Children's Home run by Frances House Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC403462 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Charlotte Louise Cooke Date of last inspection 20/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 28/10/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

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

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Overall effectiveness

This home consistently provides outstanding outcomes for young people in all areas of their lives. Long-term placements allow young people to settle and stabilise their attitudes and behaviour as they work through difficulties in a safe and supportive environment. As a result, they develop and progress socially, emotionally and educationally.

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Overall effectiveness

Boundaries are clearly defined, giving young people a feeling of safety and security. They receive a high consistency of care from a stable staff team who share and support the ethos and culture that has grown in the home over the years. As a result, young people thrive in an environment that is supportive, nurturing and child- friendly.

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Overall effectiveness

Aspirations for all young people are high. As they journey through the home, they adopt more socially acceptable lifestyles and develop greater awareness about keeping themselves safe. Challenging or unsafe behaviour is managed effectively by a skilled team of staff capable of initiating safe working practices. This is underpinned by the high levels of respect that exist within the home between young people and staff. This allows young people to develop strong relationships with adults they trust, respect and like. 3 of 11 Levels of communication between staff and young people are exceptionally high. This is noted by one of the external professionals consulted who says; `this is a home where staff listen to young people and act on what they hear.’ The strong relationships and levels of daily communication reflect the pro-active culture of the home where issues are dealt with calmly, sensibly and without the need for crisis

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Overall effectiveness

management. This shows young people that their views do matter and are taken seriously.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people develop emotionally and socially as they grow in confidence and progress. Past behaviours are modified, with young people being prepared to adopt a lifestyle where they reconnect with their education, formulate clear ambitions for the future and develop a social conscience that encourages them to help others that are less well off than themselves. For example, two young people are involved in voluntary work which has led to them having aspirations of developing careers in social care.

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Overall effectiveness

The leadership, management and organisation within the home are excellent. The structure of the home focusses entirely on the needs of young people. Diligent and continuous monitoring of working practices identifies strengths and weaknesses, which are reflected with suitable plans in place for continued development.

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection has not raised any areas of concern and the report does not include any requirements. One recommendation has been made following an enforced change to the professional supervision of the manager. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to five young people, of both genders, between the ages of 11 and 17 years. The home cares for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2014 Interim good progress 20/08/2013 Full outstanding 07/03/2013 Interim good progress 14/08/2012 Full outstanding

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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 suitable arrangements exist for the professional supervision of the Registered Manager. (NMS 19.3) 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are different stages of their journey through the home, but based on their starting points, are achieving outstanding outcomes in all areas of their lives. Living in a safe and secure environment allows young people to stabilise past behaviours, develop positive relationships with others and develop greater confidence and resilience as they progress towards adulthood.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people speak positively about the staff and the home. One young person who has lived in the home for some time says, `I am achieving so much, I love living here and I love the staff.' Individuality is acknowledged, with each young person treated as an individual whose views and opinions contribute towards the daily functioning of the home. This is acknowledged by professionals who visit the home regularly with one saying, `this is a home where staff listen to young people and act on what they hear.' A close relation of one young person comments on her progress by saying `I can't praise them (staff) enough. She is turning into a young woman who is growing in confidence and ambition.'

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home looks to promote contact with appropriate family and friends, although arrangements can be complex at times to ensure safety. Opportunities are actively sought to build relationships. For example, since the previous inspection, staff and young people jointly planned and ran a family day at the home, where family and other significant people were invited to the home for a meal and fun day.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Educational outcomes for all young people living at the home, based on their starting points are exceptional. All have full-time educational placements, with very high levels of attendance being achieved. Young people with a past history of disengagement are supported and encouraged successfully to re-engage positively with their education. As a result, achievements are outstanding. For example, two young people completed their formal education in the summer. Both achieved exam results that have allowed them to embark on further educational courses of their choice, which will lead them into careers such as nursing and social care.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The overall health needs of young people are promoted positively. Suitable arrangements exist to meet day-to-day health needs and the home has developed excellent links to external services that provide more specialised input, if required. As a result, young people's physical, emotional and psychological needs are well met.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Health promotion is taken seriously. For example, since the previous inspection, the home has introduced schemes linked to promoting exercise and smoking cessation. Following suitable training, one young person is delivering short courses to other young people in schools and other environments warning against the dangers of drugs and alcohol. This is a good example of the home promoting a social conscience 6 of 11 in young people and in them developing the confidence to allow them to undertake such a task.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home is well established within the community, having developed excellent relationships with neighbours and community leaders. For example, one young person spoke about attending a recent community meeting with a staff member where she said she was `proud to tell them about where I live.' Another spoke about the voluntary work she does with a local Mencap group. The home has maintained its strong links with the multi-cultural community that surrounds them. For example, cards wishing neighbours well for Eid were delivered by young people. Photographs give an insight into the community based activities taking place.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Planning for transition and independence commences early with young people's participation in the homes’ daily routines. The home has its own independence training programme, which has been improved since the previous inspection with the introduction of a new independence toolkit. This allows young people to develop practical skills and gather appropriate information that can be retained and used as a reference point when they move on. This is a fine example of a home constantly looking to develop practice and improve outcomes for young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are encouraged to take some responsibility and become involved in aspects of the home's life and development. This includes staff recruitment, planning holidays, events and taking ownership for certain areas of the homes' daily routines. For example, being responsible for their bedrooms and in the choice of décor. They live in an inclusive environment where their views and ideas are actively sought and acted upon. They are given opportunities to take ownership in certain aspects of the home, giving them greater self-esteem and confidence. This in turn gives young people the practical skills and experiences to help in their preparation for independence and a sense of what they can expect once they move on.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people benefit from receiving an outstanding quality of care. This view is supported by young people, their family members and other professionals who deal with the home on a regular basis. For example, the social worker of one young person says, `the home is very resourceful in how they can meet a young person's needs.' Another social worker identifies an area of strength as the staff, who have ‘a real passion for their young people to succeed and achieve.'

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Quality of care outstanding

The home has developed an ethos and culture that is unique to them. It is based on developing a trusting and nurturing environment, which actively supports young people through difficult and stressful times. This enhances the development and retention of the meaningful, trusting relationships which develop between staff and young people. The staff understand the individual needs of each young person in their care, allowing them to work pro-actively to prevent potential crises. This 7 of 11 contributes significantly to reducing the number of serious behaviour management incidents that occur in the home.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people understand how to make a complaint and are confident to do so if they feel aggrieved. Complaints are taken seriously and acted on in a timely manner. They have free access to information which promotes their rights and highlights the complaints procedure. However, young people confirm they approach staff to voice their worries and concerns at any time, reducing the need to make a formal complaint.

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Quality of care outstanding

On-going, daily consultation is a strength of the home. Young people confirm they are satisfied with the opportunities they have to contribute towards daily life within the home. More formalised areas for consultation exist such as monthly community meetings and key worker sessions. Young people also have the opportunity each month to speak directly with the manager during one-to-one social occasions such as lunch out. This gives them an opportunity to express views and make suggestions. This is a new initiative introduced since the previous inspection and an excellent example of going that extra mile to ensure all young people have a voice within the home.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home has a range of high quality, detailed planning documentation and assessments of risk. When read collectively, these identify the needs of a young person, along with the plans and strategies put into place to meet those needs. They are updated regularly to keep them current. Young people have ownership, being able to demonstrate a complete understanding of the plans in place for them. This gives them a clear sense of direction and input regarding their own progress and future. Detailed, high quality monthly updates are sent to each young person's social worker to keep them well informed. Family members spoken with confirm they are kept up to date and demonstrate an understanding of these plans.

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Quality of care outstanding

This is a home where young people and staff actively enjoy each other's company, with both parties engaging in a wide range of group activities. Young people also follow their own individual interests and leisure pursuits. Activities are meaningful, purposeful and serve to develop and sustain relationships. For example, all young people took part in the choice and planning process that went into them going abroad for a summer holiday. Photographs reflect the positive experiences gained.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The arrangements in place to safeguard and protect young people remain outstanding. The excellent links and working practices with external agencies, charged with protecting young people, remain intact. This view is backed up by others. For example, with one external professional saying, `this home ticks all the boxes with a secure environment where young people feel safe.' All young people living in the home make it clear they feel safe and like living the home. 8 of 11 The staff work proactively with young people which reduces considerably situations where young people find themselves at risk. Staff members are knowledgeable in safeguarding and understand their role, responsibilities and duties in promoting young people's welfare and in keeping them safe. All staff receive safeguarding training which is updated annually. Their knowledge of young people's individual needs, coupled with a detailed knowledge of the surrounding community, continue to

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

provide a sound mechanism for responding to young people's changing needs for safety and protection.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Bullying is not an area of current concern to young people and is not raised as an issue. They confirm staff quickly challenge and intervene should an incident occur, giving them a feeling of security and general safety.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff have a focus and commitment to stop young people from going missing. Should an incident occur, procedures are effective in retrieving young people quickly. This is based on the excellent knowledge staff have of young people, as well as the local area and where a young person is likely to be. The home maintains effective working practices with police and has recently improved the quality and presentation of information that is passed to police should a young person go missing. This has enhanced a system previously viewed as outstanding. This multi-agency response to missing young people minimises situations where they can become vulnerable or put themselves at risk. Incidents of young people going missing from the home have been rare since the previous inspection.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people confirm that good behaviour is rewarded and view the rules and boundaries in place as fair. They recognise that staff genuinely care and worry about them. For example, one young person spoke in some detail when comparing the attitude of staff in this home favourably towards staff in other homes she has lived in. The staff work in a pro-active way, being positive rather than punitive, even during times of difficulty and challenge. They are clear that physical intervention is used only as a last resort, which is reflected in the low number of incidents taking place since the previous inspection. Consistent and effective monitoring of all behaviour management incidents ensures that young people’s individual strategies are kept under review and adapted as required. Overall, serious behaviour management incidents in the home although rare, are safely managed.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There has been no real change to the staff team since the previous inspection which has contributed to the consistency of care enjoyed by young people. However, appropriate recruitment policies and practice are in place. These ensure new staff are suitably recruited and cleared prior to taking up their posts. The home has adopted a policy of re-checking longer serving staff over a three year cycle. This is viewed as good practice and goes some way to ensuring that only suitably checked people have contact with young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home has in place a range of range of risk assessments identifying hazards in 9 of 11 and away from the home. Young people confirm they understand the routines around fire and participate in regular fire drills. They have all joined staff in formal training around fire prevention which is viewed as an outstanding development. Safety checks to maintain a safe environment are undertaken regularly.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The leadership, organisation and management of the home are outstanding. An experienced, well qualified manager is well supported by a dedicated staff team who are fully committed to the ethos, culture and working practices built up in the home over the years. The manager is fully focussed on the needs of both young people and staff and has an excellent record in driving the home forward to improve outcomes for young people.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The staff team receive formal supervision and appraisal consistently, with staff confirming they feel well supported by the management team. Since the previous inspection, due to a change of circumstances, the professional supervision received by the manager from an external source has ceased. Although receiving supervision and support regularly from directors, alternative arrangements for the professional supervision of the manager have yet to be implemented. However, it is noted that the current arrangements have not led to any noticeable deterioration in the way the home is run and managed.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Staff and young people benefit from the home having a strong commitment to training. Training which introduces staff to new learning as well as revising set knowledge and skill basis, takes place regularly. An area deemed as outstanding is the inclusion of young people in appropriate training days. For example, since the previous inspection both staff and young people jointly received training in first aid which was on-going when the inspection commenced, fire safety, health and safety, health and nutrition and sexual health. Alcohol and drug awareness training, prepared and presented by one of the young people, has also taken place.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The internal and external monitoring of the home takes place regularly and meets with regulatory requirements. Monitoring is an area of strength, with weekly monitoring feeding into monthly evaluation. This provides for excellent and detailed updates of young people which social workers receive monthly. All aspects of the homes functioning is effectively monitored and evaluated, which is reflected in the home's written development plan. Ways of improving the evaluative content of the managers own monitoring were discussed during the inspection. This reflects the managers’ quest for continued improvement.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home has an excellent record of compliance and no requirements or recommendations were carried over from the previous inspection. The home continues to demonstrate its capacity for continued improvement with a number of new initiatives introduced since the previous inspection. For example, recent 10 of 11 developments have included a new policy linked to internet safety, the attendance of the manager at young people's meetings at their request and improved safety of the home and young people through the installation of external cameras to the front and rear of the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home had a major refurbishment last year which has resulted in a high standard of décor, furnishings, fittings and equipment being in place. Single occupancy bedrooms are personalised to reflect the interest of the occupant. The two bathrooms used by young people are looking tired and old fashioned, but plans to replace them are at an advanced stage. Young people are relaxed and at ease in the home, which creates a cosy, homely environment which they appreciate. Photographs and mementos on display reflect young people’s positive experiences.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people make it clear they like living at the home. They are proud to live in it and take ownership of certain aspects of the homes operation. For example, following verbal feedback given by the inspector to the manager and a director of the home, the inspector was met by the young people who were anxious to know the outcome of the inspection. At their request and with the manager’s permission, young people were provided with a verbal feedback session of their own. This demonstrates the commitment, security and pride young people have about the home they live in, which is a positive reflection of the inclusive environment they live in. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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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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