Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

Unique reference number SC360599 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Registered person address Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council, Town Hall King William Street BLACKBURN BB1 7DY Responsible individual Karen Elizabeth Barrick Registered manager Melanie Lisa Coglan Date of last inspection 28/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 03/12/2014

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

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Overall effectiveness

The care and support that young people receive from this service is well planned and consistently applied. The patient and persistent approach of staff, with each individual young person, means that young people overcome apprehensions and barriers to becoming fully engaged with all that the short breaks service has to offer. Feedback from young people and their families evidences the benefits of the service, which supports them through the provision of short breaks and developing parenting skills. This work strengthens families and often prevents family breakdown, and young people from becoming looked after.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe at the service. They are supported to engage with various other services such as the local substance misuse service, CAMHS, and the child sexual exploitation support team. As a result young people’s overall health and wellbeing improves. The absence of a clear procedure to be followed in the event that young people go missing was addressed during this inspection.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from strong relationships with their keyworkers who respond creatively and imaginatively to their needs. Recognition of the importance of young people’s wishes and views is central to the operation of the service and is key to the 3 of 10 mutual respect that develops between young people and the staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager’s response to issues identified during this inspection was immediate, and demonstrated her commitment to improvement and her excellent managerial skills. One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to ensuring there is a clear procedure which ensures that staff are aware of the range of people, outside the local authority, with whom they can raise concerns about the welfare and safety of young people. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This is a children's home owned and run by a local authority. The home provides short break accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The service has two main functions. The first is to provide short and long-term intensive community-based support. The second is to provide short break care from Friday evenings to Tuesday mornings only. The home can accommodate up to four young people at a time. Currently, a service is provided to approximately 36 young people, 15 of whom receive short breaks. In addition, one bed is reserved for use in an emergency and might be used, for example, in the event of the breakdown of another placement of a looked after young person.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2014 Interim good progress 24/12/2013 Full outstanding 21/03/2013 Interim good progress 26/10/2012 Full outstanding

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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 persons working at the home report any concerns about the welfare or safety of a child accommodated there to one of the following: (i) the registered person; (ii) a police officer; (iii) an officer 31/01/2015 5 of 10 of HMCI; (iv) an officer of the local authority in whose area the home is situated, or (v) an officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 6 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The statement of purpose makes clear that the overarching aim of this service is to strengthen families to avert family breakdown and to prevent young people becoming looked after. Statistical information demonstrates that the service is exceptionally effective in achieving these positive outcomes; showing that since 2010, there has been an almost 60% reduction in 12 to 17 year olds becoming looked after in the local authority area. One parent commented, ‘It gives him a lot. If he didn’t have the support he would have gone downhill. He has learned a lot of stuff. He loves having time at the unit. I give it top marks.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

As a short breaks service, overall responsibility for young people’s health and educational needs, remain with their parents and carers. That said; as a consequence of the service young people establish routines, skills and aspirations that enable them to engage more fully with education and a range of health services.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have opportunities to learn life skills and some develop better self-care skills. During their short breaks, young people often learn to cook and they take part in daily routines such as tidying their bedrooms and doing laundry. One young person stated, ‘I have become more confident since I have come here because you meet new people and get used to talking to new people. I feel able to speak to people I don’t know and you do feel better about yourself.’ This is an example of the impact of the service upon improving young people’s social skills, confidence and self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people engage in a wide range of activities which provide them with new experiences and fun. Fishing, ice skating, and bowling, are amongst the opportunities afforded. One young person commented, ‘You do things here what some kids would not get an opportunity to do like Blackpool pleasure beach. I actually enjoy coming here. I know a lot of people who have come here - it’s helped a lot of people turn their life around.’ The staff successfully promote young people’s interest in low cost and free activities, that are sustainable for young people upon exiting the service. Therefore, young people are also supported to attend youth clubs and to utilise their free access to the council’s leisure services.

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Quality of care outstanding

The short breaks service forms part of an intensive package of support provided by the local authority. Strong links with placing social workers and other agencies such as CAMHS, means that all professionals involved are clear about their roles with each young person. Excellent communication between services means that relevant professionals are regularly updated about young people’s progress and any issues or 7 of 10 concerns. One social worker commented, ‘If there has been a weekend respite break, on Monday I will get an email detailing the young person’s activity – how they responded – what they had to eat – interaction with other young people - any key or specific issues that have occurred during weekend break. Information is up to date and relevant and I can use re court reports and further assessments.’ The CAMHS worker for one young person stated, ‘There is a lot of family stress - things have

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Quality of care outstanding

been getting very heated at home - almost at breakdown point. I have seen him for individual sessions and I see the family together – this is part of the overall package which includes short breaks. Things have massively improved. We had a meeting last week mum acknowledges the important part that short breaks has played.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Short break care plans clearly identify young people’s individual needs and young people spoken with were clear about the targets they are working toward. The plans address needs arising from culture, religion and ethnicity. Opportunities such as celebrations for Eid and Easter are creatively utilised to promote young people’s respect and understanding of different cultures and religions. Understanding and knowledge of local culture and dialect are also promoted.

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Quality of care outstanding

The participation of young people in shaping their individual plans and the way the service is provided is a particular strength of the service. In order to maximise young people’s participation, since the last inspection, the frequency of young people’s meetings has increased from monthly to weekly. Young people have their say about what they eat, what they do and in which room they sleep when they come for short breaks. They discuss and agree group activities and choose décor for the home. As a result young people invest in the service and they feel comfortable there.

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Quality of care outstanding

The staff team are skilled, enthusiastic, committed and creative in their work with young people and their families. Young people recognise that staff care about them and so they develop strong relationships with the staff team. One young person said, ‘I get on with staff and have 2 favourite staff. My keyworker would do anything to help me. They have done a lot with my anger and drinking and building bridges with my family and sorting things out with my family.’ A social worker commented, ‘The relationships key workers build up is probably the single most important element of the care provided here. What I find is that time and time again it is a proven service. The quality of the activities that the keyworkers look to bring in is really important. It’s not one size fits all, it is a very tailored and individual approach.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

One young person stated, ‘I am safe with staff when I am here. We have one to one sessions and talk about how things are at home. I have a lot of problems with my anger – they speak with me and help me out and help me deal with my anger. It’s a good opportunity for making changes coming here.’ When asked if bullying is an issue at the service they said, ‘If there are problems staff help me to sort it out or will change it around with other young people. All kids get along with everyone and are 8 of 10 nice with each other - staff don’t let you be nasty to each other.’ Parents and other professionals are satisfied that young people are safe whilst at the service. The social worker for one young person stated, ‘They do very well in supporting what we are trying to achieve, from a safeguarding perspective they are very good.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Incidents, where young people go missing from the service are few. However, given the perceived low risk that young people may go missing, individual risk management plans relating to young people going missing were not undertaken. Additionally, the procedure to be followed in the event that a young person goes missing lacked clarity. Young people, who are placed at the service in an emergency, following the breakdown of another placement, are at increased risk of going missing. Also, where child sexual exploitation is a known concern, consideration must be given to the risks associated with going missing. Therefore, in order that the agreed level of risk is determined, triggers identified and preventative strategies developed, it is vital that comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken where there are increased risks. In response to the concerns identified, the Registered Manager has taken immediate

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Keeping children and young people safe good

action, amended the policy and procedure appropriately, and before the conclusion of this inspection, began to implement individual risk management plans for young people in receipt of short breaks. For this reason no recommendation or requirement has been made in respect of this shortfall.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Otherwise, individual risk assessments were clear and included risks arising from behaviour, emotional wellbeing and past experiences. Regular reviews of young people’s placement plans and risk assessments ensures that they are amended in line with young people’s changing needs and the progress they make. A robust system is in place which considers risk assessments in relation to activities such as going to the beach, bowling and horse riding. In discussions with staff they demonstrated awareness of risk, and the content of individual and generic risk assessments.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people’s positive view of short breaks and the choice they exercise about attending means that negative behaviour is rarely an issue. Nevertheless, behaviour management plans are in place and staff are trained in the use of physical intervention. When young people are admitted in an emergency behavioural challenges have arisen which have necessitated the use of restraint. On these occasions, staff have responded appropriately. When used, physical interventions are brief and are fully recorded.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff receive safeguarding training that is regularly updated. They are clear about safe care practices including how to respond to a young person should they make a disclosure. Staff were not, however, aware of all of the agencies with whom they can raise concerns outside the local authority, for example, Ofsted. The local authority’s whistleblowing procedure does not fully inform staff of their range of options should they deem it necessary to report concerns about the welfare or safety of a young person who uses the service. 9 of 10

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered is suitably qualified and experienced to undertake the responsibilities of her role. She has been the Registered Manager of this service since 2007 and is also the registered manager of another of the authority’s short break services.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people benefit from receiving a service from a stable and highly committed staff team. The staff team are very well qualified and receive on-going training which supports their competent and professional approach to their work. Staff morale is high, and they feel supported by the Registered Manager. Staff supervision is undertaken regularly. Any gaps in the frequency of supervision are clearly accounted for and do not impact negatively upon the quality of supervision, which is good. The staff recognise the importance of working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to achieve the best outcomes for their young people and they have a sound knowledge of local services and resources that support young people’s progress.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The commitment to on-going improvement of the service is apparent. Internal and external monitoring of the home places emphasis upon consultation with young people, their families and other professionals. Consideration of the feedback received, helps to shape the future development of the service for which the Registered Manager and staff have high, achievable, aspirations.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home operates in line with the statement of purpose which has been updated in line with regulatory changes. Suitable systems are in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant professionals of significant events that occur within the home or with young people. No requirements or recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection and no complaints have been received between inspections, only compliments! 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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