Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410537 Inspector Jo Stephenson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Positive Pathways Limited Registered person address Park Business Centre, Hastingwood Industrial Park Wood Lane, Erdington Birmingham B24 9QR Responsible individual Danielle Epps Registered manager Alison Jane Corkingdale Date of last inspection 20/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 20/11/2014

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make excellent progress in their lives as a result of living in the home. Staff focus on giving young people positive experiences and good quality care. This enables young people to mature and develop in a nurturing environment that meets their individual and collective needs. Staff ensure young people receive personalised and well-planned care that takes account of their individual circumstances and vulnerabilities. Subsequently, young people’s risk taking behaviours significantly reduce because of the bespoke care and support they receive from staff.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff ensure that young people are consulted with on all aspects of their care. Young people’s views, wishes and opinions are central to their internal care plans and risk assessments. Staff use one-to-one sessions with young people to discuss the quality of care the home provides and how this could be improved upon. Suggestions made by young people are incorporated into the home’s development plan. As a result, young people invest in the home and this supports their development. One young person said, ‘I will always see this home as my childhood home because it’s where I grew up and I love it’.

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Overall effectiveness

Relationships between young people and staff are extremely positive. Young people say that they enjoy spending time with staff. One young person said ‘Being with the staff is like being with a family.’ The strength of the relationships between young 3 of 11 people and staff means that young people feel safe and secure in the home. Young people say they are ‘not judged’ by staff and consequently, they feel able to raise any concerns they have about their own well-being and welfare. This means that young people are open and honest with staff regarding their risk taking behaviours; and these behaviours are effectively addressed.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager uses a range of internal and external monitoring tools to evaluate and assess the quality of care provided by the service. These systems are supported by robust development plans that emphasis the views and opinions of the young people, their families and the placing authorities. However, the Statement of purpose for the home does not adhere to regulatory requirements. For example, this document does not provide clear information of the age range of young people accommodated by the home. Furthermore, there has been one occasion when a significant event that occurred in the home was not notified to Ofsted as required. The negative impact of this is negated because the Registered Manager worked in effective partnership with the local safeguarding children’s board. Although these shortfalls do not have a detrimental impact on young people placed in the home, two requirements has been made to address these issues.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home is operated by a private provider.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2014 Interim good progress 22/08/2013 Full good 26/02/2013 Interim inadequate progress 20/06/2012 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) shall compile in relation to the children's home a written statement (in these Regulations referred to as "the statement of purpose") which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1 (Regulation 4(1)) 05/01/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure if, in relation to a children's home, 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 (Regulation 30(1)) 05/01/2015 5 of 11 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people thrive in the nurturing and welcoming environment that they live in. Their personal achievements, however small, are continually celebrated and praised. This has an immensely positive impact on young people’s self-esteem and confidence. One young person said, ‘Staff are always telling me how proud they are of me and this make me feel really good about myself.’ Young people are supported to reflect on their backgrounds and personal circumstances through comprehensive partnership working and extremely personalised care planning. As a result, young people are able to make sense of their past and plan their future. This means that young people develop the emotional resilience they need to move forward with their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Education and continued learning is central to the routines in the home. Young people are routinely encouraged to attend their education placements and attendance is high. In addition, young people are provided with activities that complement their studies, and support them to further develop their skills. For example, some young people participate in voluntary work schemes in addition to their full time college placements. This means that young people make considerable progress in education, taking account of their starting point. Young people speak with passion and pride regarding their educational achievements. One young person said, ‘I love school and I’m doing really well, I can see a proper future for myself.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are encouraged and supported to take responsibility for their own health. For example, some young people arrange their own doctors and dentist appointments and are responsible for storing and administering their own medication. In addition, young people benefit from easy access to in-house psychological and therapy services when required. For example, young people are provided with cognitive behaviour therapy when this has been identified as an effective intervention to support them to move forward with their lives. Intervention strategies delivered by allocated psychologists are embedded by staff during effective one-to-one sessions with young people. As a result, young people benefit from a comprehensive and integrated approach to meeting their health needs. This further supports young people’s development, well-being and progress.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Regular contact between young people and their families and friends is effectively promoted and supported. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for arranging when they see their families and friends. This means that young people feel in control of these relationships. One young person said, ‘I can decide when I see my family and friends and this makes me appreciate that I also have to work at these relationships.’ Subsequently, young people are not isolated from those who are important to them.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people participate in a varied range of social activities and are involved in clubs 7 of 11 and groups in their local community. They are provided with regular opportunities to socialise with others outside of the residential group. As a result, young people expand their social circles and learn new skills. This enhances young people’s self- confidence, interaction skills and self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The home operates bespoke independence living skills programmes for young people. For example, young people have the opportunity to experience semi-independent living through the management of their own weekly budget. Transition plans reflect young people’s skills and abilities rather than being based on chronological age. This means that young people are able to develop the practical and emotional skills they need for independent living, over a realistic timescale and at an appropriate pace. Subsequently, young people experience a smooth and well-planned transition to adulthood.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy exceptionally strong relationships with staff. Staff provide a well ordered, calm and relaxed atmosphere that young people flourish in. Young people are the central focus of the home and staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of young people’s individual needs. One young person said, ‘The staff really understand me and how I feel, it’s like they can read my mind at times.’ Young people also say that staff have helped them to recognise and achieve their potential. This means that young people experience improved self-esteem and confidence.

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Quality of care outstanding

Consultation with young people is embedded in all aspects of staff practice. Staff undertake regular and effective one-to-one key work sessions with young people. These are detailed and address a range of topics relevant to individual young people and their progress. Keywork sessions are used to form the basis of internal support plans. Plans devised by staff are fluid and evolve to meet young people’s changing needs. Staff regularly review and evaluate internal support plans and effectively communicate the progress young people make to placing authorities. Young people are encouraged to negotiate proposed changes and amendments to internal plans. This means that young people take responsibility for their actions, behaviours and personal development.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff complete one-to-one sessions with young people to encourage them to maintain a healthy life style. For example, young people and staff discuss the benefits of eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise. When young people receive support from external agencies and health professionals, feedback from these services is incorporated into internal health plans. This means that young people understand the wide ranging physical and emotional factors that may influence their health and well-being. As a result, young people effectively engage with health services and this ensures their health needs are met.

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Quality of care outstanding

Education is pivotal to the structure and ethos of the home. Staff work in partnership 8 of 11 with allocated education providers to support young people to continue with their learning. Furthermore, staff attend all school events and parents’ evenings and young people appreciate the support of staff. One young person said, ‘I love the staff seeing me in school things because they are always really proud of me.’ This means that young people understand the importance of continuing with their education and develop confidence in their skills and abilities.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people are able to express their views assertively and with confidence. They regularly participate in young people’s meetings and any issues they raise are immediately addressed by the Registered Manager. Young people say they understand how to make a complaint. Complaints from young people or others are rare, but are taken seriously and investigated fully in appropriate time scales. This means that young people feel assured that their concerns will be addressed and resolved.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff support young people to pursue a range of activities and hobbies. These are incorporated into the daily routines in the home and encourage young people to learn new skills and expand their social circles. Furthermore, eligible young people have the opportunity to undertake paid and voluntary employment in the local community. This gives young people a sense of responsibility and self-worth and further supports their development.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is suitably located close to local amenities and leisure facilities. In addition the home is exceptionally well maintained and decorated. This means that young people are provided with a homely and warm atmosphere that creates a calm and relaxed environment. One young person said, ‘I think my home is beautiful and I love living here.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are safe in the home and say they feel safe. Young people say that bullying is not an issue in the home because they have good relationships with each other. One young person said, ‘Living here is just like living with my family.’ Although there have been no bullying incidents since the last inspection, staff remain alert to the signs of bullying and intimidation. Furthermore, staff complete sessions with young people regarding the negative impact bullying can have. This gives young people the confidence to let staff know if they feel bullied in other environments, such as school or college. This ensures young people remain safe from this behaviour when they are away from the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff produce extremely detailed risk assessments to protect young people from harm and promote their well-being and safety. They work in partnership with young people, their families and placing authorities to identify young people’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. In addition, the home has protocols in place with local police regarding young people who go missing from the home. Missing from home incidents 9 of 11 are extremely rare and there have been no events since the last inspection. Nevertheless, staff regularly review missing from home risk assessments to ensure that these continue to meet young people’s needs. This promotes the welfare and safety of young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff receive regular training in child protection, child sexual exploitation and safeguarding. This means that staff have a detailed knowledge and understanding of the issues that potentially place young people at risk of harm. Staff also regularly refresh their physical restraint training. Although there have been not incidents of the use of this measure of control since the last inspection, staff remain competent in using physical restraint safely. This protects young people from harm.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The Registered Manager ensures that any allegations against staff are promptly addressed in line with safeguarding protocols. Concerns are dealt with transparently and within acceptable time scales. This provides support for both young people and staff. Nevertheless, there has been one occasion when Ofsted were not notified of an allegation regarding a member of staff. The detrimental impact of this shortfall is reduced because the Registered Manager worked in partnership with the local safeguarding children board to ensure the safety of young people. However, a requirement has been made to address this issue and to ensure that Ofsted is able to review the actions taken by the home in future.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff maintain health and safety records to a high standard. Systems are in place to immediately highlight and action any environmental issues that potentially impact on young people’s safety. Young people participate in fire tests and drills and understand the fire procedures in place. This means that in the event of a fire, young people understand what actions are expected in them. This knowledge further promotes their safety and well-being.

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Leadership and management good

The home has a permanent manager in place who has been registered with Ofsted since December 2013. The Registered Manager holds appropriate qualifications in the management of children residential services and social work. In addition, the Registered Manager has substantial experience of working in and managing children’s residential care.

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Leadership and management good

Leadership and management in the home are robust and child focussed. This is because the Registered Manager continually reviews staff practice and performance. Staff receive regular and effective supervision that supports their development and considers the individual needs of young people. Furthermore, the Registered Manager ensures that staff are provided with relevant and up-to-date training that reflects young people’s needs. As a result, young people work with skilled and experienced staff and this promotes their development and well-being. 10 of 11 The home’s Statement of Purpose includes an overview of the aims and objectives of the service. Nevertheless, it is unclear from this document if the services listed are provided by the home or can potentially be provided by the home if required. Furthermore, this document does not contain key information as required by the regulations. This does not have a negative impact on the young people in placement

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Leadership and management good

in the home; however a requirement has been raised to address this shortfall.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager works in partnership with placing authorities and young people’s families. These strong relationships mean that young people receive the integrated care they need to make positive progress in their lives. The Registered Manager ensures that young people are fully involved in decisions regarding their care. Young people actively participate in their statutory reviews and consultation with young people is effective and meaningful. Social workers praise the ‘excellent communication’ between area social services and staff in the home. One social worker commented, ‘The reports that the staff produce are of a very high quality.’

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Leadership and management good

Effective internal and external monitoring systems are in place to evaluate and review the quality of care provided by the home. Furthermore, the Registered Manager incorporates feedback from young people, their families and other professionals into these documents. The home’s development plan considers the strengths and weakness of the service and highlights any known patterns and trends. Action plans in place to address identified shortfalls are detailed and measurable. This means that the home can demonstrate the capacity for continued improvement and this supports positive outcomes for young people. 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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