Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC440309 Inspector Lynn O'Driscoll Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Lancashire County Council Registered person address PO Box 78 County Hall Fishergate Preston PR1 8XJ Responsible individual Brendan Francis Lee Registered manager Gillian Wilkinson Date of last inspection 12/03/2014 2 of 14 Inspection date 12/11/2014

p.1

Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

Overall effectiveness good

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

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people'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 excellent care and support and clear and consistent boundaries. Consequently, young people feel safe, very happy and settled in this home.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from highly 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 young people to realise their full potentials. They are, therefore, making good progress behaviourally, emotionally, socially and educationally from their individual starting points.

p.2

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 all the young people.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The managers and staff team are genuinely committed to providing a high standard of care and are particularly strong and effective advocates. This ensures young people's voices are heard and acted upon if this is in their best interests. 3 of 14 The managers and staff are all very clear about the many strengths of the home and there is a challenging development plan in place to drive continuous improvement.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

One requirement has arisen from this inspection. This is to ensure that the three monthly reviews of the quality of care provided in the home includes consultations with young people, their parents and placing authorities. One recommendation has also been made to record the duration of staff supervision sessions. These shortfalls do not have a negative impact on the health or safety of young people. 4 of 14

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children's home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people of either sex aged from 11 to 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home can take emergency placements.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2014 Interim good progress 15/08/2013 Full good 07/03/2013 Interim good progress 15/10/2012 Full adequate

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure Regulation 34 reports detail consultations with young people accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34(3)) 31/01/2015

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure the staff supervision tracking record details the length of each 5 of 14 session. (NMS 19.5) 6 of 14

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people good

All the young people are very happy and settled at this home and enjoy particularly good relationships with their peers. They benefit from highly individualised care which bests meets their unique needs and personal preferences. This enables them all to reach their full potential. They say they trust and feel extremely comfortable discussing any concerns with staff, knowing they will be efficiently addressed.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have a genuine choice about contact arrangements with their birth families which is actively promoted and facilitated by the staff. This helps the young people to understand their backgrounds and maintain their sense of identity. Young people’s friends are welcome to regularly visit the home and young people enjoy staying overnight at their friends’ houses.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Comments from young people include, 'I am happy here and get on well with all the staff', 'It's much better here now. It’s a good group and we all get on', 'My keyworker is my hero. She understands me completely. She took me on holiday abroad for my birthday and arranged for me to meet my grandparents friends there' and, 'I was so pleased to see my grandma again after a long time and I can't wait to spend time with them at Christmas.'

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

Currently, all the young people are fit and healthy. They benefit from 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 meaningful activities and trips. They also loved their recent holiday abroad and the opportunity to experience a very different culture.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

The young people benefit from healthy homemade meals and regular physical exercise to keep fit and well. Young people who live at the home no longer take illegal substances. Comments from young people include, 'I look and feel better since I came here. My skin and hair have really improved' and, 'I like living here and the chance to do lots of physical activities like boxing, the gym and football.'

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

However, they all smoke tobacco, having this habit prior to admission. They understand this will negatively impact on their continued good health and are engaging well with specialist services to try to stop.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

All the young people are receiving appropriate education that best meets their assessed needs. Consequently, they are making good progress from their individual starting points. Their increased confidence and self-esteem has also resulted in some young people, who were previously disengaged, studying hard to achieve their future career choices. One young person who was recently admitted with a poor school attendance record is now positively engaging with a tutor and is excited to be 7 of 14 imminently starting a new school full time. Another young person is so happy here that he has requested to stay despite having to travel a significant distance to school every day.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people good

The daily life within this home enables all the young people to gain age and ability appropriate practical and social skills needed for future successful independent living. New independence packages have recently been introduced to better monitor individual progress. One young person said, 'I am happy here. The staff give me help when I need it but also let me try things myself.' Consequently, the young people are already competent in many household chores and in using public transport. They take pride in their appearance and keep their own bedrooms clean and tidy. One young person has secured a part-time job and has already been given additional hours as the employer is impressed with her attitude and hard work.

p.7

Outcomes for children and young people good

Moreover, they are actively encouraged to be sensitive to others needs by taking part in regular charitable events. Comments from young people include, 'I enjoyed taking part in fund raising and want to do it again' and, 'I enjoyed packing up the food. It made me realise that a little bit of food can make a big difference for people who live in poverty.' A recipient said, 'I have nothing but praise for the kind gesture of these young people.'

p.7

Outcomes for children and young people good

A significant number of young people have successfully moved from this home to semi-independent living with the security of on-going support from this staff team. They are also attending college which will broaden their career opportunities. One social worker said, 'This is a really good children's home. The staff are excellent and very knowledgeable. One young person is doing extremely well living independently in the community thanks to the support offered her from this home.' A young person said, 'Living at this home was a positive experience because I built up some good relationships with staff and the support still continues now I have left.'

p.7

Outcomes for children and young people good

Other young people have successfully returned home to their families. One independent reviewing officer said, 'This young person has progressed so quickly at this home due to the stability and warmth afforded him. With staff supporting his family he is now able to return home.'

p.7

Outcomes for children and young people good

Comments from parents include, 'I am really pleased with the change in my son's attitude. This home has had a huge impact on my son for the better. He is now attending school, playing in a rugby team and he can now show affection to his siblings which is really lovely to see' and, 'His life and my life is so much better since he moved to this home.'

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

8 of 14 All the young people currently living in this home, their families and social workers are extremely positive about the quality of care provided. Staff frequently receive compliments from a wide range of stakeholders.

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

This service excels at establishing extremely positive relationships with all the young people and providing a particularly nurturing environment where they can experience a genuine sense of belonging and homeliness. This has significantly increased the young people’s self-esteem and has directly resulted in a marked reduction in challenging behaviours. As an example, everyone sits down together at the dining table to enjoy homemade nutritious meals chosen by the young people. These are relaxed, social occasions to which friends and family are frequently invited.

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

Young people's wishes and feelings are always taken into account in all aspects of their care and positively acted upon if this is in their best interests. This includes complex decisions such as contact arrangements and future accommodation. They are also actively involved in developing and revising their own placement plans so they fully understand why they are currently living at the home and are in full agreement with their future plans. Consequently, they positively engage.

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

The young people know that their opinions genuinely matter and are valued, which in turn increases their self-esteem and confidence. Individual keyworker sessions are frequent and highly sensitive and relevant issues are explored in depth. An independent reviewing officer said, 'The staff have a very good rapport with the young people and always prepare them well for, and support them in, their reviews.'

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

Recent developments include excellent evidence of the consistent promotion of equality and diversity and the positive impact this has on the young people. Also, they have strengthened impact risk assessments to ensure good matching. This means the home has successfully resisted pressure to fill beds if it is not in the interests of the young people already placed.

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

Another key strength of this service is the timely provision of an excellent range of specialist services to meet the more specific and complex needs of the young people. For example, good health and well-being is actively promoted in close partnership with the specialist nurse for looked after children. She recently visited the home to explain to the young people about the importance of annual health assessments. Consequently, they are all up-to-date. The arrangements for the storage, administration and recording of medicines are safe and effective.

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

The staff have also established extremely effective partnership working with parents and professionals to secure good outcomes for all the young people. Outreach work with families is now discussed at every initial planning meeting aiming to rehabilitate home. On-going support is provided to young people who are living independently in the community to ensure their continued well-being and safety. Many young people frequently visit the home after discharge, showing the excellent relationships established with the staff. 9 of 14 Staff have high aspirations for the young people and actively challenge barriers to ensure their full participation in the local community. All the young people's achievements are celebrated and rewarded which increases their feelings of self- worth. Staff have consistently proven to be very strong and highly successful advocates. Recent examples include: young people moving to schools that best meet

p.8

Quality of care outstanding

their assessed needs; ensuring young people's legal rights; and, negotiating the re- establishment of constructive contact.

p.9

Quality of care outstanding

Staff actively support young people's education and offer a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities in the evenings and weekends. Individual interests and talents are always actively encouraged and supported which serves to further increase young people's competencies and confidence. Examples include, reading, rugby, art and free running. One young person recently had a poem published in a young writers book.

p.9

Quality of care outstanding

One member of staff has responsibility for continuously improving upon the living environment. This ensures it is maintained to a high standard at all times. It is tastefully decorated and furnished throughout and has a homely and comfortable ambience. Young people's bedrooms are personalised and there is a particularly good choice of communal rooms. The young people are noticeably very proud of the home. One young person said she loves her bedroom where she can relax and have some time on her own. She said, 'I couldn’t believe it when I came. It's really nice, warm and cosy.' An independent visitor assessing the quality of the home wrote, 'I was really impressed with the standard of all the bedrooms. They vary between immaculate and very good.'

p.9

Quality of care outstanding

Regular visitors to the home report positively on the extremely warm, friendly, welcoming and homely atmosphere created. Comments from parents include, 'The home looks and feels lovely and all my family feel extremely welcome when they visit. The care of my son is exceptional', 'I have very good communication with the staff. They are friendly and very helpful. I am impressed with the care my son is receiving' and, 'The home is very welcoming. The facilities are fantastic. The staff don’t make me feel awkward that my child is living there, which is very important to me.'

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are very happy and settled at this home. They feel safe, secure, well supported and part of the local community so they have established a strong sense of belonging.

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe good

Social workers confirm good collaborative working to safeguard and promote the young people's welfare. Comments include, 'The staff at this home went the extra mile to keep this young person safe. This has been her happiest and most stable 10 of 14 placement' and, 'This home have worked so hard to safeguard this young person in line with a robust risk management plan. Communication and sharing of information is excellent.' A parent wrote, 'The staff do a good job of safeguarding my son.'

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe good

All the young people currently living at this home get on very well with each other. Staff take a proactive approach to any potential bullying.

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

This experienced staff team are well trained and feel very confident in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of looked after children and in appropriately managing a wide variety and complexity of needs and challenging behaviours. They work very flexibly to keep young people safe. Young people have also benefitted from targeted work to raise their awareness of risks and to explore appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe when enjoying independence in the community and using the internet.

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff have a very good knowledge of the individual young people. They are, therefore, able to recognise potential triggers and successfully diffuse challenging behaviours. Consequently, the use of restraint is rare. One young person said, 'Staff know to wait until I stop feeling angry and then they help me sort things out when I am calm again. They are great at listening to me.' An independent visitor assessing the safeguarding arrangements in place wrote, 'I observed very good negotiation skills by a member of staff when dealing with an angry young person. The worker was appropriate and firm and the episode was short-lived by this prompt and skilled response. The young person calmed and was later able to reflect on his emotional outburst.'

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people benefit from very clear, fair and consistent boundaries so they know exactly what is expected of them. They are demonstrably thriving on the positive reinforcement of their good behaviour and effort.

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

Moreover, they are actively involved in negotiating the sanctions imposed so they feel they are always fair and proportionate to the particular misdemeanour.

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

Good staffing ratios are maintained at all times. Individual risks are clearly identified and well managed. This enables the most vulnerable young people to take age appropriate risks as a fundamental part of growing up.

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

The excellent care and support provided to young people and the very effective joint arrangements in place with the local police has resulted in a significant reduction in both the frequency and duration of missing from home incidents. One young person described as a, 'prolific absconder' is now rarely missing. Another young person said, 'Before I came here I was reported missing 57 times. I have not gone missing once here. I like it and don’t want to go out. I feel safe and enjoy relaxing in the home.'

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

The police say, 'We are extremely impressed with the work done by this home which has resulted in a vast improvement in the number of reported missing from home 11 of 14 incidents. The staff are always pro-active in their actions to safeguard young people' and, 'Such good collaborative working makes our job easier.'

p.10

Keeping children and young people safe good

Since the last inspection all staff have had training on the new joint protocols and have significantly tightened up on ensuring the timeliness of return interviews by social workers. This gives young people the opportunity to talk about their reasons for running away. None relate to unhappiness in the home. The majority is the pull of peer groups and families. One young person said 'I like living here. I just wanted to be with my friends.'

p.11

Keeping children and young people safe good

The home have completed a location risk assessment demonstrating that this home is well located in a low risk area. 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. Young people take part in regular fire drills so they know exactly what to do in the event of a real fire.

p.11

Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff recruitment files are well maintained. They demonstrate robust procedures and a safe and competent workforce. This home is particularly stringent about checking the identity of visitors to the home. Although no agency staff are used here, they have recently strengthened the recruitment process should they be required in the future. Police checks have been updated on all the staff team as an added safeguard.

p.11

Leadership and management adequate

The registered manager of this home is on long term sick. Ofsted have been kept fully informed of the interim arrangements in place which have been satisfactory throughout. These regular updates evidence good support from senior managers within this organisation. This has maintained staff's motivation and morale. An application has now been sent to Ofsted to register the suitably qualified and very experienced deputy who has been successfully managing the home for the last two months. She is very child focussed, and particularly strong on safeguarding and promoting equality and diversity. She provides very clear direction, good support and supervision to the staff and leads by example in actively driving continuous improvements. Comments from staff include, 'The acting manager is an absolute asset to the team and has taken the time to invest in me', 'We are given a lot of useful information in team meetings. We can contribute to the agenda and we have

p.11

Leadership and management adequate

very open and honest discussions' and, 'I am well supported by the team and my managers who are accessible and approachable to discuss any matters at any time.'

p.11

Leadership and management adequate

The manager and two deputies are specifically trained to supervise staff. This ensures that the needs of the individual young people, the service in general and staff's personal development needs are fully explored every month. However, the supervision tracking record does not detail the length of each session as a means of demonstrating the depth of the discussions. 12 of 14 Timely annual staff appraisals are undertaken to explore continued personal development and on-going training needs. This process has been further strengthened to include young people's views. Examples include, 'My keyworker is funny and puts a smile on my face. He is really thoughtful and caring' and, 'All the staff are amazing and my keyworker is excellent. She always has time for me, listens to me and talks to me like an adult. She sorted out my contact.'

p.11

Leadership and management adequate

The management team are clear about the many strengths of their service and can demonstrate the very positive impact living at this home has on each young person. A realistic, yet challenging development plan is in place to drive continuous improvements.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

The one requirement made at the last interim inspection on 12 March 2014 has been positively responded to. Consequently, there is a significant increase in consultations with families as part of the monthly independent monitoring of the home.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

Three monthly reviews by the manager of the quality of care provided in the home are very detailed and clearly demonstrate a commitment to constantly improving upon the services provided. Consequently, there are a significant number of positive developments since the last inspection. However, these reports do not demonstrate consultations with young people, their parents and social workers and an evaluation of how practice might be improved as a direct consequence of their feedback.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

The Statement of Purpose is frequently revised to ensure it always accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices and staffing of the home. Young people are also given a user friendly and meaningful children's guide during the admission process so they understand the services provided.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

This home is always well staffed and a gender balance maintained to meet the diverse needs of all the young people placed. The vast majority of the team are highly experienced and have the qualifications required of their respective roles. They also benefit from a wide range of relevant training opportunities. In addition, the acting manager has attended a number of advanced courses and has presented this training to staff. This has demonstrably increased their awareness of: child sexual exploitation; child trafficking; deprivation of liberty; asylum seekers; forced marriages; internet safety; and, self harm. Individual staff have distinct roles to research, actively promote and lead on, for example, equality and diversity issues, good health and safeguarding.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

Significant events are notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. These demonstrate good collaborative working with relevant agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people.

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

Young people's files are securely stored and well maintained. They provide an accurate, positive and extremely personalised account of their background, progress, achievements and future goals. Young people have now started their own memory 13 of 14 books of their highly positive experiences at this home. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.12

Leadership and management adequate

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.14

Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

p.14

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.14

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.14

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.14

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.

p.14

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.

p.14