Children's Home run by ROC Northwest Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC066428 Inspector Mandy Williams Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person ROC Northwest Limited Registered person address Heyes House, 41 Silverdale Road Arnside CARNFORTH Lancashire LA5 0AL Responsible individual Hilary Waterhouse Registered manager Janice Jardine Date of last inspection 27/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 11/11/2014

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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

This is a good home where young people are making good progress across all areas of their development. Young people are happy and safe at the home. They are complimentary about the care that they receive. Young people have positive and respectful relationships with staff, as they have learnt to trust. Staff ensure that the home makes a positive difference to young people's lives.

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Overall effectiveness

Social workers speak positively about the home. One social worker commented, 'The home is well run and well organised. The management team and staff are excellent in supporting young people. Everyone has clear rules and guidelines to follow and young people are aware of these. Staff also reward good work and behaviour.' This practice promotes good outcomes for young people.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from individualised care. Staff work in close liaison with their social workers and families to ensure that they are working in unison and working to meet agreed objectives for young people. The Registered Manager, who is relatively new to the home, has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has a targeted development plan in place.

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Overall effectiveness

Three requirements and two good practice recommendations have arisen as a result of this inspection. While the home is operating well and positive outcomes for 3 of 11 young people are evident, there are some weaknesses. However, these have not had a negative impact on young people and the Registered Manager took action to address many of the issues identified during the inspection. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people of either gender who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, physical or learning disabilities, mental disorders and sensory impairment. The home provides accommodation for up to four young people in the main building and one young person in an annex attached to the building. This is designed as a semi- independent living space.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 24/10/2013 Full outstanding 27/02/2013 Interim good progress 26/06/2012 Full good

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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 that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there; specifically that risk assessments contain up-to-date information, making it clear the current significance of the issue of concern (Regulation 11(1)(a)) 08/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the promotion of the physical, emotional and mental health needs of children accommodated 08/12/2014 5 of 11 in the home (Regulation 20(1))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that suitable arrangements are made for the recording, handling, safekeeping and safe administration of any medicines received into the children's home. (Regulation 21(1)) 08/12/2014

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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 the home consistently follows good recruitment practice; specifically that references are sought when an individual has worked with young people in a voluntary capacity (NMS 16.2)  ensure that there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. (NMS 21.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people living in the home are settled here. Some have lived here for a number of years. Similarly, some staff have worked in the home for a long period of time. Young people know the staff and each other well, allowing the development of positive relationships. Young people largely demonstrate warm and respectful relationships with staff and with each other. As a result of this warm and supportive environment young people are making good progress across all areas of their development.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Parents and social workers report that they are pleased with young people’s progress. One parent commented in feedback requested by the home, 'I feel that X has come on from her time at the home and staff are great to talk to if there are any problems.' Similarly, one social worker reported, 'All the staff are very supportive and work hard to ensure that X reaches their full potential.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s health needs are met in the home. They benefit from good access to both routine and specialist health care services. This ensures that their individual health requirements receive attention. Young people understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They follow good personal hygiene routines and receive information about a range of issues, such as healthy eating and smoking. Staff also acknowledge young people's emotional health needs and additional support is accessed if required. As a result young people's risk taking behaviours are reducing and there has been a improvement in their general health since admission to the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are involved in a range of activities in the community, such as attending dance classes, scouts and judo. Young people also receive encouragement to participate in age appropriate experiences, such as attending a local music festival. Young people appreciate the opportunities available to them. This stimulates their interest and helps keep them fit and healthy. One social worker commented, 'I am extremely impressed with the activities available.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The majority of young people attend school regularly and are making good progress. However, some young people are currently attending on a part-time basis, as they are struggling to engage with education. Staff remain good advocates for these young people, acknowledging the significance of educational attainment for their future.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from the support of staff in maintaining regular contact with their family and friends. Staff regularly facilitate visits with family members and young people are also enabled to maintain friendships in the community. Young people are able to stay overnight with friends, with the agreement of staff, as is usual for young people of their age and understanding. This ensures that young people are able to 7 of 11 enjoy time with those significant to them and maintain these relationships over time. One young person commented, ‘I still get to see my family and friends, which is really good'.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a nurturing and supportive environment. Staff work hard to build positive and trusting relationships with young people and provide them with the care and support they require to develop physically and emotionally. Young people speak positively about the relationships they share with their keyworkers and enjoy the time that they spend with them. They also display confidence in staff representing their views and needs.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from individualised care plans that reflect their needs and circumstances. Staff are familiar with young people's plans, ensuring a consistency of care. Young people contribute to their care planning. They complete an introduction to their placement plans entitled, 'what I would like staff to know about me.' This provides an insightful summary, reflective of the young person's personality. Positive keyworker relationships ensure that young people invest in these individuals. This enables staff to work with them to address any pertinent issues and plan positively for their future.

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Quality of care good

Social workers talk positively about communication between the home and themselves, saying that they are kept up-to-date concerning any incidents involving young people they have placed at the home. Staff also produce good quality monthly update reports for social workers. These highlight the progress that young people have made, as well as raise any issue of concern. Social workers appreciate this, as they feel they are always aware of the pertinent issues for young people. Staff have also provided more frequent updates when this has been requested by a young person's social worker. One social worker commented, 'I feel that the home is definitely working in partnership with me. Staff are very supportive.'

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Quality of care good

Staff are also in regular communication with young people's schools. They demonstrate an appreciation of the significance of education for the young person's future. Staff advocate for young people who are not currently in full-time education and facilitate home learning opportunities. Staff acknowledge and celebrate young people's achievements in education, reinforcing the importance of this to young people.

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Quality of care good

Young people display confidence in knowing what to do if they are unhappy or wish to make a complaint; and they have done so on occasion. Staff take young people's complaints seriously. Young people receive a clear outcome to any compliant that they do make. Details are included in the young people's guide to the home and contact numbers for a range of individuals are on display on the notice board in the 8 of 11 home. Young people also identify their regular weekly meetings with staff as an opportunity to express their views and opinions. These meetings give young people the opportunity to contribute their ideas for meal options, activities and outings, as well as provide a venue for staff to consult with young people about any changes in the home. For example, young people's views contributed to the recent update to the use of the conservatory area in the home. This is now a comfortable area for young

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Quality of care good

people to play on games consoles and engage in craft activities. Consequently, young people are confident that staff will listen to them and they feel valued as a result.

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Quality of care good

Medication is securely stored in the home and records are maintained by staff relating to its administration. However, the procedure for administration is not robust, as a number of errors have occurred since the last inspection. Staff have taken the appropriate action following this and contact has been made with the relevant medical professionals to ensure the safety of young people. The Registered Manager has also taken steps to address these errors by amending the homes procedures. However, further incidents have occurred. Furthermore, medication information leaflets were not available in the home for all medicines being administered. This makes it difficult for staff to be alert to any side effects or contra- indicators. Additionally, while an epilepsy protocol was in place for one young person, the most recent version was difficult to locate and contained some inaccurate information. This practice is not sufficiently robust to ensure the well-being of young

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Quality of care good

people living in the home. However, to date, there has been no negative impact on young people and action was taken to address this during the inspection.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people say that they feel safe living in this home. The organisation ensure that staff know what action to take should they have any safeguarding concerns, as all staff receive training as part of their induction to the home. There are a number of policies and procedures in place in order to safeguard young people. When appropriate, the homes procedures have been agreed by other bodies who share a responsibility. For example, the homes missing from home procedures are compatible with the local protocol and have been agreed by the police. This ensures that everyone is working together and thresholds to escalate concerns are agreed.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people benefit from a wide range of individualised risk assessments, which also outline how these risks may be alleviated. Risk assessments are subject to review and update monthly. However, it is not always clear to staff in the interim period that recent incidents may have increased the young person's 'risk rating', as details are not logged on these risk assessments. A clear chronology of incidents of concern is also not maintained without cross referencing to other records in the home. Consequently, the Registered Manager cannot be assured that all staff are aware of the pertinent issues for young people currently or that increased vigilance may be required to mitigate these risks. The absence of a clear recording system also makes it difficult to monitor and assess these incidents. Immediate action was taken 9 of 11 to address this during the inspection. While there has been no immediate impact on

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Keeping children and young people safe good

young people, this undermines the home’s risk assessment procedures.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All staff are trained in positive behaviour management. Individualised behaviour management plans make it clear to staff how they should respond to any behavioural issues presented by young people. Staff use positive reinforcement and reward to promote good behaviour. However, sanctions are employed on occasions. Young people report that these are generally fair and any sanctions imposed are reviewed by the Registered Manager to ensure that they are effective. Staff are trained in the safe use of restraint. Both staff and young people understand that physical intervention is only used when absolutely necessary. One young person commented, 'Restraint is only necessary in extreme situations and the rules on restraint are always followed.' Good records are maintained following any incidents that do occur and both staff and young people have the opportunity to de-brief after the event. Incidents are also discussed at weekly staff meetings to ensure that all staff are

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Keeping children and young people safe good

made aware of the incident and so that lessons can be learnt and alternative strategies agreed upon.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff recruitment processes are largely sound. A range of checks are undertaken and good records are maintained. References are sought from previous employers and verification calls made. Any gaps in employment are also explored and documented. However, contact is not routinely made with organisations where an individual has been working in a voluntary capacity with children and young people. Hence, the Registered Manager does not have this additional reassurance, confirming their suitability for working in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people live in an environment that is physically safe. Regular safety checks are undertaken and environmental risk assessments are in place. Regular fire drills ensure that young people and staff are familiar with the actions to take in the event of an emergency. Personal emergency evacuation plans are also in place for young people who are unable to evacuate the home without assistance. These processes ensure the safety of those in the home.

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Leadership and management good

There is an appropriately qualified and experienced manager in charge of the home. She has managed the home since March 2014 and was formally registered by Ofsted in May 2014. There is a deputy manager in place to support her, who has worked in the home for a number of years.

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Leadership and management good

Staff, including bank staff, receive regular supervision to support them in their task of caring for young people. Staff also receive an annual performance appraisal. A system has also been established to ascertain young people's views to help inform this process. This ensures that staff reflect on their performance and that together with their line manager they agree objectives for the future. The process also 10 of 11 acknowledges the training needs of staff. A range of training opportunities are available and staff are complimentary about the amount and quality of training that they receive. Staff working in the home either have a level three qualification or are enrolled on a course and working towards this. The deputy manager also has a qualification in leadership and management. Consequently, staff are equipped with the skills they need to effectively meet the needs of young people.

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Leadership and management good

At the last inspection of the home in February 2014, one requirement and two recommendations were made. These have been successfully addressed. Ofsted have been advised regarding any changes to the homes Statement of Purpose; similarly Ofsted have been notified regarding any significant incidents; and improvements were noted during the inspection in relation to the maintenance and upkeep of the home.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has a development plan in place; and utilises a 'project file' to track and monitor the progress of the targets that she has set. The plan illustrates that the Registered Manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has a commitment to continuous improvement. The views and wishes of young people in the home also influence this plan. The Registered Manager regularly reviews the progress being made and is on track to meet the issues prioritised at the onset. For example, a number of rooms in the home have been decorated and the conservatory area has been developed into an area for young people to play on games consoles. She also utilises the strengths of the staff team and many are allocated a specific area of responsibility. This approach ensures that tasks are completed and empowers and motivates the staff team. Weekly staff meetings provide a venue for staff to feedback on their progress. These meetings are also

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Leadership and management good

utilised by the Registered Manager to provide update training for staff and a venue for staff to debate how they are meeting a particular national minimum standard for children's homes. This ensures that staff continue to be mindful of these issues. Good records are maintained of these meetings; actions are followed through and the system for sharing the minutes of these meetings with all staff is effective.

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Leadership and management good

Thorough and detailed reports on the external monitoring of the home are completed monthly. Staff, young people, their families and social workers are consistently consulted regarding the quality of care in the home. Their views are reflected in the regular reports received by Ofsted. The Registered Manager completes a monthly check on the operation of the home and provides Ofsted with a summary of these on a three monthly basis. However, the current system is not sufficiently robust, as it has not identified incorrect dates and missing signatures on documents. Furthermore, while procedures are in place to monitor the progress of young people, this involves cross referencing with other records in the home. The Registered Manager took action to address this difficulty during the inspection and a new system to aid such monitoring was devised. 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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