Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039683 Inspector Graham Robinson 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 Caroline Holmes Date of last inspection 24/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 03/11/2014

p.1

Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

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

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Over time, young people experience outstanding outcomes in all areas of their lives. This is reflected in the young people who are currently living at the home and who are at different stages of their ‘journey’. The three young people who have lived in the home for five months or more are experiencing positive outcomes in all areas of their lives compared to their respective starting points. The two young people who are still relatively new are becoming more established and are making significant progress.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Being a local authority service, young people come to the home either as part of a planned admission or in an emergency. This can, and has on occasions, resulted in an incompatible mix of young people. However, with better use made of impact risk assessments and with the manager taking more responsibility for admissions, there is now a more compatible peer group. This has had a stabilising effect, enabling all young people to make significant progress.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people’s needs are complex and wide-ranging. However, their needs are recognised and there are individualised plans and strategies in place to meet them. A stable, motivated and well-organised staff group provide young people with a home in which they are able to settle and form strong relationships with appropriate role models. Young people experience a consistency of care that supports them 3 of 11 through difficult and challenging periods. As a result, behaviour and attitudes change allowing young people to adopt more socially acceptable lifestyles and, having done so, go on to achieve their full potential socially, emotionally and educationally.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from the structured boundaries in place which are consistently enforced. The home’s collaboration, and strong working relationships, with partner agencies provide young people with a safe environment where they feel comfortable. Strong, trusting relationships develop which often last after a young person has left the home. This is demonstrated by the high number of young people who return to the home for continued support from a staff group they trust and have genuine affection for.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

The home is managed by an experienced manager who is well supported by the staff team. The staff group is stable; there have been no changes since the previous inspection. The staff work pro-actively with young people to ensure that behaviour is well managed. For example, the strategies used with one young person, who had a history of having been regularly restrained in their previous placement, have meant that it has not been necessary to use restraint.

p.3

Overall effectiveness

Monitoring within the home is excellent. Strengths and weaknesses are recognised and there are suitable plans in place to move the home forward as part of a commitment to continuous improvement. This inspection has not identified any major areas of concern; no requirements or recommendations have been made. However some areas for further development were discussed during the inspection, notably linked to internal and external monitoring. 4 of 11

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that local authority.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/02/2014 Interim good progress 02/12/2013 Full outstanding 21/02/2013 Interim good progress 25/10/2012 Full outstanding 5 of 11

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Outcomes for young people are outstanding. Consistency of care and a safe environment allow young people to settle, take stock of their lives and move forward. As this happens young people's decision-making improves, helping them to adopt safer and more socially acceptable lifestyles and enabling them to achieve. Young people recognise this. One young person said; `I was all over the place at first, but now I am doing well. The staff help and stick by me.' Another young person, who left the home recently, said; `I owe them a lot, I would not be where I am now without the support of staff.'

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Staff work flexibly to support and facilitate appropriate contact arrangements, some of which can be complex and stressful. Through regular negotiation with family members and by supporting young people with contact as and when required, staff try to ensure that all parties benefit from the contact arrangements in place. As a result, young people are able to maintain contact with their families and with those who are important to them.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Educational outcomes for young people are outstanding. Appropriate educational arrangements are in place for each young person and the home has an excellent record of getting them back into education. For example, both the social worker and the deputy head teacher of a school attended by one young person spoke very positively about the way staff have worked effectively with the young person concerned. The young person, who at one stage was totally disengaged from education and was refusing to wear a school uniform, is now achieving full attendance and is always well presented in uniform. High levels of attendance mean that all young people’s educational attainment is being maximised.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The day-to-day health needs of young people are being consistently met. Staff are successful in persuading young people, with a history of not caring about their own health, to attend appropriate health appointments. For example, one young person who had constantly refused to go to the dentist is now part way through a dental treatment plan. Excellent working relationships between the home and external specialist services ensure that any specialist input required is delivered. For example, a range of specialists regularly visit the home to work directly with young people and provide advice to staff. This ensures young people's physical, emotional and psychological needs are being well met.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are encouraged to take an active role in shopping, planning menus and preparing meals, as part of their journey towards greater independence. Meals are nutritious, balanced and provide for choice and individual tastes. For example, for one evening meal, three separate dishes were prepared to suit individual taste. Young people are encouraged to try unfamiliar foods, appreciate different cultures and try 6 of 11 international cuisine. Festivals and religious events are regularly celebrated. No issues or concerns were raised by young people either about health matters or the food they eat.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home supports and encourages young people to adopt more healthy lifestyles through exercise and diet. Whilst a challenge, smoking cessation is actively promoted within the home. Young people are also given advice and information about drugs and alcohol, as well as sexual health and more generalised health information, by a range of visiting professionals. As a result young people are healthier and fitter.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home is well established in the community. Young people are encouraged to get involved in community life and make a positive contribution to the wider community. For example, recently young people took an active role in raising money for charities such as Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Nurses. Photographs around the home reflect the pleasure experienced collectively by young people and staff in raising those funds. These and other activities help young people to develop greater social awareness.

p.6

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home has excellent tried and tested arrangements to support young people and prepare them for independence. For example, pathway plans are completed jointly by the home and the young person's social worker. This ensures that all areas that need to be developed are recognised and included. Staff develop excellent insight into young people's strengths and needs through their daily contact with them. Their involvement in pathway planning ensures that pathway plans are individualised to meet those needs.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

The quality of care received by young people is outstanding. Staff are fully committed to supporting young people through difficult and challenging periods. This is recognised by others. For example the social worker of one young person stated; `Staff have really worked hard and not shied away when the placement could have been terminated.' The resilience and commitment shown by staff allows young people to work through difficulties in a safe and supportive environment, one in which they develop trust and strong relationships with appropriate adults.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

Staff are imaginative in the way in which they engage and work with young people. For example, they bought a construction set for one young person who was causing damage to the home by dismantling various objects. This has had a positive effect; no further damage has been reported. Staff have high aspirations for the young people; they advocate on their behalf and work consistently to ensure young people are given appropriate opportunities. For example, by securing appropriate education for young people and ensuring they re-engage positively with education. This gives young people a strong message that people do care about them and will take appropriate steps to ensure they have the same opportunities in life as other young 7 of 11 people.

p.6

Quality of care outstanding

Young people understand how to make a complaint and are confident to do so. They have easy access to information about complaints, their rights and independent advocacy support to help them make a complaint if they wish to do so. Complaints are taken seriously and addressed in a timely manner. However, young people say that they feel able to resolve most issues through dialogue with staff, without having to make a formal complaint.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

Consultation is a regular feature of daily life in the home, reflecting excellent levels of on-going communication between staff and young people. Young people recognise that young people's meetings and sessions with their key workers provide opportunities for them to express their thoughts and opinions. As a result of feedback recently received, the manager is now staying late one evening a week in order to attend young people's meetings. This was in response to young people saying they wished to see more of her; it also has the potential to speed up the decision-making process following any requests made at those meetings. This is an outstanding example of the quality of the relationships in the home and the effectiveness of consultation in the home. Not only does it empower young people by giving them control over certain areas of their lives, it also shows that their thoughts, opinions and feelings do matter and are taken seriously.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

Young people and staff are relaxed with each other and actively enjoy each others’ company. Within the clear structure and boundaries laid out, there is a flexibility which contributes towards the relaxed atmosphere noted throughout the inspection. For example, during the inspection the usual evening routine was set aside to allow staff and young people to get ready to go to a community bonfire together.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

A range of individualised planning documents and risk assessments accurately identify the needs of each young person, with plans and strategies in place to meet those needs. They are updated regularly. When read collectively, they give an excellent insight into the progress made by each young person, as well as highlighting areas of continued need. Young people and their social workers confirm that they are involved in the planning process in a way that gives young people in particular a clear sense of direction. Staff demonstrate they have an excellent insight into, and understanding of, the individual needs of all the young people in their care and detailed knowledge of the plans in place to address those needs.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

This home is modern, welcoming and homely. It is well maintained; equipment, fixtures, furnishings and décor are kept to a high standard of repair. Plans for the home to be re-furbished are at an advanced stage, which is an excellent example of the proactive approach taken by the home. Young people are seen to be comfortable and relaxed in their environment which has a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Young people have their own bedrooms which are personalised and decorated to suit their individual tastes and interests. Photographs and mementos on display reflect young people’s positive experiences and celebrate success. 8 of 11 As they establish themselves in the home, young people integrate well into the local community; many of them enjoy active social lives. Shared activities take place regularly. For example, recent activities included special arrangements for Halloween and shopping trips. Activities to community-based facilities take place regularly.

p.7

Quality of care outstanding

Young people are also encouraged to pursue their individual interests. For example, one young person has had singing lessons. This is an area of strength for the home reflecting the strong relationships in place. Young people have scrapbooks filled with photographic memories of events and activities, which they keep and take with them when they move on. This is excellent practice.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There are outstanding arrangements in place to safeguard and protect young people. Excellent links with external agencies charged with keeping young people safe ensure that there is a multi-agency response as soon as a young person is at risk. For example, there were serious concerns about one young person shortly after they had moved into the home because of their actions and previous history. Staff worked collaboratively with external agencies to keep the young person safe. As a result, the young person is now settled into the placement and is no longer involved in risk- taking behaviour. Given the young person’s starting point, this is an outstanding achievement.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff are very aware of the vulnerability of young people and of their ability to bully others. Staff work pro-actively to counteract bullying. Good staffing levels reduce opportunities for bullying and help create an environment in which any form of bullying is not tolerated. Young people confirm that bullying is not an area of concern for them, acknowledging that staff intervene quickly if an incident occurs. As a result, young people live in an environment in which they feel safe and secure.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff work proactively with young people to stop them going missing. For example, recently one young person, who had previously had a history of going missing, became upset and agitated following a phone call. Staff followed the young person outside and successfully persuaded them to return to the home. Not only was this a good example of following the agreed local protocols, it also demonstrated how a proactive approach can lead to a positive outcome.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff have the ability to work through periods of difficulty and serious challenge in a supportive, rather than a punitive, way. All such periods have been well managed since the last inspection resulting in increased stability. This reflects well on a settled and experienced staff group who have the skills and vision to overcome difficulties and challenges through the high quality and consistency of care that they provide and which is a strong feature of this home.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff are clear that physical intervention is used only as a last resort; strategies for 9 of 11 dealing with confrontational behaviour are successfully implemented to ensure that the use of physical intervention is rare. Behaviour management strategies are kept under review and adapted as required. This ensures that any serious incidents are safely managed.

p.8

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home has not recruited any staff who are new to the authority for some years. However, there are appropriate recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that any new staff are safely recruited and cleared prior to taking up their posts. Current working practices ensure that checks on existing members of staff are renewed at regular three year intervals. This ensures that only suitably checked people have contact with young people.

p.9

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

A range of risk assessments, which are updated annually, ensure that risks both inside and outside the home are identified. Safety checks are regularly undertaken. Regular fire drills mean that young people know how to exit the building quickly and safely in the event of a fire. Annual safety checks and servicing of equipment are carried out within the required timescale. As a result, young people live in an environment which keeps them protected and safe.

p.9

Leadership and management outstanding

The leadership, management and organisation of the home is outstanding. The staff are well led by an experienced, well qualified manager who has been in post for a number of years. Staff are supportive of the culture, ethos and working practices developed in the home over a number of years. This has resulted in staff working collectively, as part of a team-centred approach, to provide young people with consistent high quality care.

p.9

Leadership and management outstanding

The manager has a strong commitment to professional development and staff training. This is reflected in the rigorous implementation of the supervision and appraisal programme. An ongoing, core training programme allows staff to regularly refresh their knowledge and skills, including for example safeguarding, first aid and physical intervention. This level of training ensures staff develop and retain the skills needed to effectively look after the diverse needs of the young people in their care.

p.9

Leadership and management outstanding

The home also makes good use of staff meetings to which a variety of outside professionals have been invited to deliver training on specific issues that may be affecting the home at that time. For example, one of the most recent events looked at self-harm. This approach is another example of the home’s continued commitment to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of staff, while at the same time looking to improve outcomes for young people.

p.9

Leadership and management outstanding

The local authority recently revised its arrangements for conducting the external monitoring of the home. This has led to improvements in the quality of the visits and the evaluative element of the monitoring reports. The manager's own internal 10 of 11 monitoring is excellent; ongoing monitoring is used effectively to improve practice. For example, the manager produces a monthly action plan based on the information collated. This brings together areas of progress as well as areas to be addressed.

p.9

Leadership and management outstanding

These actions plans are an excellent addition to the overall internal monitoring of the home. Information from them is included in the quarterly monitoring reports which are sent to Ofsted and in the written development plans for the home. Further improvements to the effectiveness of both the internal and external monitoring of the home were discussed during the inspection. This reflects the manager’s desire for continued improvement.

p.10

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 continuous improvement. For example new initiatives introduced since the previous inspection include: appraisals made on staff by young people; bringing in external professionals to run a six-week information course for young people on domestic abuse; and new display boards covering areas such as drugs, health and well-being, and domestic abuse.

p.10

Leadership and management outstanding

The home excels in getting young people to settle and adopt more socially acceptable lifestyles. Effective work is undertaken to re-engage young people both socially and educationally. Young people also develop greater awareness of how to keep themselves safe. This is a home that has achieved an outstanding rating for a number of years. The energy and commitment of staff to improve outcomes for young people means it is a home that has the ability to review its working practices and make the changes necessary for continued improvement. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.10

Leadership and management outstanding

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.11

Judgement Description

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

p.11

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.11

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.11

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.11

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.11