Children's Home run by Radical Services Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC061158 Inspector Ceri Evans Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Radical Services Limited Registered person address Rouse House, 2 Wyther Lane Kirkstall Leeds West Yorkshire LS5 3BT Responsible individual Luiz Miguel Guilherme Registered manager Ian Boyd Date of last inspection 31/01/2014 2 of 9 Inspection date 28/01/2015

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

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

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Information about this children’s home

The service is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person of either gender who has experienced behavioural and emotional difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2014 Interim good progress 28/08/2013 Full good 14/02/2013 Interim good progress 24/07/2012 Full good

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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 visits under Regulation 33 include interviews with children and young people living in the home, parents, relatives and professionals. (Volume 5, statutory guidance 3.13)  The home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. This specifically related to ensuring that redecoration and renovation work is completed. (NMS 10.3)  The registered person takes action to address any issues of concern that they identify or which is raised with them. This specifically relates to ensuring that contact arrangements are reviewed, particularly following any disruption to the agreed plans. (NMS 21.9) 4 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make significant progress as a direct result of the care they receive in the home. They confirm that they feel happy and settled, and share good relationships with staff. Staff value young people as individuals and show a great deal of care and consideration towards them. As a result, young people have forged trusting relationships and feel valued and respected by staff. One young person stated ‘I’d rate this home 9 out of 10, its pretty good here and I get on with staff really well’. This demonstrates that young people feel happy and is further testament to the strength of the relationships within the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Educational outcomes for young people are good, taking into account progress from the start of their placement. Young people are supported in their education and attendance has greatly improved in recent months. Young people understand the importance of good school attendance and they have started to demonstrate considerable progress. One professional involved with a particular young person said ‘(name) is now flourishing in school. He now attends full time and is showing signs of progress’. This demonstrates that young people are motivated to learn and are now more likely to achieve qualifications, which will improve them access to future training or employment opportunities.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The home takes appropriate responsibility for the primary health care needs of the young people. Staff provide young people with good information and advice on a range of health issues such as dangers of smoking, substance misuse and the importance of exercise and healthy eating. As a result young people are enjoying healthy lifestyles and where appropriate are able to take care of their own medical needs.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have a positive sense of identity and are proud of their heritage and culture. This is promoted through contact with family and significant others. Arrangements are properly supported and facilitated by staff, this ensures that contact is safe, well organised and enjoyable for all. Evidence gathered at this inspection demonstrates that staff recognise the importance of rebuilding young people’s relationships with their families, and they go to great lengths to develop positive working relationships with parents. However, there has been at least one occasion when arising issues from contact, such as non-attendance, have not been formally explored with those involved. Currently, this has not had a negative impact on the welfare and well-being of young people. This is due to high levels of support and nurture that exists within the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have every opportunity to express their wishes, feelings and views about their day to day care. They know how to complain and feel able to do so. Regular visits from independent visitors and other professionals provide young people 5 of 9 with advice should they want to pursue matters. This provides young people with a voice and enables them to have a sense of control over what is important to them.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are effectively prepared for successful adult life in line with their age and cognitive ability. They learn how to carry out daily household tasks such as doing laundry, budgeting, shopping and cooking A specific life skills package has been devised to help young people develop a range of skills that prepares them for when they leave care.

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Quality of care outstanding

A key strength of the home is the relationships staff achieve with the young people. Relationships are constructive, trusting and extremely positive. Building and maintaining quality relationships is at the very heart of all that staff do. They have consistent high aspirations for young people and operate as highly effective role models. These supportive relationships help young people to develop confidence and gain trust. Professionals comment highly about the quality of relationships that exist within the home and state ‘this home has had a massive impact on (name). For the first time in care he is making good attachments with those around him. He trusts staff and is blossoming from the positive praise he receives’. This demonstrates the warm and nurturing environment staff create to help young people achieve.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s individual placement plans are highly personalised and they are specific to their needs. Young people are familiar with their plans and are fully involved in decisions about their future. Staff encourage young people to express themselves and discuss matters with those responsible for their care. One social worker commented that ‘for the first time (name) has engaged in his review. This is the first time he has been able to take part and express his wishes and feelings. He really enjoyed it. This is a good example of the progress he has made in this home’. Young people’s needs arising from their cultural background and personal identity are positively identified and celebrated. This ensures that young people feel pride in their heritage and can openly be who they are without feeling marginalised.

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Quality of care outstanding

Excellent communication is maintained between school and staff in the home which allows for achievements to be shared and celebrated. Staff have excellent knowledge of young people’s current progress and the areas that require further support. Personal Education Plans evidence that young people’s learning has improved by the care they receive. This further demonstrates that young people are given every opportunity to reach their full potential and excellent support is in place for them to do so.

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Quality of care outstanding

The team encourage young people’s individual characters, skills and talents through the promotion of activities. Young people enjoy spending time with staff and take part in day trips, sports, video games and meals out. This enables young people to 6 of 9 learn new skills and build on existing abilities and as a result young people are more confident and have real pride in their achievements.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in a small town. It is close to all local amenities and has easy access to a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. Generally, the maintenance of the home is excellent with young people making important decisions around décor. A recommendation has been made to ensure that ongoing maintenance to the hall, stairs and landing is finished within agreed timescales.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Excellent arrangements are in place to safeguard and protect young people. Pro- active safeguarding measures mean that young people have a strong sense of safety and well-being. Young people say they feel safe, secure and well cared for. They are protected from harm by committed staff who fully understand their needs, risks and vulnerabilities.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The welfare and safety of young people is always the most important consideration for staff. Staff have excellent links with other agencies who provide access to up-to- date advice and guidance in order to ensure everyday practice protects young people from harm. External agencies confirmed that the home maintains regular contact with them and are pro-active in seeking advice when needed. This ensures a collaborative approach to safeguarding which further protects young people from harm. Staffing ratios ensure appropriate support, supervision and monitoring of young people. Staff are consistently clear about what action they would take in response to any arising concerns. This means that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and give the safety and well-being of young people the highest priority at all times.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Comprehensive behaviour management plans are in place. Staff use behaviour management strategies that acknowledge and reward positive behaviour. Young people are also encouraged to discuss and reflect upon incidents, and consider better ways of expressing their emotions and feelings. Young people are taking increasing responsibility for making the safer choices. The development of their maturity is apparent. This is demonstrated in the fact that young people no longer place themselves at risk by going missing, sanctions have dramatically reduced and young people enjoy greater confidence and self-esteem.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Evidence gathered at this inspection highlights that physical intervention is extremely rare and only used as a last resort. There hasn’t been a restraint for several months. This demonstrates that young people have learnt skills such as listening, reasoning and negotiation to express their wishes and feelings. Records of restraint are comprehensive and provide a thorough overview of the incident. This enables the 7 of 9 manager to analyse the record and identify triggers, patterns or trends. Staff have thorough discussions about any serious incident and this helps them to engage young people in talking about their feelings and behaviours that led to the intervention. This, coupled with the trusting relationship young people have with staff has undoubtedly led to the reduction of challenging behaviour. Behaviour has improved greatly since the young people’s admission to the home. This is something young people acknowledge and are proud of.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The manager is pro-active in identifying training opportunities in addition to those on offer by the organisation. This means that staff have access to local authority training events and a range of on-line learning. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) isn’t identified as a current concern for young people in placement. However, specific resources and training is in place to enhance their capacity to manage any arising risks of exploitation. The development of staff expertise in specific areas ensures that young people continue to receive effective support to keep themselves safe from harm.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The manager adheres to robust recruitment procedures. All pre-employment checks and references are complete before new staff start their role. Young people are also involved in the selection process and ask their own interview questions, they are a key part of the decision making process and their views are taken seriously by the manager. This thorough selection process helps prevent unsuitable people from having access to vulnerable young people.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people benefit from living in an effectively managed home. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2009. He has the relevant management qualifications to undertake the role and has worked in social care for many years. The manager is an enthusiastic, committed and a passionate leader who places the welfare and safety of young people at the heart of his practice. Excellent leadership and management ensures the team are well trained and motivated to drive the service forward and achieve improved outcomes for young people.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people enjoy the stability of an effectively run home with a motivated, dynamic and dedicated staff group who genuinely care for their well-being. Staffing levels are good and there is a range of expertise and skills within the team. This ensures the individual needs of young people are fully met. They way in which the rota is organised ensures that young people have consistency of care. Young people are respected for who they are and the home offers a secure base in which young people can achieve their full potential.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Staff regularly receive quality supervision that effectively develops their professional practice. Appraisals of staff performance are undertaken annually by the manager. As part of this process the manager seeks young people’s views about staff which is fed into supervisions and annual appraisals. This means that young people have a 8 of 9 greater say in the care they receive. The ‘hands on’ approach of the manager enables him to evaluate the competency and skill set of staff and quickly addresses practice issues should they arise. This ensures that the best interests of young people are is at the very heart of all that they do.

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Leadership and management outstanding

There is a range of very effective monitoring measures in place, which not only look at the operation of the home but provide a detailed and evaluative measure of progress the young people have made. This enables the manager to track the effectiveness of interventions and analyse the difference the home is making to the lives of young people. Information is shared with all stakeholders and this ensures they are kept up to date and are clear about the impact the home is having. Regulation 33 visits are regularly carried out. These reports are thorough and provide a detailed overview of the home. However, the report format was recently updated which means that consultation with parents and other stakeholders is not clearly captured. This is a minor shortfall and the manager has taken immediate action to address this. This further demonstrates his commitment to continued improvement.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The manager completes an annual development plan that clearly identifies goals, targets and aspirations for the young people in the home. The plan is realistic, yet challenging and serves as a positive indicator of the manager’s commitment to driving the service forward. A location risk assessment has been completed to a high standard. As part of this process the manager has consulted with the police and children services responsible for safeguarding along with other sources. This demonstrates the home’s ability to develop and work in accordance with regulation and keep young people safe.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Young people’s written records are well maintained, securely stored and provide a detailed picture of young people’s needs, development and progress. When young people read their records, be it now or in the future they will clearly see how much progress they have made 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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