Children's Home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Unique reference number SC025739 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person The Together Trust Registered person address The Together Trust Centre Schools Hill CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 1JE Responsible individual Jill Marie Bernadette Sheldrake Registered manager Sharon Wright Date of last inspection 26/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 12/01/2015

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

This is a good children's home which has a number of outstanding features. It is a home that does not give up easily on young people, despite their complexities and the challenges they sometimes present. On admission, young people are often at a crises point in their life, which can be chaotic due to them living a lifestyle that can be unsafe and socially unacceptable.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from moving into a stable, warm and caring environment. Placements are long-term, but not necessarily permanent. As young people's behaviour stabilises, they re-engage with education and community life, whilst at the same time develop greater social skills and awareness. This results in young people being prepared to move on in a structured, controlled and positive way, once the aims and goals of this placement have been achieved.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are provided with a structured environment, with clear boundaries laid out for them. This is underpinned with a high quality of care, which allows young people to feel safe and secure. Although at times, young people can pose sustained challenges, an experienced and highly committed staff group, who recognise and understand why young people may be posing challenges, work sensitively and consistently to meet those challenges. As a result, young people thrive socially, emotionally, physically and educationally. 3 of 10 Young people generally feel well looked after and supported by a stable staff team who they get to know well. This provides them with a high consistency of care. One young person told the inspector; `This children's home is the best one I have been in.' When asked what has improved for them since they moved into the home, the reply was; 'everything.'

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are at different points of their journey through the home, which is reflected in the current stability of individual placements. Periods of unrest, disruption and unsafe behaviour are worked through calmly, sensitively and with an air of determination to support young people through difficult and stressful times. As a result they socialise more appropriately, gain new experiences which lead them into developing new hobbies and interests and re-engage positively with their education.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well organised and managed by an experienced manager who has a clear vision regarding both the development of the home and with regard to the final outcomes for young people. High quality monitoring of the home, both internally and externally, translates into effective planning for the future, which is reflected in the home's development plans.

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Overall effectiveness

This inspection has not raised any major areas of concern and the report contains no requirements or formal recommendations. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people. The young people may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 26/11/2013 Full outstanding 13/03/2013 Interim good progress 16/10/2012 Full good 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Overall, outcomes for young people are good, although individually for some, they are better than that. For example, long-term outcomes improve considerably once young people have settled fully into their placements. This is recognised by others. For example, the parent of one young person told the inspector; `This home has been brilliant and there has been a lot of progress made during his time here.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from being looked after by a stable and consistent staff team, which allows relationships and trust to be developed. Young people have the opportunity to form strong, trusting relationships with adults who provide good role models. Staff have the skills and desire to recognise the issues affecting young people, which allows for appropriate supports and strategies to be implemented. This supports young people through times of difficulty.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Contact arrangements for young people can be complex and for some, stressful. The home works supportively and flexibly to ensure appropriate contacts are maintained. This is recognised and appreciated by parents and social workers associated with young people. Independent advocates are available if required. This results in young people’s contact needs being met.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people living in the home are in full-time education at community based schools. Attendance levels for all are high. For example, one young person has achieved 100% attendance following their recent transition from primary to secondary education, which has been a significant achievement. Attendance levels mirror the level of educational progress being achieved. This is supported in a variety of documentation held in the home, from young people's individual schools. For example, the headteacher from one school comments in a young person's report; `Is a keen learner and loves to share their knowledge with others. Can be relied upon to accept positions of responsibility.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The individual health needs of young people have been assessed and are being met. All young people are fully registered with community-based health services, giving them day-to-day access to health support. Young people have access to specialist, therapeutic input provided by the organisation operating the home. Strong links are also maintained with community based services such as CAHMS. This results in young people receiving specialist input that is designed to meet specific, individual need.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are continually encouraged to adopt and engage in healthy lifestyles. For example, through improved diet and exercise. If required, they have access into services providing for sexual health, drugs and alcohol. This develops young peoples awareness regarding their own health as well as managing their lifestyle more appropriately. As a result, young people are well informed, giving them the 6 of 10 opportunity to take decisions about their own health and lifestyle.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The home has in place an in-depth independence programme, which is used when young people move closer towards transition from the home, reaching a certain age and level of maturity. However daily life and routines within the home give young people the opportunity to develop specific skills they can use in later life. For example, young people show and take an active interest in planning and preparing meals for themselves and others.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The home has well established links into the local community, making full use of the facilities available. Staff encourage and promote a range of community based activities and leisure interests that are designed to meet individual need. Integration into the community gives young people the opportunity to help others. For example, during the year, young people and staff engage in a number of activities that raises money for both local and national charities. This gives young people a sense of achievement along with a realisation there are others in the world less well off than themselves.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people receive an outstanding quality of care. This view is supported by young people and others contacted during the inspection, who recognise the support provided and the progress made. For example, one young person states; `I can talk to staff but I find it hard and they have lots of time for me.' An independent reviewing officer reports `Staff have balanced views which helps them see the bigger picture.' A social worker says; `How they manage is just fantastic. Staff reflect on how they can move the young person forward in a positive way.' Then sums up by saying; `Consistent management, high quality care that is consistent.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Once settled into the home, young people respond positively to the placement and the staff who look after them. This leads to strong, trusting relationships and attachments being formed. High levels of communication and regular consultation features in the daily life of the home. Due to their complex, long-standing and deep- rooted needs, young people do at times present serious challenges to staff. However, a pro-active approach, underpinned by reasoning and constant support, helps to dispel anger and frustration. This along with the skills and persistence of staff, ensures that conflict is managed effectively. As a result, relationships often improve when young people come to a point where they recognise they are not going to be easily rejected on the back of a period of adverse behaviour.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people have free access to relevant information around complaints and children's rights, with helplines and contact details for external agencies well publicised. Although none have done so since the previous inspection, young people confirm they are confident to make complaints if they feel the need to do so. However, usually young people prefer to speak with staff regarding any issues of 7 of 10 concern, where they can be amicably resolved.

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Quality of care outstanding

This reflects the high levels of communication and the on-going consultation processes within the home, which is a feature of daily life. Alongside this, young people are consulted formally through a series of questionnaires and regular meetings. As a result, young people have the confidence to make suggestions, choices and express opinions, which contribute positively to life within the home. This gives young people empowerment to control certain aspects of their own daily lives.

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Quality of care outstanding

A series of high quality planning documents identify individual needs, areas of risk and strategies to address those needs and risks. There is evidence to show that plans are monitored, reviewed and updated, which keeps them current. Plans are reviewed with young people through regular key work sessions. This allows them input into their own plans and ensures they have a full understanding of the plans and strategies in place for them.

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Quality of care outstanding

Detailed monthly reports are compiled by home and sent out to social workers and parents. The format of these reports have been reviewed and updated since the previous inspection. This is deemed to be one of a number of outstanding example's of the home's capacity to reflect and improve practice, with the aim of improving outcomes for young people.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home provides a warm, welcoming, child friendly and homely environment. The overall standards of repair and quality of equipment, fixtures, furnishings and décor are high. Since the previous inspection, one of the improvements made is the installation of a complete new kitchen. Young people take pride in the home and in their bedrooms which are personalised to reflect their own taste. Young people are seen to be at ease and relaxed in their environment, where photographs, mementos and personal belongings displayed around the home, reflect their positive experiences.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people become engaged in a wide range of meaningful activities that not only gives them new experiences, but often leads them towards taking up a new hobby or developing a new interest. For example, one young person has joined a local football team, another is looking at a range of options which include dance. This helps young people to develop greater self-confidence as well as expanding their social networks.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home has good arrangements in place to safeguard and protect young people. Incidents of a potential safeguarding nature are referred appropriately to external agencies, following and adhering to locally agreed multi-agency protocols. Staff understand their role and responsibilities in promoting young people's welfare and in keeping them safe. Incidents where young people do put themselves and at times, others at risk are managed effectively. Training opportunities for specific needs such 8 of 10 as child sexual exploitation is an area of development and improvement.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people say that bullying is not an area of concern for them and confirm staff are quick to intervene should an incident occur. This adds to their feelings of security and general safety within the home. Staff are aware of a person's ability to bully or be bullied. Bullying is an area often discussed to re-enforce to young people they live in an environment where bullying is not tolerated.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff work pro-actively to stop young people from going missing and have a good detailed knowledge of each young person in their care. On occasions, this helps them to retrieve young people without them becoming a missing person. However, risk assessments are kept updated to ensure vulnerable young people are reported missing within the agreed timescale. Good relationships are maintained with the external agencies charged with keeping young people safe. The home is signed up to and follows local multi-agency protocols linked to dealing with young people who go missing.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour management is addressed with sensitivity and consistency. Challenging or unsafe behaviour by young people is well managed, with young people being kept safe. Staff are prepared to work through difficult periods with young people, sometimes at a cost to themselves. Where necessary, young people are referred appropriately to specialist services, whose advice regarding the management of unsafe behaviour is sought and acted on.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Despite periods of unrest, sanctions and incidents of physical intervention are not a regular feature of daily life. Staff work supportively in a non-punitive way to address the issues and challenges posed at times by young people. Physical intervention is recognised by staff as a last resort. All behaviour management incidents are monitored and evaluated effectively. Staff training is up to date.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people benefit from being looked after by a stable staff team, which gives them a consistency of care. Appropriate recruitment and clearances procedures are in place, with longer serving staff being re-checked every three years. This is recognised good practice and ensures young people are being looked after by people who have been suitably cleared.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are protected through a range of risk assessments, which are revised and updated regularly. Appropriate service contracts ensure equipment is safe and fit for use. Fire drills take place to ensure young people can safely exit the home if needed. Regular checks to maintain a safe environment are taking place.

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Leadership and management outstanding

9 of 10 The organisation and management of the home is outstanding. The home is managed by a dedicated, highly motivated, child focussed manager who is experienced and suitably qualified. She is well supported by a staff team who buy into the ethos and culture built up within the home over the years. The manager's high aspirations for young people is reflected in the high expectations she has for the performance of the staff team. Staff work with a team centred approach, which provides young people with consistency and a high quality of care.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The supervision and appraisal of staff is taking place consistently and staff say they feel well supported by the manager. An experienced staff team have all completed and gained a suitable, professional qualification. The active, on-going staff training programme helps to keep knowledge updated and current, as well as developing and maintaining skills which are effective in meeting young people’s diverse and complex needs.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The overall monitoring of the home is excellent, with both internal and external monitoring taking place consistently. Monitoring reports are detailed, evaluative and contain elements of quality assurance, which helps to ensure practice is accountable. Young people contribute to monitoring and can discuss their views. Information from monitoring exercises is cascaded into the written development plan for the home, which identifies areas of strength and areas to be improved.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home has an excellent record of compliance. Following the previous inspection, the one requirement and one recommendation made have been addressed positively. This has resulted in improvements to the way the home ensures that staff and others sign to show they have read and understood documents such as placement plans and risk assessments. External monitoring reports have also improved to more accurately reflect the circumstances in the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Since the previous inspection, the manager has introduced a number of new initiatives to help improve the homes own performance. They include; a revision of the format used to record missing from home events, improvements to behaviour support files, along with physical improvements such as providing a new computer for the use of young people.

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Leadership and management outstanding

This is a home that understands its role and how it can help young people achieve improved outcomes. There is a willingness to work constructively through difficult times, by having the ability to see the wider picture and the benefits young people will gain once settled. As a result, young people form strong, trusting relationships with appropriate adults and develop a more socially acceptable lifestyle. This allows them to get to a stage where options increase regarding their long-term futures. 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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