Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC380956 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person North East Lincolnshire Council Registered person address Vulnerable Children Management Team Western Site, Cambridge Road Grimsby Lincolnshire DN34 5TD Responsible individual Daren Russell Hale Registered manager Sandra Elaine Snell Date of last inspection 17/03/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 12/11/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Exceptional care planning, both for young people attending the respite provision and those receiving emergency care, ensure that young people's holistic needs are identified and met. Young people make good progress in all areas of their lives, but in particular staying safe, building self-esteem and managing inappropriate behaviours. As a result relationships with families are much improved reducing the need for young people to be admitted into the looked after system. A parent said, 'The service they offer is absolutely fantastic for mums like me who struggle. Staff are fantastic, if it wasn’t for them I would have cracked up.'

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are unanimously positive about the care they receive in the home. They enjoy having the opportunity to express their views in a positive manner and feel that these are heard and valued. Parents report very positively about the care young people receive, the progress their young people are making and the improvement in family relationships as a result of this care. A parent stated, 'Both (name) and (name) are making progress. It’s like having an extra aunty and uncle to help us, they are like an external family influence.'

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Overall effectiveness

Staff and young people enjoy positive relationships with each other. The atmosphere of mutual warmth and respect emboldens young people to express themselves positively. They learn valuable life and social skills from the positive role modelling 3 of 12 displayed by staff. A young person said, 'I really look forward to coming here because it is so much fun and I can talk to staff. I really trust them to listen to me and I can just be me here.'

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are, and feel, safe in this home. This is corroborated by parents and professionals. This sense of security and belonging enables young people to thrive. A young person said, 'I am safe and I am growing up safely here. I've learnt other ways of not getting too angry and I think I will learn patience.'

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Overall effectiveness

This is a good home overall. The committed and proactive management team recognise and consistently build on the areas of strength. This ensures that a well supported and skilled staff team meet the needs of and safeguard young people. The areas of development are linked to the quality of recording processes and are reflected in the one requirement and two recommendations made at this inspection. These are to update the home’s Statement of Purpose to reflect the use of the emergency bed more fully; to ensure that all staff are familiar with and implement the home’s policies on record keeping and for the manager’s auditing processes to include monitoring of the standards of recording to ensure compliance. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority young people's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home provides a service for families with young people on the verge of coming into the care system and struggling to maintain their education. The short break is agreed with the young person and their families or carers. Stays at the home are short breaks of one or two nights' duration usually within a two- weekly period.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/03/2014 Interim good progress 02/10/2013 Full good 09/01/2013 Interim good progress 07/09/2012 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

4 (2001) ensure that the home's Statement of Purpose includes all matters listed in Schedule 1, in particular the policies and procedures for emergency admission. (Regulation 4 (Schedule 1) (11)) 28/11/2014

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Recommendations

5 of 12 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 all staff are familiar with home’s policies on record keeping, trained to maintain them and to understand the need to be careful, objective and clear when making records ((Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations, Volume 5: Children’s Homes, paragraph 3.28)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home’s policies and immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (NMS 21.2) 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people come to this service in times of emotional and family upheaval with the risk of them becoming accommodated in the care system. Young people are supported to continue to live with their families or carers or, often after an emergency admission, fully supported to move constructively to an alternative safe placement.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make excellent progress in developing social skills and understanding and managing their negative emotions. As a result of the sustainable attachments they form with staff and each other, young people’s emotional resilience improves enabling them to make sense of the impact that their family relationships have on their lives today. The resultant growth in self-confidence and their ability to express emotion positively enables young people’s relationship with their family members to improve. Consequently, if it is safe for them to do so, young people are able to remain living with their families. This maintains those important familial and cultural links sustaining young people’s sense of identity and belonging. A young person said, 'I feel my behaviour has got so much better since I've been able to come here and I'm not going to end up in care now.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people attending for respite care are all enrolled in school or alternative educational provision. Their attendance improves as a result of the staff's proactive intervention with schools on their behalf and support to maintain their presence there. Young people are further supported in their education achievement by the good use of the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) programme within the home. This provides young people with the opportunity to gain knowledge and certificates in practical and life skills, for example introduction to sexual health, skin and nail care and using the internet safely. Young people's interest in education and ambition for their futures improve as a result of this positive involvement in learning.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people's holistic health needs improve as they learn the importance of healthy eating and participating in regular physical exercise. They work together with staff in cooking and eating the vegetables and fruit they have grown in the garden. In addition, young people learn how to ride, repair and maintain bicycles in the home's 'Studio 51' bicycle project. Young people's emotional and physical well-being are enhanced by these experiences.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop confidence in their abilities to express their views and opinions as a result of the opportunities provided for them to make a positive contribution to their home and community. Formal young people meetings and link worker sessions, as well as chats over the tea table, empower young people to make suggestions as to decoration for the home, activities and meals. Young people further benefit from inclusion in a national food distribution organisation where they collect and distribute food parcels to local facilities. Young people’s feelings of self-esteem and self-worth 7 of 12 improve as they realise that their contribution to their community is valuable and that they are included and important. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) said, 'He is making really good progress there. I am just so pleased with the socialisation progress for him.'

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Quality of care outstanding

The consistently warm and nurturing staff team are positive role models for young people. As a result young people trust staff, enjoy the time they spend with them and feel safe and cared for. Respite stays are planned carefully so that young people who will enjoy a positive experience together and benefit from each other’s company, come on the same evening. Young people learn social and life skills and behave appropriately as a result. A young person said, 'I like my key worker so much that I started modelling myself on her. I dyed my hair black and wore it in a heavy fringe but then I realised I don't have to look like her to be like her. I could listen and talk and so I'm trying that now.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people feel listened to in this home where their views are regularly captured to enhance care. As a result young people feel that their views are valuable and they have a contribution to make. Young people know and understand the complaints system. They are further provided with the opportunity to share any complaint in the regular young people’s meetings. There have not been any complaints. Young people use the home's 'Grumbles/Niggles' book to record more minor issues. For example, one young person requested a specific outing to an adventure park in a wood. He and other young people were taken on this inclusive activity during the summer holiday. Afterwards the young person wrote, ‘It was great, best day ever’.

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Quality of care outstanding

Exceptional care planning incorporates every aspect of a young person’s unique, diverse and holistic needs. Young people are fully aware of the detail of their plans and participate in the regular updating of their progress. Young people who are placed on an emergency basis also have plans clearly detailing how they will be safeguarded following the end of their stay. For some young people this can be becoming a regular recipient of respite care and for others being moved to more appropriate placements. For example, moving a young asylum seeker into a positive foster placement in another part of the country. A social worker wrote, 'They respond well to the individual needs of the child developing a close rapport and relationship that supports both the child and wider family' and another said, 'The level of effort they make for each individual is truly excellent. The outreach they provide is outstanding.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s holistic health needs are well planned for and met. Much improved recording and administration of medication ensures young people receive any prescribed medication safely. Young people’s emotional health and well-being improve as a result of the stringent attention to promoting a healthy lifestyle. A social worker wrote, 'I have also seen how they have worked to teach the young people 8 of 12 better behaviours and support them stop smoking and drinking.'

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Quality of care outstanding

The dedicated and proactive staff team work hard to enthuse young people and inspire them to become involved in a range of positive activities. These include participation in the bicycle repair project at ‘Studio 51’ which provides young people with the opportunity to learn bicycle repair and maintenance skills. In addition staff have worked with young people throughout the summer to put a pond in the garden as well as growing a range of vegetables and fruit. Young people learn positive interaction with staff and their peers and feel accepted and that they belong. An IRO stated, 'The progress he has made has been huge in the short space of time, getting out and about and building relationships with other young people.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Enthusiastic and skilled staff also involve young people in a range of inclusive activities in the community. These provide young people with the opportunity to try new experiences which would not otherwise be available to them. These build confidence, vanquish fears and provide young people with a real sense of achievement. A staff member said, 'We go on adventures in a safe way, there are lot of woodlands and parks and seafront round here. It's not about spending money on expensive activities. Young people can get that pride and ownership in what they’ve achieved.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy visiting and staying in a home which is warm, comfortable, welcoming and fully equipped to meet their needs. Their bedrooms are prepared for them in advance and they think of the room they use as ‘my room’. Young people enjoy sitting down to eat their meals together in the dining room which inspires a sense of family and belonging. A specialist social worker wrote, 'It really is her sanctuary in what is often a sad and challenging home life. She really feels a part of everything that goes on in the Unit. She especially talks of her room which I believe you have made to feel like ‘hers’.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people feel safe in this home. Stringent attention to safeguarding procedures ensures they are safe. This is confirmed by parents and professionals. Carefully matching young people to have respite with each other ensures there is no bullying. Young people confirm that they are not bullied. A social worker wrote, 'It offers young people a safe place to go when life gets too hard' and a young person said, 'it’s safe and relaxing.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people attending for respite do not go missing from the home. They are happy to be here and do not wish to absent themselves. Furthermore, the sense of security and belonging young people experience as a result of their involvement with the staff mean that their episodes of missing from their family homes also ceases. This effectively safeguards them. A young person said, 'When I'm unhappy at home and I ran off before I had nowhere to go but now I can come here and I can talk to 9 of 12 them and they talk to me and they listen and I can stay at home again.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There has been an episode of missing from a young person who was placed on an emergency basis. Stringent attention to missing person protocols and partnership working with the local police ensured the young person returned quickly to the home. As this is a rare occurrence for staff their recording of the incident was not sufficiently objective. This did not have a detrimental effect on young people's safety.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Close and nurturing relationships between young people and staff mean that positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Young people very much see staff as role models and are learning positive behaviours from them. As a result, inappropriate behaviours are rarely exhibited and the use of physical interventions are not necessary. A transition social worker said, 'They’ve worked wonders for him.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

A stable, consistent staff team care for the young people in this home. The recent addition of a new senior post was filled internally maintaining that stability. There has only been one new staff appointment since the last inspection. Robust local authority recruitment and vetting procedures were effectively followed. Young people are not cared for by people who may pose a risk to them. A staff member said, 'The staff team are still stable, once you come here you stay and it helps the young people to know who is going to be here.'

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Stringent attention to robust health and safety procedures ensure that young people live in a home which is physically safe to meet their needs. Regular fire evacuation drills ensure that young people would know what to do in an emergency.

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Leadership and management good

The suitably qualified manager has held Registered Manager status in this home since November 2009. She is supported by two senior care officers ensuring staff are fully supported thus providing young people with a high level of care.

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Leadership and management good

The home consistently demonstrates improvement. Both the requirement and recommendation from the last inspection have been met. There have been improvements in the quality of the manager’s monitoring reports and the administration of medication. In addition, as the numbers of young people using this provision have increased a second senior care officer has been appointed to ensure that all necessary monitoring and safeguarding procedures are followed.

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Leadership and management good

Further, a new ‘Exit Plan’ has been introduced. This process was suggested by staff and is still in its early stages therefore not fully embedded as yet. The 'Exit Plan' records the progress young people have made in the home and documents the reasons why they no longer need respite support. This document enables the management team to determine the impact their involvement has had in a young person’s life. For some young people this demonstrates that family relations are such 10 of 12 that they are no longer at risk of coming into care and for others it shows where they have moved safely on to, and why.

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Leadership and management good

The home’s Statement of Purpose and Young People's Guide clearly detail the care to be provided for young people on a respite basis and how referrals are to be made. This ensures that young people, their families and professionals fully understand what they can expect from the provision. Young people are appropriately placed enhancing their opportunities for success and achievement. The home is operating in line with its registration and as described in the Statement of Purpose.

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Leadership and management good

However, the section explaining that the home also provides an emergency bed is not sufficiently detailed to fully explain how this is managed. The manager is very clear that young people are not adversely affected by the admission of a young person in an emergency and that no respite nights are cancelled for this to take place. This needs to be sufficiently detailed in the statement of purpose to aid the understanding of professionals that there are times that the emergency service cannot be provided.

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Leadership and management good

Robust external monitoring processes fully comply with legislation and incorporate the views of young people and other interested parties. They support continued development in the home and contribute to the safeguarding of young people. The manager’s monitoring processes have improved since the last inspection and also comply with regulation. However, on occasion it is not evident that all logs have been monitored as they should. For example, the quality of recording following the missing episode.

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Leadership and management good

The home’s development plan is an active document which clearly demonstrates ambitions to enhance young people’s care and how this is to be achieved.

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Leadership and management good

Young people benefit from being able to read and comment upon their records and care plans. These contribute to an understanding of young people’s presenting issues, how they have been addressed and will assist them in understanding their backgrounds now and in the future. They are stored securely.

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Leadership and management good

All significant events are notified to relevant agencies within appropriate timescales. Young people are safeguarded by these measures.

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Leadership and management good

A consistent, stable staff team are fully trained to meet the needs of young people they look after. All but the newest member of staff are qualified to NVQ Level 3 or above. In addition, staff have undertaken specialist training to assist them with their role, for example in managing concerns regarding child sexual exploitation. A social worker wrote, 'The staff are excellent. They work well with other professionals and go above and beyond what is expected to support the young people we work with.'

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Leadership and management good

Staff report that they are fully supported and receive regular good quality supervision. They speak positively about the positive ethos and culture in the home 11 of 12 engendered by the management team and the support they receive from each other. Young people thrive within this positive and caring atmosphere. A staff member said, 'We’ve got some great members of staff here that welcome young people at any hour of the night and make them feel settled and safe when they’re scared.' 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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