Children's Home run by Hopedale Children and Family Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC444869 Inspector Marina Tully Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Sarah Marie Deaville Date of last inspection 26/03/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 12/11/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection There has not been any enforcement action since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Since the last inspection the home has increased the number of young people it can accommodate from 10 to 14. This has involved major changes both to the size of the staff team and the size of the premises; the home has recruited 16 new staff to meet the extra demand. The manager and team have worked extremely hard to ensure that these developments have had minimal impact on children and young people. Most of the development work was done while the children and young people were on holiday. A young person said ‘I was surprised when I got back from holiday as they had built the extension and finished parts of the garden.’ The work undertaken on the home is of a high standard and the manager now has plans to redecorate and re-carpet other areas of the home.

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides an excellent standard of care and children and young people make significant progress in all aspects of their lives. This is because staff have high aspirations for children and young people and have developed positive relationships with them. Furthermore, managers and staff know the children and young people extremely well and produce detailed and personalised care plans to ensure that their needs are met. Children and young people are well supported to reach their full potential by dedicated and enthusiastic carers. 3 of 12 Children and young people are protected by knowledgeable and skilled staff who know what action to take to minimise risk. Children and young people are therefore safe and feel safe.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is run by strong leaders and managers who are aware of the service’s strengths and limitations and are effectively implementing the home’s development plan.

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Overall effectiveness

Shortfalls identified during this inspection relate to safeguarding, specifically to staff recruitment procedures. There were inconsistencies in some staff files in terms of: carrying out essential pre-employment checks, such as data and barring (DBS) checks; chasing up appropriate references; and the rigorous checking of employment histories. Such checks are key to safe recruitment practice and ensure that only suitable staff are employed. Further, deficiencies were found in the sharing of information about child protection concerns. On occasion information had not been shared with all of the relevant parties, including for example with all social workers and with Ofsted. This precludes wider scrutiny, assessment and review of significant incidents to ensure that there is a comprehensive and effective approach to child protection in line with regulations. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 14 young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It has its own school on site which is registered with the Department for Education. The home is privately owned.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2014 Interim good progress 05/06/2013 Full outstanding 09/11/2012 Full good

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that any offer of employment to a person is subject to paragraph (3)(d) being complied with in relation to that person; and unless paragraph (6) applies, no person starts work at a children’s home until such time as paragraph (3)(d) has been complied with in relation to them (Regulation 26 (5)(a)(b) 01/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any of the events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. This is specifically in relation to 01/12/2014 5 of 12 notifying HMCI of all significant incidents and events. (Regulation 30 (1)) 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people attend the home’s on-site school and they all have excellent attendance due to their consistent routines. Consequently, they are making measurable progress in all aspects of their learning and development. This is confirmed by education professionals who comment ‘I am really pleased with the service. They have done some tremendous work; a boy who had not attended school for 2 years prior to moving in now has 100% attendance.’ Children and young people benefit from excellent joint working between the home and school. Information about their needs and progress is shared on a daily basis. This ensures consistency of care and behaviour management.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The service provides therapeutic support through a team of experienced therapists. Children and young people have weekly therapy sessions designed to promote their emotional health. When necessary, referrals are made to specialist services, such as a speech and language therapist, the enuresis nurse and the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). The manager takes an active role when children and young people are referred to CAMHS in order to ensure they are given a high priority. As a result, engagement with CAMHS is very positive. All routine health appointments for annual health assessments and with dentists and opticians are attended. As a result children and young people are making significant progress in their emotional and physical health.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people are supported to explore important health-related issues, including for example managing enuresis, sexual health and development and improving personal hygiene. Concerns about inappropriate or harmful behaviour are effectively addressed in regular key work and therapy sessions. Staff routinely consult with the therapists either to reflect on their practice or to explore different ways of managing challenging situations and behaviour. Children and young people are therefore encouraged and supported by a knowledgeable and competent team to develop more constructive ways of regulating their responses.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home successfully promotes healthy lifestyles and grows its own vegetables to encourage healthy eating. Staff are good at carefully balancing healthy eating with occasional treats. Children and young people enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as going on local walks, playing football, trampolining and hockey, all of which provide great opportunities for exercise while having fun and making new friends.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people are settled in their placements. As a result they are more confident, resilient and able to develop secure attachments to their carers. They enjoy good quality contact with their families in a safe and planned way. Staff recognise the benefits for children and young people of maintaining contact with their families and work hard to support those arrangements. A young person said ‘the staff 7 of 12 have helped me to have more contact with my mum. I see her more often which is really good.’ Good quality contact helps children and young people develop a better understanding of their identities and backgrounds which in turn helps them to resolve difficult past experiences.

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Quality of care outstanding

Professionals, parents, children and young people all speak highly of the service. Children and young people say ‘I’ll give the home one hundred thousand points.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Excellent relationships have been developed in the home. Staff are exceptionally tolerant and understanding and show great empathy towards the children and young people. The home promotes a culture of mutual acceptance and respect. Staff are determined to ensure children and young people make exceptional progress in all areas. For example, some children and young people come to the home with very limited speech and language. With speech therapy and consistent support from the staff, they make immense progress and are able to hold clear conversations. This demonstrates the commitment of the staff and the high standard of care provided.

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Quality of care outstanding

A further strength of the home is evidenced by children and young people feeling safe enough to be able show affection: they frequently ask staff for hugs and cuddles. One child said ‘I never used to like anyone touching me before I moved here but now I love having cuddles.’ Consequently, children and young people learn to trust staff and to feel important and ‘loved’. This helps them to accept support and guidance from staff which in turn results in them developing better coping strategies and improved behaviour.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff regularly seek the views of children and young people to ensure that they have a say in the day-to-day running of the home. For example, children’s meetings are held every week to plan activities and discuss any problems that have arisen over the last seven days. In order to promote children and young people’s safety and well- being, bullying and equality and diversity are standard agenda items at these meetings.

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Quality of care outstanding

Skilled, knowledgeable and determined staff use rewards and encouragement to support children and young people to make more positive choices. The home provides a high standard of care and children and young people benefit from structure, consistent boundaries and routines. For example, children and young people’s days are carefully planned with them in order to incorporate a wide range of activities and opportunities to learn and have fun. Consequently, children and young people are appropriately occupied throughout the waking day which minimises opportunities for them to drift and engage in risk-taking behaviours.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have weekly reflection sessions with the service therapy coordinator. During these sessions staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice, share their ideas and 8 of 12 identify their strengths and weaknesses as a team. In this way, staff are empowered and supported to manage inappropriate behaviour in a considered and constructive way. This ensures that children and young people are more likely to learn to accept boundaries, respect others and therefore establish and maintain positive relationships.

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Quality of care outstanding

There have not been any complaints since the last inspection. The home has recently introduced a ‘grumbles book’ which encourages children and young people to tell staff about any minor issues or concerns. This ensures that any problem, no matter how small, is quickly resolved and if necessary escalated to a complaint. The home has a very clear and accessible complaints system that is widely promoted within the home. Children and young people are fully aware of how to make a complaint and know who can help them to do so. The highly effective grumbles and complaints procedure further enhances children and young people’s safety within the home.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff work extremely well with other stakeholders such as social workers, police and parents. This was reflected in feedback from the missing from care police officer who stated, ‘I have great working relationships with all the staff. They are proactive and consult with me on many safety matters. I frequently call in to see how things are going and I am always made welcome.’ Good quality partnership working ensures that there is a strong, supportive, multi-agency team around children and young people and that practice is child-centred.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and young people benefit from high quality placement plans which are all up to date. Their individual plans are personalised and reflect their unique and specific needs. Dedicated staff have in-depth knowledge and understanding of children and young people’s needs and vulnerabilities. The home promotes a culture of encouragement and reward; the staff ensure that all achievements are celebrated. For example, children and young people praise each other when they have earned extra points and rewards for positive behaviour. As a result, children and young people feel valued and respected which has a positive impact on their self-image and self-belief.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and young people enjoy a range of activities.. For example, children and young people spoke excitedly about their holidays abroad with the home. One young person said ‘we are really posh; we stayed in a 5 star resort. I had never been abroad before I moved here.’ Additionally, staff inspire and support children and young people to try new things, develop hobbies and engage in different activities. For example, children and young people attend local trampolining, dance, hockey, and football clubs. The home provides children and young people with a wealth of opportunities to experience new challenges and thus broaden their knowledge, confidence and self-esteem.

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Quality of care outstanding

Medication procedures are exceptionally well organised. Medication is given as and when directed. The regular weekly audit of medication stock minimises any potential for error. Furthermore, staff receive mandatory training on how to administer 9 of 12 medication safely. The home’s rigorous medication procedure ensures that children and young people’s medical needs are effectively and safely attended to.

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Quality of care outstanding

Leaders and staff have undoubtedly created a warm, nurturing and stable home environment in which young people feel secure and relaxed. The home is maintained to a high standard and is suitably located. There is a large well-resourced garden and play area. Children and young people enjoy growing their own vegetables, rearing chickens and helping with the building of garden furniture. Not only does this help them to have fun and develop new skills, it also gives them responsibility and enables them to develop skills for their future independence.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people are protected from harm. They are cared for by a competent team of staff who make safeguarding a high priority. Children and young people do not go missing from home; they are not exposed to the risk of child sexual exploitation nor are they involved in other risk-taking behaviour such as substance misuse or criminality. Staff understand the relevant procedures and know what to action to take in all of these situations. The home has forged strong links with the local designated police officer which reinforces the proactive approach to safeguarding.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people say they feel safe. The home promotes a clear anti- bullying policy and children and young people have regular discussions about the impact of bullying and name-calling. This ensures that everyone living and working in the home feels protected and valued.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people are encouraged and supported by staff, teachers and therapists to explore how difficult emotions impact on their behaviour. They are taught, through the use of rewards and appropriate sanctions, to link actions to consequences and to understand how some behaviours are harmful to themselves and others.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Although the use of physical intervention is relatively high, records demonstrate that it is only used as a last resort and only then as way of protecting children and young people. Children say ‘when I am struggling with my behaviour, staff hold me to keep me safe.’ Staff are fully trained in de-escalation strategies and physical intervention techniques to enable them to manage challenging behaviour safely. The home has a clear and effective system of recording restraint. The manager regularly audits these records to ensure that the safety and well-being children and young people is not compromised.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There have not been any allegations made against staff; child protection referrals are rare. When child protection concerns arise immediate action is taken to ensure children and young people are safe from harm. However, on occasion staff and 10 of 12 leaders have not consistently informed other relevant bodies, such as all social workers and Ofsted.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The safety and security of the home is enhanced by rigorous health and safety checks. All safety checks on the home’s utilities and appliances are up to date. Regular fire drills and alarm tests are completed to ensure staff, visitors, children and young people are fully aware of the evacuation procedure. All of these procedures are in place to ensure that children and young people’s safety is maximised while living in the home.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager and Deputy Manager have recently acquired the level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. Children and young people therefore benefit from living in a home that is managed by suitably qualified, dedicated and experienced leaders.

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Leadership and management good

The manager and staff are committed to continuous improvement. This is demonstrated in the home’s development plan which is comprehensive and details areas for improvement with set timescales for their completion. Many of the improvements identified had been achieved by the time of this inspection including, for example: improvements in the recording systems; the introduction of the grumbles book; improved outdoor play facilities; and consideration being given to equality and diversity issues in children and young people’s risk assessments. All of these improvements have benefited the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people.

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Leadership and management good

The manager actively seeks others’ views about how the service can be improved, including the views of children and young people, staff, parents and other stakeholders. The home’s Statement of Purpose is regularly updated and genuinely reflects the service’s aims and objectives. This ensures that commissioners, parents, and social workers are clear from the start about what the service can offer and how children and young people will be cared for. An education professional commented 'they are very good at knowing what they can and can't provide and this is one of the reasons why they have so much success.'

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Leadership and management good

The home employs a sufficient number of suitably qualified, experienced and skilled staff. Staff receive good quality training in relevant areas such as safeguarding, physical intervention and the administration of medication to enable them to care for and safeguard children and young people. This is enhanced by regular supervision, practice reflection sessions and effective team meetings. Staff feel supported and valued and this is demonstrated in the exceptional quality of care provided to children and young people within the home.

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Leadership and management good

The manager gives service monitoring a high priority. She works closely with the 11 of 12 independent visitor to monitor and evaluate the progress of the service and identify areas for improvement. This is reflected in the manager’s monthly and quarterly monitoring reports which provide a good insight into the effectiveness of the home and are used to drive continuous improvement. The manager is not remotely complacent: she is always open to exploring ways of improving the service. 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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