Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspector Tracy Murty

Previous inspection judgement Declined effectiveness

p.2

Inspector Tracy Murty

Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

people living in the home are

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

p.2

This children’s home provision is good because:

 All young people have educational provision in place and their attendance is very good. From their starting points, they have made improvements in relation to their educational achievements.  An education provider for one young person stated; ‘they have shown great improvement in English. Their attendance has greatly improved; due to the positive effect moving to this home has had on him. This young person is in a much better place now and is not displaying any serious risk taking behaviours.’  Staff work closely and proactively with education providers to meet the complex needs of the young people. This includes ensuring that there is structured work in place for them within the home, due to temporary exclusions.  Parents spoken with during this inspection all reported noticeable improvements in relation to their children’s attendance and achievements in education.  A key strength of this home is in how well it supports young people with their

p.2

This children’s home provision is good because:

complex emotional and mental health needs. All young people receive the support and specialist services they need in a very timely manner.  Excellent multi-agency working takes place. For some young people, this has included accessing local and independent counselling and mental health services, which had previously not been in place for them. The staff team demonstrate a detailed awareness and understanding of their needs and work hard to ensure that such needs are considered and addressed. This has led to a reduction in concerning behaviours and in young people increasing in confidence and self-help skills.  Managers have sourced independent consultancy services for some young people and arranged for specialist health related training courses for staff. This promotes a skilled and competent workforce, who are able to meet the complex emotional health needs of young people living in this home.  Young people benefit from having regular and positive contact with family

p.2

This children’s home provision is good because:

members and those significant in their lives. Young people spoken with during this inspection reported feeling happy at levels of contact and in how well the staff support them in this area of their lives.  Young people take part in a wide range of social activities in the local and wider community. This includes attendance at local youth clubs, swimming and holidays to the seaside. This promotes the engagement and inclusion of young people in the local and wider community. It increases their sense of worth and self- confidence.  Parents report high levels of satisfaction at the support staff provide to their children and how well they support contact. One parent stated; ‘the staff always keep in touch with me, the home is lovely and my child really enjoys living there and looks forward to contact with me more now.’

p.3

This children’s home provision is good because:

 The home is decorated and furnished to a very good standard and provides a homely and welcoming environment for young people. Bedrooms have been highly personalised and reflect the individual preferences of young people.  Any damage caused has been repaired to a good standard since the last inspection. Young people have been actively involved in undertaking decorating tasks, selecting colours and assisting staff to repaint internal areas of the home. This promotes a sense of this being their home and is also a positive restorative approach to any damage they may have caused to the home environment.

p.3

This children’s home provision is good because:

 Managers understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and have clear plans in place to address them. The Statement of Purpose has not been reviewed or updated for some time and has not been sent in to Ofsted.  Staff report feeling well supported in their roles. They feel listened to by managers and able to make suggestions to improve the care they provide to young people. They receive regular supervision, training and present as skilled and competent in all areas of their work.  Any reported incidents of bullying are responded to and an anti-bullying policy is in place. A more structured approach to bullying and clearer recording would assist staff and managers to better respond to any actual or potential incidents involving young people.  The staff team and managers work very collaboratively with placing authorities, parents and other agencies. All feedback gained during this inspection was very

p.3

This children’s home provision is good because:

positive. Such positive multi-agency working has led to improvements in the emotional wellbeing, social skills and educational achievements of young people.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

16 ensure that the statement of purpose is kept under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify Ofsted of any revisions and send Ofsted a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 06/06/2015

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that young people are informed of how to contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for advice and assistance about their rights and entitlements (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 22 paragraph 4.19)

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that staff understand what they must do to prevent bullying of young people by other young people. Registered persons must ensure that that procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying are in place and staff have the skills required to intervene, protect and address bullying behaviours effectively.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, paragraph 8.16)

p.5

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home, which is part of a small privately owned organisation, can accommodate up to three children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/06/14 Full Good 24/02/2015 Interim Declined effectiveness

p.6

Good

Young people’s experiences and progress are good. From their starting points and experiences prior to moving to this home, they report feeling happier and that they are making good progress. One placing social worker commented, ‘this is the best placement the young person has had. They are making real progress with staff support.’ Another social worker stated, ‘they take the young person out and do lots of things with him, which didn’t happen in their last placement.’

p.7

Good

Staff spoken with during this inspection demonstrate a detailed understanding of the needs of each young person and their role in supporting them. Staff ratios are high, enabling them to spend quality time with young people and supporting their progress in all areas of their lives. Young people develop very positive relationships with staff and identify staff they feel able to speak with about any issues or concerns they may have. They develop in confidence and social skills, due to such nurturing care and support.

p.7

Good

Young people are clear about how to make a complaint and can identify trusted adults they feel confident to speak with about any issues they may have. The children’s guide does not currently contain information about how to contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. This would provide them with more options for independent support. There have been no reported complaints from young people or others since the home opened.

p.7

Good

Educational attendance and engagement of young people is very good. Staff proactively support them, with some young people benefitting from having 1:1 staff support during education hours. Staff place great value on education and work closely with education providers to ensure that work is sent home, when young people are not able to attend. Young people accept this and show a real desire to learn. They have access to educational materials to support their learning in the home and take part in social activities, which also support their learning outside of school time.

p.7

Good

A range of stimulating and age appropriate social activities are provided to young people. Staff fully consult with them as to what they would like to do each week and plan for holidays. Young people now attend local youth clubs, leisure centres and feel fully integrated into their local community. This promotes their sense of belonging and self-worth.

p.7

Good

Staff support and encourage young people to learn new skills, which will assist a smooth transition to adult life. This includes them assisting in food shopping, cooking, cleaning and other tasks around the home. Young people develop in confidence and competence because of this.

p.7

Good

The holistic health needs of all young people are very well met in this home. A real strength is in relation to how well the psychological and emotional needs of young people are met. Managers have sourced independent specialist services for some young people and ensured that mental health services are in place in a very timely manner. Because of this excellent multi-agency working, young people quickly begin to engage with health services and learn how to manage any concerning or risky behaviours in a safe manner.

p.8

Good

Staff have also received additional training, to meet the specific needs of young people. This reflects managers’ commitment to ensuring that the workforce is competent and skilled to meet the complex needs of each young person living in the home at any time.

p.8

Good

Planning for new admissions to the home is very detailed and sensitive. Recent new admissions have included staff visiting the young person prior to their move to the home. Young people have been able to visit the home prior to moving in, to meet staff and other young people and ask any questions they may have. This has led to young people and their families feeling well supported during the introductory process and alleviated any anxieties they may have. One parent stated how impressed they were with how the move was managed by staff for their child.

p.8

Good

Staff display high levels of knowledge and insight into each young person’s cultural, religious and behavioural needs. They support young people to understand their backgrounds and offer clear guidance and structure on a daily basis. This has led to improved outcomes for young people over time.

p.8

Good

Each young person has a range of risk assessments in place, identifying their specific needs and how they will be met. Staff regularly review and update these to ensure they continue to keep young people safe from harm.

p.8

Good

There has been one incident of a young person going missing since the home opened last year. Staff took all necessary steps to ensure the prompt return of the young person and worked closely with all relevant agencies. The local police community support officer (PCSO) praised the staff team for how well they work to support young people and keep them safe. The PCSO has also been invited to visit the home informally, to discuss any specific concerns with young people. This further promotes their safety and awareness of the risks associated with certain behaviours and actions.

p.8

Good

The placing authority has not specified who should undertake return interviews for young people who have been missing. The Registered Manager has ensured that an independent person from the organisation has undertaken a return interview for the one missing incident. Clarification is needed from the placing authority as to how return interviews should be carried out and by whom.

p.9

Good

Young people benefit from clear and consistent behaviour management strategies. Staff work closely to ensure that young people understand the consequences of their actions and what sanctions will be put in place. The use of restorative approaches encourages young people to reflect on any concerning or risky behaviours. Some young people have worked with staff to undertake redecoration and repair works in the home, following recent damage caused. This promotes a sense of personal responsibility for young people and their actions.

p.9

Good

Placing authorities report high levels of satisfaction at the quality of the care provided to young people. One placing social worker praised the staff team on their information sharing and multi-agency working. They stated that this has led to a noticeable reduction in anti-social behaviours for one young person over time.

p.9

Good

There is an anti-bullying policy in place, but it does not currently provide clear guidance as to what actions staff should take in relation to bullying within the home. Staff respond to incidents of bullying quickly. Recording of such incidents is not always clear and does not provide a clear oversight of the frequency of such incidents or actions taken. There has been no specific training provided for staff in relation to bullying to date. Staff present as confident and competent in dealing sensitively with such issues, Staff and young people spoken with during the inspection did not report any concerns about bullying, but further training and guidance would further assist staff in responding to and preventing such incidents in the longer-term. There has been no adverse impact on young people because of this shortfall.

p.9

Good

Staff support young people with particularly complex and risky behaviours very well. High staffing levels enable young people to receive the support and attention they require at all times. The use of door alarms for some young people further ensures their safety during the night and enables staff to respond to any concerns. Staff also monitor closely the use of internet and social media usage by young people. Such proactive approaches have led to reductions in concerning behaviours for young people and increased safety.

p.9

Good

The selection and recruitment of staff is rigorous and prevents unsuitable adults from being able to work with young people in this home. There have been no reported concerns or allegations relating to any staff in this home since it opened last year. Staff spoken with during this inspection demonstrated a clear understanding about child protection procedures and reporting of any concerns.

p.9

Good

Managers demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and what action they must take in the event of any concerns or allegations being raised with them. Regular staff meetings and supervision of staff provides further opportunities for staff to discuss any concerns or issues they may have.

p.10

Good

The Registered Manager has been in post since the home opened last year. She has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to perform the role. Staff spoken with during this inspection reported high levels of satisfaction at the management support they received.

p.10

Good

The Registered Manager and deputy manager work closely to ensure that young people make progress and staff receive the support they need to provide good quality care and support. Records clearly reflect the plans for each young person and the progress they have made since moving to live at this home. Managers ensure that staff regularly review and update all risk assessments and plans, in order that they reflect the changing needs of each young person.

p.10

Good

Staff report high levels of satisfaction at the induction, training and supervision provided by managers. One experienced member of staff praised the managers for their strong leadership. They reported feeling able to make suggestions, to raise any issues they may have, confident that they would be listened to.

p.10

Good

The home has a development plan in place. This reflects the current services and objectives for the coming year. Managers present as understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the home and services provided. The staff team and managers understand the aims and objectives set out in their statement of purpose and work to ensure that these are achieved for each young person. The statement of purpose requires some revision and updating at present. This relates to changes in staffing and regulations and has had no adverse impact on the young people.

p.10

Good

The quality of relationships between staff, managers and other involved agencies is very good. All professionals spoken with during this inspection reported very high levels of satisfaction at the professional relationship they enjoy with this home. Placing social workers, police, education providers and parents all reported high levels of satisfaction at the quality of the work done to support young people and commitment of the staff team.

p.10

Good

Records clearly reflect the needs of young people and how staff are meeting them. Young people are encouraged to consider relevant documentation and to comment on their records. There is a clear sense from the records as to how young people are doing in relation to their education, including attendance and achievement information. This reflects the staff team’s and manager’s commitment to ensuring that all progress is known and recorded.

p.11

Good

Staff challenge agencies and involved professionals if they have any concerns about the support or care provided to young people. Care plans inform the services and support required for each young person and staff work hard to ensure that those services are provided. For one young person this has led to mental health services being commissioned in a very timely manner.

p.11

Good

A strong emphasis is placed on education and ensuring that each young person has provision in place to meet their specific needs. Staff work closely with schools and demonstrate a detailed awareness of what support young people need to achieve their potential. Work is done with them at home outside of school time, which further supports their learning at all times.

p.11

Good

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people have personalised their bedrooms to reflect their individual preferences and take pride in them. Communal areas are homely and young people have been consulted on colours for some walls in the home and helped staff to paint them. This promotes their sense of belonging and in taking pride in their home. All agencies and parents spoken with during the inspection commented on the homely and welcoming feel of the home.

p.11

Good

One placing social worker stated that they were consistently impressed with the attitude of the staff team. The social worker felt that all staff presented as highly empathetic to the needs of the young people and clearly motivated to help them achieve positive outcomes.

p.11

Good

The two requirements and three recommendations made at the last inspection have all been met. Repair works have all been completed and a new system introduced to record maintenance work required and completed. Introductions for new young people moving to the home have been dealt with sensitively and included consultation with other young people resident in the home. Dynamic risk assessments are undertaken to determine if restrictions on normal movement are needed for some young people in the home. Such actions are only taken when it is assessed that young people may place themselves or others at risk of harm.

p.11

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.

p.12

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.

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

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.

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.12

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.

p.13

Information about this inspection

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 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 .

p.13

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.

p.14

Information about this inspection

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 .

p.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.14