Children's Home run by The Beeches UK limited in Peterborough

Unique reference number SC466786 Inspector Caroline Brailsford Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person The Beeches UK Ltd Registered person address 218 Dogsthorpe Road Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 3PB Responsible individual Quinton John Lovis Registered manager Denise Lea Grayston Date of last inspection 04/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 09/12/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement activity since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness adequate

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

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness for this home is adequate because some shortfalls have been identified. The issues are regarding staff recruitment processes, where gaps in employment records were found at this inspection. In addition, there has not been a prompt or timely response to a safeguarding issue in the home. The records in relation to this issue are poor and do not provide a picture of the action taken by the home. Staff training is assessed as suitable so that staff are equipped at meeting the needs of young people. However, the training and induction records are poor. Therefore, it is difficult to monitor staff's induction and training and when their refreshers are due.

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Overall effectiveness

The management response to the identified issues was pro-active to ensure that the required changes will be implemented. Progress has already started to address the issues raised.

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Overall effectiveness

Despite the above shortfalls, there are some outstanding outcomes for young people. The views of young people are established and are integral to their care and the running of the home generally. The care planning process is highly individual and young person centred. Young people's anxieties about their family situation and background are extremely well considered. This assists young people to reflect on 3 of 11 their own personal situation and to make sense of what has happened in their life.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people's complex and unsafe behaviours significantly decrease at this home. As a result, young people are significantly safer. In addition, the health of young people is greatly improved, which has enabled their self-esteem and confidence to quickly develop. All young people’s attendance and attainment in education is excellent. This is extremely significant given their starting point. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to accommodate up to three young people aged from 10 to 18 years with learning difficulties, and emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 the prompt referral to the Local Authority in whose area the children's home is situated, of any allegation of abuse or neglect affecting any child accommodated in the children's home (Regulation 16,2,(b)) 31/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that written records are kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of any action taken in response (Regulation 16,2,(d)) 31/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that staff are not employed to work at the children's home unless full and satisfactory information is available in relation to him in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2, this is in relation to gaps in employment history (Regulation 26,1(a), Schedule 2, 6) 31/12/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Registered Person maintains in the children's home, the records specified in Schedule 4 31/12/2014 5 of 11 and ensure they are kept up to date. (Regulation 29, Schedule 4, point 11 & 13)

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Recommendations

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 training keeps staff up-to-date with professional, legal and practice development and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the home. (NMS 18.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All young people have excellent school attendance compared to their starting point. For some young people, who did not attend school before coming to the home now have excellent attendance and attainment.. Young people are extremely positive about school. For example one young person said that they were pleased that they were able to study their interests and talents and as a result they now have an idea about which vocation to choose in later life. Parents are also pleased with young people's progress. One parent reported in a questionnaire to Ofsted that 'we feel that our child has flourished'. In addition, an education professional commented that 'the progress is absolutely amazing'.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are in excellent health. For some, that have not accessed the required medical help in the past, they are now receiving the health care that they need. They have appropriate contact with medical professionals and attend regular appointments with doctors, dentists and opticians to ensure that they stay healthy. This results in improved health and impacts positively on young people's confidence and self- esteem. In addition, the emotional wellbeing of young people is very well considered by the staff. The young people report that they feel much happier because they always have someone to talk to and support them.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have made very significant progress in developing more socially acceptable behaviour. They receive a structured and very consistent response from the staff so they can learn about boundaries. Robust behaviour management plans ensure that every opportunity is taken to develop further in this area. Young people also learn how to self-regulate their behaviour, which will equip them very well now and in later life.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people's contact arrangements are complex and at times cause them worry and anxiety. Staff are very aware of the sensitivities around contact arrangements and the impact this can have on young people’s behaviour. Staff, provide excellent support to young people who feel extremely able to talk freely to the staff about their family issues. Young people benefit from the timely additional support to their emotional well-being provided by staff. This greatly assists the young people to cope with issues and to further understand their situation.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

During their stay at the home, young people benefit from opportunities to develop practical knowledge and life skills. This supports the development of their independence and helps them to become more self-reliant and responsible. Such skills include self-care, shopping, preparing meals and using public transport. Excellent and committed continuous guidance and help from staff, which is adapted to individual needs, effectively supports young people’s preparation for independence. In addition, young people have a say in what is happening in their lives. For example, 7 of 11 young people are encouraged and supported to routinely attend their own review meetings. Staff ensure that these meetings are tailored to meet the needs and understanding of the individual young person. This ensures that they are listened to and have their say.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people regularly go out on activities such as bowling, the cinema and shopping trips. A wide range of resources are also available in the house to ensure that young people are very well occupied and enjoy their life in the home. In addition, young people benefit from club memberships in the community, such as cadets. Young people are able to discover what they enjoy and what they are good at. This raises their self-esteem and confidence now and in the future.

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Quality of care good

The staff work very well together as a team to make sure that they provide a consistent approach. This assists young people in a variety of ways. In particular, the staff approach to behaviour management and supporting the development of young people’s emotional wellbeing, self- esteem and confidence is strong. Staff develop and build good relationships with the young people which promotes the young people's progress in many areas. All young people confirm that they like the staff. Staff speak highly of the young people and value them for their own differing personality and attributes, ensuring that all young people are valued. . One parent commented about the staff saying 'it’s a pleasure to deal with all the staff members'.

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Quality of care good

Staff work hard to ensure that the health needs of young people are fully explored and met. For example, for some young people, staff have organised complex health interventions in line with particular medical conditions. Young people benefit from this support whereas the previous absence of it hindered their progress and impacted on their self-esteem. This also has a positive impact in other areas of their lives, such as education, where they are making significant progress.. Young people are actively encouraged by staff to practice their own religion and the multi-cultural approach to care is well embedded into all areas of practice.

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Quality of care good

Staff actively listen to the young people and have a good understanding of the difficulties they have in coming to terms with their background and family situation. Staff are good at identifying triggers that impact upon young people’s behaviour, such as contact visits and other areas of anxiety. Staff focus consistently on making young people feel more at ease and reducing anxiety provoking factors As a result, young people are well supported and relationships with people important to them are sustained and improved.. Through the use of community groups, young people enjoy a variety of activities and meet new people where friendships can be forged.

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Quality of care good

Young people are fully involved by staff in discussions about their care. Their views are actively sought by staff in a variety of ways. Thisgives young people choices about how their individual needs are met and in relation to the running of the home. 8 of 11 For example, they have opportunities to contribute to their own plans in the home during individual time with staff. They can also contribute to the running of the home through young people's meetings and know how to use the complaints procedure. They are empowered by staff because they are listened to. This ensures that young people develop an understanding about their own rights as an individual.

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Quality of care good

Care planning is very effective and highly individualised. Staff are familiar with the individual care plans for each young person which ensures that all young people's needs are well met. The staff are effective in their recording of young people's developing needs, progress made and difficulties they may face. This builds a detailed picture of the young person's life for them to reflect on in later life if they choose.

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Quality of care good

Young people are able to develop their own independence through the care planning process and proportionate risks are taken so that young people can enjoy a safe level of personal autonomy and independence. For example, young people are supported to use public transport and with personal budgeting. One social worker reported ‘I believe the staff at the Maples will ensure that she has life skills and the confidence to undertake them by the time she has to leave’. This demonstrates a readiness over time to become more independent as a result of this placement.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people are safe in the home. Young people unanimously say that they feel safe all the time. In addition, parents and placing social workers say that young people are safe. Risk assessments set out what staff must do to protect young people. These are detailed, well understood by staff and work effectively to reduce risks such as missing episodes, complex behaviour and anxiety. The young people are allowed to take proportionate risks in line with their own development. This approach is well balanced with the young people’s understanding of potential safeguarding issues.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Staff are generally clear about what action they must take to protect young people should a safeguarding situation occur.. Despite this, one allegation was not passed to the relevant authorities in a timely manner in line with the regulatory requirements. This has not had a direct impact on the young person concerned on this occasion. However, this has a potential to impact on young people in the future as such a delay could hinder the relevant authorities taking timely action to protect young people. In addition, safeguarding records are poor and do not show a chronology of events, should this be needed for an investigation. A strong culture of trust exists between the young people and the staff because high levels of confidentiality are maintained with the sharing of personal information restricted to those that need to know.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Arrangements are in place to complete checks on any new staff members to ensure 9 of 11 they are suitable to work with young people. However, some staff personnel records show some gaps in employment history, which have not been explored and recorded. This has the potential to impact on young people because the current recruitment process could allow potentially unsuitable people to work in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

During the inspection there was an extremely pro-active response to identified safeguarding issues by staff. All leaders demonstrated an ability to reflect on their practice and learn from these mistakes. This shows a positive culture where reflection and learning can take place to ensure further improvements to the safety of young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people have not been reported to the police as missing from the home since the last inspection. High staffing ratios ensure that they are well supervised. A procedure is in place so that staff know what to do if this should occur.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Effective support and monitoring by staff has helped young people to reduce the risks they were previously exposed to. Young people are supported to make positive changes to their behaviour because the staff approach is consistent and individualised. Additionally, the high staffing levels allow for time to be spent de- escalating some situations which could potentially develop into more serious incidents. Clear progress is made by young people in managing their behaviour . As a result, the use of physical restraint by staff is low with only one incident since the last inspection in February 2014. Records show that these are only used as a last resort.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

The home has some good health and safety arrangements in place which work well to promote safety. For example, regular fire drills, tests and checks ensure that equipment is in good working order and that young people, staff and visitors know what to do in the event of a fire. Staff have a good understanding of the need for E- safety. They encourage young people to be open about their activities on line which further promotes the protection of young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager has been in post since the home opened in September 2013. She holds both the Level 4 in Management and Child Care qualification and has extensive experience in working with young people. She shares her time with another home within the organisation in the local area, where she is also the Registered Manager. She is supported by a deputy manager, also based at the other home and team leaders who together form an energetic and dynamic management team. The Registered Manager and the Deputy Manager are not included on the staff rota for the home. In addition, they do not sign in the visitors’ book when they come to the home to visit and undertake work with young people. Therefore it is difficult to build up a picture of who has been working in the home and when, should this information be needed for any investigation. 10 of 11 The management team are well regarded by the staff, parents and young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

They lead by example. Leaders have a clear commitment to continually improve the quality of care provided to young people. Where shortfalls have been identified during this inspection, the management team were able and keen to fully reflect on their own shortfalls in not recognising these problems sooner. This attitude means that they can implement change quickly and did so by immediately developing an action plan to drive forward the improvements needed.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff training records are not-up-to date, which makes it difficult to accurately assess staff training and development needs. Staff keep their own records of training but these are not held centrally in the home. This gap does not allow for robust management monitoring of staff skills and competence. Despite this, the inspector was able to establish that sufficient staff training takes place so that staff are fully skilled and competent in meeting the needs of a complex group of young people. Staff report that they have benefitted from a good induction programme. Staff supervision sessions are well organised by the management team. All staff receive appropriate time with their manager so that their performance can be monitored. Staff also have an opportunity to express their views about the quality of care provided to young people. Managers are fully aware of individual staff ability and supervision is used well to develop staff to drive forward further improvements to

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Leadership and management adequate

The two requirements and two recommendations made at last inspection have been fully met. The regularity of staff supervision has improved as has the quality of medication records and risk assessments about the home environment. elephone calls are now made to all referees to verify staff references prior to recruitment.

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Leadership and management adequate

The provider organises their own inspections to the home and where suggestions for improvements are made, the management team response is clearly evident. For example, an issue about risks in the home environment was identified and fully responded to. This demonstrates that effective processes are in place to improve the quality of care provided to young people. In addition, the manager organises a monthly audit in the home. This recently identified shortcomings in the quality of visit reports. The manager put a plan in place swiftly to rectify this and is expecting the first visits using an improved format to take place in December 2014. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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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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