Children's Home run by Moonreach LTD in Kent

Unique reference number SC448997 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Moonreach Limited Registered person address 28 Castle Street DOVER Kent CT16 1PW

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Responsible individual Linda Cowie Registered manager Fern Margaret Cowie Date of last inspection 14/11/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 12/02/2015

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Previous inspection sustained effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make rapid progress in a comfortable and homely environment where they feel safe and secure. They see it as natural that their views are valued and contribute appropriately to the things that happen each day in their home. As a result of the care they receive, young people settle and form positive relationships with staff and each other. Significant reductions in worrying behaviours that previously put them at risk or made them vulnerable are noted in a relatively short period of time. Parents and placing social workers express gratitude and praise for the quality of care young people receive. They express the view that young people are happier and more content following difficult and challenging periods of their lives.

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Overall effectiveness

Managers and staff work closely with other agencies. The individual needs of young people are accurately assessed, prioritised and planned for. As a result the behaviours of young people are carefully and safely managed within a clear structure. Young people engage positively with their education, some do so following extended periods of school refusal. They take more responsibility for their personal learning and begin to positively look toward their futures.

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Overall effectiveness

A committed staff team is purposefully led by an established and passionate 3 of 10 Registered Manager. After experiencing considerable change in their lives, young people benefit from the consistency and continuity provided by the small staff team. Clear procedures are efficiently utilised to monitor all aspects of the home. An earnest desire to provide the best possible service to young people drives improvements in the home and influences practice.

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Overall effectiveness

No breaches of regulation are identified. However, one recommendation is made to ensure there is clarity about arrangements for the supervision of the Registered Manager. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of 2 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2014 Interim sustained effectiveness 14/03/2014 Interim good progress 02/10/2013 Full good 29/11/2012 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 suitable arrangements exist for professional supervision of the Registered Manager. (NMS 19.3) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make significant and positive changes as a direct result of living in this home. Some can see the changes in themselves and indicate that they are proud or pleased about this. Others struggle to recognise improvements but parents, social workers and other professionals are open about the positive impact the home has had on these young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

One parent said, 'She is happier here', adding, ‘This home has done her a lot of good.’ A social worker said they felt the young person they work with was, 'more settled and appeared to be more content.' The behaviour of young people reflects these views. They do not repeat behaviours that previously put them at risk. Young people themselves identify that they do not go missing as frequently as they did before. One parent highlighted this saying, ‘If she wasn't happy she'd be gone; the police would be bringing her back all the time.’ Specifically, young people no longer board trains without tickets, travelling away from the safety of the home, or leave the home to walk the streets on their own late at night. Where some young people would inappropriately contact emergency services by making telephone calls they no longer do this. Instead they respond positively to the care provided that both identifies and

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Outcomes for children and young people good

meets their needs. This care enables young people to feel both physically and emotionally safe.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Through strong advocacy from managers and staff, young people are able to access services that meet their emotional and psychological needs. This supports them in being able to make sense of past experiences and move on with their lives. This also encourages other positive outcomes for young people. For some, engagement in education provision dramatically improves after extensive periods of non-attendance. One young person explained that they now have full attendance in line with their personal timetable. By contrast they indicated that in the preceding year they had only attended on two or three occasions. Even when they are not scheduled to be in formal education they now demonstrate an eagerness to progress and partake in learning activities. Other young people attend college to complete courses specifically chosen to meet their individual needs. This allows them to talk openly and positively about their future plans. This enthusiasm and ambition represents a significant

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have a clear say about things related to the home, the day-to-day events and changes that are brought about. This is their home and they are helped to understand this. Their ideas lead directly to changes and improvements within the home. Young people are able to personalise their individual space, but also influence decisions about matters such as the décor of the home, activities and events. This helps them understand that their views are valued and respected. 6 of 10 Young people are actively involved in a wide range of activities in their local community. Some join organised uniformed groups with the purpose of learning first aid and safeguarding others through community service. This attitude of young people towards social responsibility is extended to offering to volunteer at local charity shops. Equally, when young people act inappropriately they demonstrate a willingness to take responsibility for their actions and apologise to members of their

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are beginning to benefit from actions that will, in time, help prepare them for a successful transition to independence and adult life. Considered work with placing authorities helps to identify and meet specific needs in this regard. Consequently young people are seen as individuals and are able to progress plans at their own pace. This work is well documented and helps young people to understand their areas of confidence, along with identifying the skills they would like to develop.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from excellent examples of working with families and placing authorities to ensure contact is undertaken appropriately. Extensive recording of contact helps to inform decisions made by placing authorities. Positive friendships forged in the local community are also encouraged. With appropriate safeguards and consultation with parents and placing social workers young people are able to enjoy visits to their friend’s homes.

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Quality of care good

The quality of relationships between the staff and the young people is a key strength of this home. A small, but committed staff team provides genuine continuity and consistency that young people respond to extremely well. Managers and staff exhibit a calmness of approach, friendliness, warmth and kindness. The inspector observed this throughout this inspection. As a direct consequence, young people experience a model of good behaviour. They respond positively to this in ways that directly impact upon their interactions with staff and each other. While there are disagreements or difficulties in the relationships between the young people, these are addressed effectively by staff who ensure resolutions are reached swiftly.

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Quality of care good

Young people who have moved on since the last inspection have done so to receive specialist provision. Young people who previously lived in the home remain in regular contact with the manager and staff, providing evidence of positive relationships built while living in this home.

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Quality of care good

Placing social workers identify that through the quality of care received young people are helped to manage their own behaviours better. This view is reinforced by parents and external agencies. Specialist police officers confirm that records of contact from or in relation to young people placed in this home have significantly reduced in recent months. Managers and staff are pro-active in engaging external services that will benefit young people now and in the future. When services are not immediately 7 of 10 accessible they take steps to commission these. This provides young people with access to services such as counselling or therapy to improve their emotional health and well-being.

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Quality of care good

Young people are confident and comfortable in expressing their views. A clear complaints process is available to them, although they invariably choose not to pursue a formal route. Instead they are clear that staff listen to issues they raise or suggestions they make. Appropriate action is consistently taken to address any matters young people raise. Consultation with young people is central to the everyday running of the home. This enables young people to contribute to plans about their own care.

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Quality of care good

Fundamentally, young people are seen as individuals to ensure that the range of their personal needs are both identified and met. Good quality placement plans are formulated promptly at the point of admission. These documents link closely with 24 hour management plans and personalised risk assessments. The quality of these documents ensures that staff are clearly informed how young people are to be cared for and kept safe. Frequent review and revision of all key documents guarantees that information is always kept up to date.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a home that is suitably located and well maintained. Consequently young people have the opportunity to blend in with the local community. The accommodation feels homely. As much as possible it is presented as a typical family home, with regulatory requirements having minimal impact upon the homes internal appearance. The natural presentation of the home is augmented by the fact that a maximum of two children or young people live here. At the time of this inspection only young women were living in the home. Parents indicated that they were in favour of this approach and the quality of supervision their children receive.

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Quality of care good

The home’s location means that young people are able to engage in a wide range of activities that promote their health at the same time as stimulating hobbies and interests. This helps them keep fit and healthy at the same time as providing new and exciting experiences.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Managers and staff use initial referral information and their developing knowledge of young people to identify factors that impinge upon the safety of individual young people. Clear plans are produced and set out in a straightforward style. This ensures that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. Risks and triggers that may cause young people to place themselves in vulnerable situations are coherently recognised and acted upon, leaving young people with a strong sense of safety and well-being. 8 of 10 Young people evidence this sense of security through making significant changes to their behaviours. Some say clearly that they recognise these improvements in their behaviours. Placing social workers confirm accounts given by certain young people of reductions in self-harming behaviours. Young people say that they no longer go missing when this was previously a frequent occurrence. Parents highlight that this

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Keeping children and young people safe good

change is a fundamental difference for their children. Consequently parents feel reassured that their children are being cared for safely and appropriately.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A strong and pro-active working relationship with police officers specialising in missing persons has contributed to the significant reduction in the incidence of young people going missing. This has a considerable impact in limiting risks to young people, in particular their vulnerability to exploitation. Due to the quality of relationships between staff and young people, young people now seek support rather than put themselves at risk. Even when they do feel the need to leave the premises, they allow staff to go with them. One social worker commented that it was a new development that a particular young person had returned voluntarily after going for a walk. Leaders and managers demonstrate an awareness of the need to remain vigilant. They acknowledge the progress made, but remain alert to subtle changes that could represent a need to adjust their approach.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Physical restraints of young people are rare and only ever used in line with the regulatory framework. Detailed records reflect a good level of discussion with young people and staff after any incident. The quality of monitoring from the Registered Manager is good. This contributes to the understanding of the different young people and their needs. There is a continuity of care provided by the small number of staff. This helps ensure there is consistency in the approaches used with young people, in particular the techniques used to de-escalate situations and avoid the need for restraint.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Various changes to organisational recruitment processes have been introduced since the last inspection. The improvements more robustly ensure adherence to best practice and help to safeguard young people.

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Leadership and management good

An experienced Registered Manager competently and passionately leads the staff team. She is extensively involved in the running of this home on a day-to-day basis. The Registered Manager’s commitment and enthusiasm ensures that she is a positive role model for the staff team. A desire to drive improvements in the quality of care and deliver positive outcomes for young people is consistently communicated. Positive results have been evidenced in relatively short periods for the young people placed currently. An ability to be flexible and think creatively leads to adaptability in meeting the changing needs of individual young people. For example, the group of young people living in the home has completely changed since the time of the last inspection. This has meant that the presenting needs of young people are now 9 of 10 fundamentally different. However, within a matter of months, genuine and demonstrable progress has been made in the lives of the young women now living in

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Leadership and management good

Monitoring practice is good, and leads to a detailed understanding of the service, its strengths and areas where further improvement is required. When necessary, prompt action is taken to address actual or perceived shortfalls. For example, when issues arose about the independence of the regular visitor to the home immediate action was taken to identify a new visitor. This ensures adherence to the Children’s Homes Regulations. While no requirements or recommendations were made at the last inspection, the actions of leaders and managers contribute to an ongoing agenda of improvement.

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Leadership and management good

Care staff appreciate and benefit from high quality training that supports them to undertake their role effectively. Their performance is appraised before the completion of any probationary period and thereafter, at least once each year. Mid-year reviews ensure that progress against personal development targets remains on track. Individual members of staff are further support through the provision of regular, structured supervision in line with organisational policies. However, the current arrangements for the supervision of the Registered Manager lack clarity. Changes are taking place to ensure that the Registered Manager’s full range of needs is met. Consequently, during this time of transition they are left in a difficult position due to the ambiguity of their situation.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager ensures that the home is well maintained. The continued financial viability of the service is reflected in this direct investment in the premises. This improves the quality of care provided to young people. Health and safety arrangements are competently met. Young people are encouraged to play their part in this regard. Young people assist staff with testing of fire alarm systems and those with relevant qualifications assist in checking and restocking first aid kits.

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Leadership and management good

Recording is of a good standard and provides a full account of each day young people spend in the home. Young people are able to access records made about them, promoting their rights, but also helping them to understand events in their lives. Effective systems allow efficient cross referencing to other key documents or reports relating to incidents, accidents, restraints or sanctions. 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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