people to build relationships with the staff and to settle at the home. The independent reviewing officer (IRO) for one young person stated, ‘The home has given her stability and security – she has had a lot of investment from a very good team and there has been a clear vision and focus.’ Another IRO made the following comments about the home, ‘They are very supportive with all his needs. They take on board advice. There is always a full

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Quality of care outstanding

report. They know him and they are all very mindful of his background. They are very tuned into safeguarding.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Placement plans are highly individual to each young person and they are reviewed monthly. Therefore, progress against goals agreed with the young people, are evaluated and they change to reflect young people’s changing circumstances. In addition to consultation about placement plans, weekly young people’s meetings provide a regular forum for consultation. The day to day running of the home is discussed and the meetings are utilised to remind young people of their right to complain or ‘grumble’ about anything they are dissatisfied with. Young people’s written records are shared with them, one of whom said, ‘They tell me what they write about me and ask me if I agree.’ Young people’s comments are included in the annual appraisals of staff, which demonstrates that their views about the way they are looked after matter.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff ensure that young people have access to a range of health services including sexual health services, and services which promote emotional wellbeing. As part of the ongoing development of the home, a psychologist has been contracted. They have undertaken training with staff and there are plans in place for the expansion of this role.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home’s dedicated education co-ordinator utilises young people’s interests such as music, and attainments such as developing independent living skills, to ensure young people’s achievements are formally recognised and accredited. This helps to motivate young people toward ongoing learning that is in addition to their college courses. Regular communication with schools ensures strong working relationships that promote young people’s education, and their safety.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people benefit from living in a comfortable, homely environment that is exceptionally well maintained both inside and outside.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people state that they feel safe at this home and they recognise the actions that staff take to keep them safe. One young person stated, ‘They do risk assessments – when I am out they see me every 4 hours and ring me every 2 hours. It’s alright.’ Staff ensure a robust response when young people go missing from the 6 of 8 home. Clear strategies are set out within risk assessments and all efforts to contact and find young people are evidenced. The home asserts the need for multi- disciplinary strategy discussions even when incidents of missing do not meet placing authority thresholds for such meetings. As a result, there is ongoing revision of approaches to reducing risk and reassessment of whether the placement continues to meet young people’s needs. The local authority ‘missing from home support worker’ has a newly established role with the home. They are now undertaking the independent ‘return interviews’ when young people have been missing and, when

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Keeping children and young people safe good

required, they can act as an advocate for young people. The development of this role further enhances safeguards for young people at this home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

When young people engage in risk taking behaviour for example, using drugs, criminal behaviour, or self-harm, support and education is provided. This reduces the likelihood of reoccurrence. This is achieved by monitoring patterns and trends of behaviour, showing care and by involving other professionals who can influence and inform young people of the potential consequences of their actions. Strong and effective working relationships with the police means that matters, which might otherwise lead to the criminalisation of young people, are on occasion, resolved without charge or prosecution.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Targets within individual behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed in order to continuously promote and develop positive behaviour. Sanctions used are minimal, proportionate and agreed by young people as ‘fair’. Restraint has not been used which indicates the effectiveness of de-escalation techniques. Where any activity holds an element of risk, staff are clear with young people about potential consequences. The staff set out the expectations of young people’s behaviour, and seek their agreement to comply. For example young people allow staff to monitor their online activity.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A clear process for the management of allegations ensures that allegations are managed quickly and effectively. Good working relationships with the local authority designated officer and the police provides external scrutiny to the process, including the outcomes of any internal investigations.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Good practice in the recruitment of staff ensures only suitable people are employed to work at the home. Routine health and safety checks cover all areas of the home and include checks of fire safety equipment. Fire drills are carried out at suitable intervals. This ensures that young people live in an environment that is safe and secure.

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Leadership and management good

7 of 8 The Registered Manager has the relevant qualifications and has significant previous management experience. He has been the Registered Manager of this home since 2010.

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Leadership and management good

Young people are cared for by a consistent staff team who are trained and committed to meeting their needs. All staff, including recently recruited staff have undertaken essential training. In addition to the home’s ‘mandatory’ training programme, further training is provided to develop care practices. Staff speak positively about the support they receive including the benefits of regular supervision. Records show that supervision offers staff encouragement and praise as well as challenge. Team meetings are utilised to discuss individual young people and developments in the home and they support consistency for young people.

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Leadership and management good

The home operates within its statement of purpose which has been recently updated. The home has not yet considered whether the statement of purpose should be published on the home’s website, in line with recent regulatory changes. The children’s guide to the home reinforces young people’s rights and provides contact details of people and agencies who are independent of the home. This provides young people with an additional source of support and a place to report any worries or concerns.

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Leadership and management good

Managers and leaders are aware of the home's strengths and areas for further development. High quality recording and monitoring ensures that young people’s progress is tracked and there is continuous review and development of the service. 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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