Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

Unique reference number SC450728 Inspector Pauline Yates Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Time-Out Children's Homes Limited Registered person address Timeout Childrens Homes Ltd, Unit 2 Mill Fold, Ripponden SOWERBY BRIDGE West Yorkshire HX6 4DH Responsible individual Debbie Rowlands Registered manager Lisa Jane Collins Date of last inspection 18/06/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 10/02/2015

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Previous inspection improved effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection none

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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 adequate

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Overall effectiveness

This is a good service which has a measurable and positive impact on the young people’s outcomes. Both new and established young people living at the home make good progress across a spectrum of areas. This includes their educational attendance and achievements. Young people develop aspirations for their future and socially mature with growing emotional resilience.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people invest in their home. They enjoy positive and warm relationships with staff and the young people benefit from the trust and respect which is established. This supports the young people to negotiate and positively manage the relationships which are important to them.

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Overall effectiveness

The young people are cared for safely and staff have a good insight into each of their vulnerabilities, strengths and backgrounds. The young people benefit from good behaviour management approaches which are used by staff. As a result their behaviour and relationships with other young people are positive.

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Overall effectiveness

The manager provides suitable leadership to a committed staff team and she is keen on driving forward improvements and tackling the identified weaknesses. The staff team are enthusiastic for the young people to achieve in all areas of their lives. Their interventions ensure that young people’s experiences are both fulfilling and positive. 3 of 11 Overall the home is well run. As a result of this inspection there is one requirement and four recommendations made. The identified shortfalls do not at present impact upon the welfare of the young people. The requirement relates to the appropriate consultation of young people by the independent visitor. The recommendations relate to certain records being kept up to date; appropriate consultation with other agencies over completion of the location assessment; young people being encouraged to read and sign their care plans, and timely completion of therapeutic

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children's home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. No young people were present at this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2014 Interim improved effectiveness 13/11/2013 Full good 21/05/2013 Interim good progress 12/02/2013 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

(2001) Ensure the independent person, when carrying out a visit, shall interview, with their consent, such of the children accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the children's home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion as to whether the children accommodated at the children's home are effectively safeguarded. (Reg 33 (8)) 31/03/2015

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Recommendations

5 of 11 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 children live in a well designed, safe and pleasant homes with adequate space in a suitable location where there is access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which will Promote their development. (NMS 10) In particular reference to the completion of the homes location assessment taking into account information held by other agencies regarding any known risks  Ensure records are clear and up to date and stored securely and contribute to an understanding of the child's life (NMS 22)  Ensure information about the child is recorded clearly and in a way which will be helpful to the child when they access their files now or in the future. Children are actively encouraged to read their files, other than confidential or third party information and to correct errors and add personal statements (NMS 22.5)  Ensure children live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted and where they are able

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Recommendations

to access the services to meet their health needs. With particular reference to timely completion of therapeutic assessments (NMS 6). 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The young people have made good progress with regards to their educational achievements. For some young people this includes recent excellent GCSE results leading to their current study towards ‘A’ levels. Other young people have achieved nearly full school attendance from their starting points of little or no attendance. For some young people new to the home, their progress was described by the school as, ‘Doing really really well.’ Young people’s educational success is not only recognised via formal educational settings but in the wider sense of life experiences. For example, some young people have achieved Duke of Edinburgh awards, successfully maintain part-time jobs, attend Children’s Rights council meetings and have active social lives which include attendance at music festivals. These positive learning experiences provide recognition and encouragement for the young people. This supports further their willingness and desire to achieve. It contributes to and

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Outcomes for children and young people good

develops their sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities. It acts also to mitigate against previous adverse life experiences and builds their confidence to positively face other challenges. The young people successfully manage opportunities and age appropriate risks in a safe and supported environment.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

For the young people new to the home, their previous challenging behaviour has significantly decreased. This is replaced by an openness to receive advice and successfully manage their emotions in socially acceptable ways. These improvements were noted by the placing social worker leading them to comment that, ‘X has got stability and is maintaining that stability.’ Some young people were able to articulate the positive impact and change which has occurred for them since living at the home. They said that they no longer attempt to run away or meet with people who may pose a risk to their safety. The young people also confirm that they no longer misuse alcohol or drugs, they attend school and no longer damage property. These achievements were confirmed by placing social workers. For the young people new to the home there has been a marked decrease in aggressive and violent responses towards staff and a significant decrease in the need

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Outcomes for children and young people good

for physical intervention. The young people with a previous history of missing from home and risk taking behaviour are rarely involved in these activities.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The young people establish trusting and respectful relationships with staff. These relationships ensure that young people share their concerns and their personal challenges in an open and timely way. Over time this has led to a significant reduction in incidents of self-harm and young people are able to share negative feelings and self-regulate their emotions. Young people improve their emotional health which contributes and provides foundation for success in other areas of their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The young people invest in their home and they have a good sense of ownership and 7 of 11 belonging. They are active in contributing their views and are vocal in changes they would like to see made. Through this investment they learn to care for their immediate environment and learn skills at negotiating change. This is not only with the adults who care for them but also the other young people who live at the home. Young people develop awareness and competence in maintaining their own personal space, managing money and a range of life skills appropriate to their age and development.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from appropriate contact with family and friends. They are supported in maintaining and developing these relationships which contributes to their sense of identity.

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Quality of care good

Young people are supported and have access where appropriate to specialist agencies such as child and adolescent mental health services. Staff are supported in their care of the young people via consultation with the home’s therapist which focuses further the care offered. As part of the early stages of placement the young people benefit from an individual therapeutic assessment. For some young people new to the home, there has been delay in the completion of the final report which limits the improved effectiveness of the care offered.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from good quality relationships and the positive role modelling which staff provide. As a result young people are positively influenced and supported to manage their relationships with friends and family in beneficial ways. The role modelling helps the young people reflect on their behaviour, apologise if appropriate and adjust their future responses. Warmth and mutual respect are features of the communication between young people and staff. This makes the young people feel valued and cared about.

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Quality of care good

Expectations and boundaries are clearly and confidently communicated by the staff within a nurturing context. One young person commented, ‘They are really really caring.’ The relationships between the staff and young people are such that the young people manage their emotions in a positive way and share their concerns. Acceptable behaviour is primarily promoted through discussion and as a result sanctions are rarely used. The commitment which young people make to developing relationships with staff and contributing to the home is also reflected in the views of the professionals involved

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Quality of care good

The young people personalise their rooms and there is a homely and comfortable feel to the building. The staff welcome the young people’s friends and family to the home, in line with care plans and contact arrangements. The ability of young people to invite friends supports them to make appropriate peer relationships. The young people are supported and encouraged to make safe leisure choices and take age appropriate risks. For example, attending large organised music festivals 8 of 11 and staying over at friends’ houses. These are facilitated and supported by staff, in line with appropriate consultation and agreement of allocated social workers. Young people are involved in other activities such as the cinema, laser quest, baking, walking and using the trampoline. The achievements of the young people both large and small are celebrated and rewarded by staff. These have included residential spa events to smaller items such as music cd’s and beauty products.

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Quality of care good

The young people are actively encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential in education. This support covers the spectrum of abilities of the young people and staff are committed to each young person’s progress. They are not only supported to complete the homework required, but are provided with extra learning opportunities to supplement their formal education. This level of encouragement was noted by one school. They reported that staff had completed without request extra work in both maths and science with a young person. One headteacher commented, ‘I cannot fault them.’

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Quality of care good

The young people benefit from the strong professional relationships that staff develop and maintain with other agencies. Some young people are supported on a daily basis within their educational settings and this liaison is particularly close. Other professionals report good attendance by staff at meetings and reviews.

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Quality of care good

The young people feel listened to in their views about how the home is run. The young people know how to make a complaint and feel able to do so. This consultation is evident in the young people’s meetings, keyworker sessions and the plans which some young people have developed with staff. For example, improvements to the garden and redecoration of the sitting room. Young people make active contributions in keyworker sessions and seek appropriate changes to their incentive planners. They are supported and are active in contributing to their reviews and are vocal in making and negotiating requests. Some young people are not as active in contributing to and signing their care plans, which limits their comprehensive involvement in the delivery of the care they receive. As a result of this omission a recommendation is made to this end.

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Quality of care good

The young people are actively encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles. This is demonstrated through the provision of balanced and nutritious food, promotion of community based activities, keyworker sessions and support in smoking cessation. The young people understand the detrimental effects of smoking on their health and they are actively discouraged by staff.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The young people say they are safe and feel safe with the care they offered and professionals agree. For some young people new to the home risk taking behaviour such as missing from home incidents, drug and alcohol misuse, and risks of sexual exploitation have significantly reduced. One placing social worker commented, 9 of 11 ‘Safeguarding is very good and X doesn’t put (themselves) at risk now, risk taking behaviour has decreased without a doubt, in fact its non-existent now.’ Young people say that bullying is not a feature at the home and that the relationships with each other are in fact very positive. Missing from home incidents and unauthorised absences are extremely rare and when they have occurred staff respond appropriately in line with risk assessments and protocols. Staff are active in locating and remaining in contact with the young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

These positive outcomes for young people are underpinned by nurturing and open relationships which the young people develop with staff. Behaviour management strategies are built on discussion and advice which the young people positively respond to. The staff demonstrate a good understanding of the vulnerabilities and backgrounds of each young person and the safeguarding processes which complement their work. Risk assessments are detailed and updated and these assessments inform the advice offered to young people and keyworker discussions that take place. As a result of these approaches, sanctions and physical intervention are rarely used or required. When they are employed there is appropriate oversight and monitoring by the registered manager.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There are robust and safe recruitment procedures which are employed which ensure that the young people are cared for by staff who do not pose a risk their welfare. Suitable safeguarding training is provided to staff. The home is appropriately located in a pleasant area and the home is physically safe and secure.

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Leadership and management adequate

The registered manager has been in post since July 2013 and is both suitably qualified and experienced. The manager demonstrates good insight into the needs of each young person and can demonstrate the difference the home has made to their progress. The manager undertakes regular monitoring of the standards of care provided. This monitoring is not sufficiently robust as some key documents have not been updated in a timely manner or sufficiently reflect the progress. These omissions do not immediately impact upon the welfare of the young people, but does reduce comprehensive and effective oversight in evaluating the impact of quality of care on young people. The homes location assessment has been completed but does not utilise liaison with other agencies which limits its insight into risk.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager is supported by a committed and enthusiastic staff team who are passionate with regards to providing individualised care and improved outcomes for the young people. Good quality and regular supervision is provided to the staff team and they report high levels of support both formally and informally. One experienced member staff commented, ‘She has been the best boss I have ever had in any job.’ Staff are encouraged and supported to develop professionally and benefit from the appraisal system and training which is made available. Staff practice is further strengthened by their regular consultation with the home’s 10 of 11 therapist. These good systems compliment the individual support received by staff which helps them to continue to effectively meet all young people’s needs.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home is well maintained and is welcoming. Regular health and safety checks are carried out which ensure that the young people are cared for in a safe environment. Statutory reviews are within timescales and the Statement of Purpose is up to date and clear to other professionals. Notifications are appropriately completed and there is good oversight of any presenting safeguarding issues.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager demonstrates capacity for driving forward improvements having met previous recommendations and attained improved effectiveness at the interim inspection. The manager has implemented an achievable and young person focused development plan. She is aware of both the strengths and weaknesses of the home and understands how previous changes in staffing have affected the young people’s need for stability. This has been resolved. One young person confirmed this by stating they had raised it with staff and, ‘That has been sorted now and I’m glad about it.’ A placing social worker also aware of these changes added, ‘However despite this drawback the positives for X outweigh this.’ The arrangements over this period lead to one young person making a complaint which is in the process of being responded to by the Registered Manager. The monthly monitoring undertaken by the independent visitor does not routinely include the views of parents, young people

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Leadership and management adequate

and professionals and therefore a recommendation is made in this respect. 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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