Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Derby

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are kept as safe as possible and their lives start to stabilise while living in the home.  Staff support young people with complex emotional and behavioural difficulties well. Improvements in behaviour enable young people to engage in more community activities and it enhances family relationships. This helps to increase young people’s confidence, self-esteem and sense of identity.  Young people who engage in risk-taking behaviours such as self-harm, drug and alcohol misuse, criminal activity and going missing are supported to make positive changes. As a result, from their starting points, risk-taking behaviours reduce.  Staff have good insight into the individual needs of young people and they create an emotionally safe environment from where young people can progress. Young people state that there is always someone they trust present who they can talk to and who listens to them.  Managers and staff work in close partnership with placing authorities,

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The children's home provision is good because:

schools and alternative educational providers, specialist mental health services and other professionals. This ensures that approaches to care are regularly reviewed on a multi-agency basis and consistently provided.  Staff are driven by an enthusiastic, motivated and aspirational manager. Staff feel well supported, and morale within the home is good. Staff share the manager’s vision to significantly improve the life chances of young people living in this home.  Managers and leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and have clear plans for continual improvements to the service.  Improvements to the physical environment of the home are required. While this is not having an impact on the safety of young people, this would provide a more homely environment for them.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so far as to meet the needs of each child, with particular reference to providing a homely environment. (Regulation 6 (2) (c)(i)) 15/07/2015

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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 when a young person returns to the home after being missing from care or away from home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the young person to have an independent return home interview. (The Guide 9.30)

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Information about this children's home

 This private home is registered to care for seven young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is divided between two buildings on the same site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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good

Young people’s experiences and overall progress are good. A young person said: ‘Staff have helped me to become a 15 year old again. My life was in chaos before and it is so much better now. I have become more confident, the staff encourage me to do lots of things and they praise me when I achieve things.’ Young people’s lives stabilise. They experience structure and they develop life and coping skills. As a result, young people’s life chances improve.

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good

Young people have excellent relationships with staff. One young person said: ‘The staff are like family and I love them to bits. I get on with all of them.’ Another young person commented: ‘Some staff know me really well now and know how I am feeling without me having to say anything. It feels nice to be understood by staff.’ The positive relationships young people have formed with a consistent team of committed staff and the emotionally warm and welcoming environment created by them, provide a secure emotional base from where young people can develop.

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good

Some young people are making good educational progress and are predicted to achieve good GCSE grades. For other young people who have been excluded from school or who are attending alternative educational provisions, the manager and staff have worked tirelessly to improve the educational experiences and opportunities for these young people. Staff liaise closely with education providers with an aim of improving young people’s opportunities to reach their educational potential.

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good

Young people enjoy improved physical, emotional and psychological health as a result of living in this home. A young person commented: ‘When I first came here I was struggling in lots of ways and the staff have helped me through many difficulties. I have gained weight and feel so much healthier. Before, I was doing drugs and drinking alcohol and I have stopped this now.’ A social worker said: ‘Living in this home has really helped this young person emotionally. She is more stable and is finding ways to deal with her emotions through talking.’ Close attention and support in respect of young people’s individual health needs impacts positively and significantly on their physical, emotional and psychological well- being.

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good

Young people develop a far more positive self-view as a result of the support and encouragement they receive from staff. A young person said: ‘I have done more activities and I have been pushed out of my comfort zone. I now do things like swimming and skating. I am more confident and do not worry what other people think. I can be ‘me’. Staff accept me for who I am and so should other people.’

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good

Young people are respected and valued in the home. Their views are sought in respect of the day-to-day running of the home through weekly young people’s meetings, monthly questionnaires regarding the quality of care, and through regular keywork sessions. A young person said: ‘Our suggestions get listened to. For example, I did not like my room and so I have picked new things and now we are decorating it.’ Good levels of communication and consultation impact positively on young people. They feel listened to and this helps raise their self-esteem and confidence.

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good

Young people have access to appropriate leisure pursuits. Their individual interests are promoted and all regularly engage in activities they enjoy in the local community, such as roller skating, musical activities and swimming. Young people also engage in charitable events. For example, they have recently sent gifts and essential items to children in Kathmandu. The participation in leisure activities enables young people to socialise and make friends and feel an integral part of their community. Their engagement in charitable activities increases young people’s awareness of social issues.

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good

The manager and staff understand how important it is for young people to maintain strong links with their family and significant friends. As a result, staff work closely with parents, relatives and other significant people to promote and support these relationships where appropriate. Practical help is given to facilitate contact, even for those young people who are placed some way from home. A young person said: ‘It is hard being away from home and I wish I was closer. However, the staff do take me to see my friends regularly. It really helps me maintain my friendships.’ This helps to enhance young people’s sense of identity and self-esteem.

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good

Young people say they feel safe and social workers and family members report that they are safer as a result of living in this home. One parent said: ‘The staff are good at keeping my daughter safe. Incidents are handled really well. My daughter is learning all of the time and as a result her risky behaviours are reducing.’ Another parent said: ‘My daughter is safer as staff keep a close eye on her while also allowing her to develop her independence skills.’

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good

Staff are trained in respect of safeguarding practices and work in accordance with the home’s safeguarding policies. They know how to respond should a young person make a disclosure to them. They are also aware of the home’s whistle blowing policy should they identify practice which could potentially place a young person at risk of harm. When potential concerns have arisen, the Registered Manager has consulted with the local authority designated officer and thoroughly investigated allegations and complaints. This reduces the risk of abuse in the home.

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good

Young people are helped and protected as a result of comprehensive risk management plans being implemented by staff. Staff undertake direct work with young people in order to address risky behaviours relating to specific difficulties such as self-harm, violence, drug and alcohol misuse and criminal behaviour. This, as well as good working relationships with partner agencies and regular multi- agency meetings to monitor and review the progress young people are making in relation to their specific difficulties, ensures that risk management plans remain effective and consistently implemented. As a result, young people receive the most appropriate support services to meet their specific need. This helps reduce incidents of risk-taking behaviour. Consequently, young people are better safeguarded.

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good

Despite some young people having a significant history of going missing prior to living in this home, incidents of missing from care significantly reduce. Staff have a good understanding of the risks associated with each young person and supervise them very closely. On the four occasions that young people have gone missing since the last inspection, staff have robustly implemented the home’s missing from care procedures. As a result, young people were quickly located and returned to the home. Staff welcome young people back into the home and undertake debriefs with them to explore the reasons which led to them going missing. Independent return interviews organised by the placing authorities are not consistently carried out. Managers and staff need to challenge placing authorities and seek clarity as to how independent return interviews should be carried out. Independent return interviews provide an extra layer of safety for vulnerable young people.

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good

Young people’s behaviour is well managed. A social worker commented: ‘The consequences and boundaries in place are consistent and individualised.’ An embedded ethos of proactive behaviour management, as outlined in the home’s Statement of Purpose, is effective. Young people have incentives to work towards which promote positive behaviour. As a result, young people are frequently rewarded for positive behaviour and there are far fewer negative consequences. When physical intervention is used as a very last resort, this is recorded in detail and young people are always asked to express and record their views in respect of the intervention. Good management oversight of measures of control and restraint is evident. This increases the capacity for practice to further improve in this area.

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good

A requirement in respect of a health and safety issue at the last inspection has been met. The home has an up-to-date gas safety certificate and all health and safety checks are consistently undertaken. This ensures that the home environment remains physically safe.

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good

The Registered Manager has been in post as the manager of this home since September 2014 and she became registered in March 2015. She is on target to complete the required manager’s qualification within timescales set out within the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.

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good

The home is very well managed by a committed and enthusiastic manager. She is knowledgeable and insightful in respect of the issues that affect the young people living in the home. She uses this knowledge and insight, alongside good levels of consultation with staff, young people, stakeholders and other professionals involved with the home to constantly identify ways to further improve the experiences of young people living in the home.

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good

One complaint made since the last inspection has been thoroughly investigated and recorded in line with the home’s complaints procedure. A requirement set in relation to the complaints process at the last inspection has been met. The Registered Manager is very reflective in her practice and lessons have been learnt. Shortfalls identified in relation to a member of staff’s practice have been fully addressed as a result of the complaint and comprehensive investigation. Consequently young people benefit from improved staff practice.

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good

Young people’s case files provide a full and coherent picture of all aspects of care being provided to each young person. Monthly file audits undertaken by the manager ensure that all records are up-to-date and all placement plans and risk assessments are regularly updated. Minutes of statutory reviews, strategy meetings and multi-agency meetings are on file and outstanding minutes are chased as a matter of routine. Two recommendations in relation to case recording at the last inspection have been met.

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good

Staff undertake a comprehensive programme of training which covers mandatory and specialist areas in relation to young people’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. As a consequence of good quality training, young people benefit from care provided to them by skilled staff who are equipped to meet their emotional and behavioural needs.

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good

Staff feel well supported and valued by their manager. Morale is high and staff report high satisfaction in their work. Staff attend regular team meetings which discuss practice issues. They also receive regular, formal supervision which is well recorded. Productive team meetings and regular good quality supervision ensure that practice is monitored. It also provides scope for further improvements in the delivery of care.

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good

The manager has taken action to meet a requirement set at the last inspection in relation to the physical home environment. A programme of work has commenced to improve the presentation of the outside of the main building and the garden areas. There has, however, been some delay in this work being completed. In addition, there has been some delay in a young person’s bedroom being redecorated to remove graffiti from one of the walls. While not having an impact on the safety of young people in the home, this shortfall means that young people continue to live in an environment which is not as homely, comfortable and attractive as they deserve. As a result, a further requirement is set.

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good

The home fulfils its commitment to young people, as outlined in the updated Statement of Purpose. It provides clear and accurate information to parents and placing authorities about the care and services the home offers. Young people are also provided with good information about the home via a comprehensive young people’s guide.

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good

Systems to effectively monitor the progress young people make while living in this home are established. Weekly progress reports enable social workers to see what young people have achieved over time, educationally, behaviourally, emotionally and socially. A monthly auditing tool is also used to monitor and evaluate patterns and trends in behaviours and the progress young people are making in the different areas of their development. As a result, the manager is able to clearly demonstrate the impact living in the home is having on young people.

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good

In addition to the above, quality assurance monitoring of the home, both externally and internally is effective in identifying strengths and minor shortfalls in the home. Shortfalls are promptly addressed. This, as well as the manager’s action plans, is indicative of a service which strives to continually improve.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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