Children's Home run by Social Care Services Limited in Manchester

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 have positive experiences living at the home. This means they make good progress, given their individual starting points, in all aspects of their lives, including education, health, communication and social awareness.  Managers and staff are able to effectively communicate with young people. Young people are supported to share their views in the home and as part of their individual care planning.  The staff team are well established and settled in the home. This supports young people to develop warm and trusting relationships with individual staff members.  Young people are well supported in maintaining family relationships. Staff ensure that family members are welcomed to the home and young people are provided with individual support to spend meaningful time with people important to them.  Individual independence plans support young people to make progress at a pace which takes into account their individual needs, yet still provides

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The children's home provision is good because:

opportunities for young people develop the skills to prepare them to move on from the home.  Managers and staff work closely with parents and partner agencies such as health, education and placing authorities to provide consistent boundaries and routines. Subsequently young people have an understanding of expected behaviour which reduces their individual anxieties.  Clear links between risk management plans, care planning and behaviour managements strategies demonstrate a good quality of care and protection provided to young people.  The manager is passionate about improving the outcomes for each young person living at the home; she leads by example and is a positive role model. She has an excellent understanding of the strengths and areas of improvement in the home and is committed to securing improvement.  The staff team are well supported by the management team and have access to regular and specific training to ensure they are equipped to meet

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The children's home provision is good because:

the individual needs of the young people in the home.  Young people live in a large family house, the layout provides space for young people to spend time together and also time away from the group. The manager has secured improvement to the décor of the home. The manager is aware of the associated risks in the local area and has developed excellent links with the local neighbourhood police team. She is working closely with the local police officers to ensure they are aware and understand the individual needs of the young people living at the home.

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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

ensure that at least one person on duty at any given time must have a suitable first aid qualification. (Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 12 June 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):  ensure that medicines are administered in line with medically approved protocol. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication (The Guide page 35 paragraph 7.13)

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Recommendations

 ensure when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. (The Guide page 45 paragraph 9.30)

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Information about this children's home

is privately run children's home accommodates up to six young people who have a learning disability and emotional and/or behaviour difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people have made good progress from their individual starting points. They receive highly individualised care from the manager and staff team. They live in a calm, well managed environment which they see as their home. This enables young people to explore their own identities and develop their individual interests. For example young people are encouraged to visit local skate parks and go and support their team at football matches.

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good

A particular strength of the staff team is the ability to develop relationships with young people; this is because the team are well established and experienced in meeting the needs of the young people placed at the home. They are committed to providing a safe environment which encourages young people to develop and grow. One social worker commented, ‘staff have a really good insight into X’s likes and dislikes, he has made excellent progress in all areas, which makes a huge difference to what he can now do.’

p.6

good

Young people who have lived in the home for some time have achieved excellent educational outcomes such as securing apprenticeships and maintaining high attendance at school. One educational professional commented, ‘we work very well together, this means that X’s education has been maintained despite the high levels of risk posed by X’s behaviour.’ Young people recently admitted to the home have settled well into their educational placements and are also making good progress in increasing and maintaining good attendance.

p.6

good

Attendance at medical appointments has improved with young people now regularly attending dentist appointments. They are supported to take medication safely. However, on occasion staff have not recorded the administration of medication. So far this has not impacted on the health and well-being of young people. Staff are trained in first aid, however some training has recently lapsed, the manager has secured training for these individuals and has a clear plan in place for staff to follow if a medical emergency occurs, minimising the risk to young people.

p.6

good

Young people enjoy engaging in physical activities in the local community which improves their physical health and creates a sense of achievement and well-being. They meet with the specialist Looked After Children’s nurse at the home, where they have begun to look at smoking cessation. They live in a caring and nurturing environment and enjoy positive relationships with staff which improves their emotional health and well-being. Young people are supported to engage with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to ensure that their emotional well-being is supported and any emerging needs are identified. One social worker commented, ‘because of the stability of the placement an assessment of X’s individual need has finally been completed, this is because X is the most stable he has ever been.’

p.6

good

Young people’s views are central to the running of the home. The staff team have established regular meetings to gather the views of young people and they engage in key work sessions to ensure their individual views are captured. The staff team are skilled and imaginative in ensuring every young person’s view is taken into account. This is because the staff team know the young people and are able to communicate effectively with them. Young people have a good understanding of the complaints procedure and staff use general discussions and social stories to remind young people of how they can share their views, including any concerns.

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good

Admissions to the home are well planned by the manager, supporting young people to move into the home as calmly and with minimal stress while limiting the impact on young people already in placement. Young people are supported through the admission process to understand the routines and boundaries of the home, which promotes a smooth transition into the home.

p.7

good

All young people are supported to develop life skills at a level which they can understand and manage. This promotes a sense of achievement in young people. One young person commented, ‘I have learned how to cook things slowly and properly.’ Young people are encouraged to complete an eLearning course on safe food handling, which underpins the practical skills they develop.

p.7

good

Young people have regular family contact visits in place, they live relatively close to the home and visits often take place in the home and local community, this provides opportunities for family members to see young people in the home and local areas, as well as maintaining consistency for young people. Staff supervise contacts in line with individual care plans, and have developed good relationships with family members, who comment, ‘I am very happy with my sons placement, he is well supported and I enjoy seeing him at the home.’

p.7

good

The environment is homely and well maintained; the manager has secured some improvements to the decoration, including a new kitchen and carpets. The staff team are continuing to work with young people about respecting the home and work restoratively with young people if they have caused damage. Young people, with the support of staff, have repaired a damaged fence which creates a feeling of ownership of the home and promotes pride in the young people for the home they live in. Judgement grade

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good

Young people make good progress in reducing their risk taking behaviour. They have significantly reduced the number of episodes of cannabis misuse and the instances of criminal activity. Consequently, they are safer. Parents and professionals shared that they feel young people are safe in the home; one parent commented ‘my son is in a very safe placement, the staff are doing such a good job supporting him.’ Young people comment that they feel safe with staff and feel they have individual staff members they can turn to.

p.8

good

Some young people recently admitted to the home have significantly reduced the numbers of missing from home episodes; they are more settled in the home and are engaged in activities with staff in the community. On the occasions young people do go missing staff follow clear risk management plans to locate the young person and return them safely to the home. However, young people do not consistently have the opportunity to meet with an independent person on their return home. This could prevent information being gathered which may protect them from going missing again, or highlight any risks they may have been exposed to while missing or from risks within the home.

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good

The manager and staff have excellent relationships with the neighbourhood police officers and the lead missing from home police officer. He commented, ‘I have no concerns relating to the home, the staff are proactive and try to locate young people when they do go missing. The manager also works closely with local officers to develop their understanding of the communication needs of the individual young people living at the home.’

p.8

good

Young people benefit from a structured environment that provides them with clear boundaries and behavioural expectations. Young people have individually tailored incentives and rewards to encourage and reinforce positive behaviour. Young people's achievements, no matter how small, are celebrated by the whole staff team. Staff are trained in behaviour management and restraint. Staff effectively utilise their training in de-escalation to encourage young people to find alternative ways of managing their emotions and frustrations. Challenging behaviour is managed effectively and there have been few incidents of restraint since the last inspection. All incidents of physical restraints have been used appropriately and only as a last resort to keep young people safe.

p.8

good

The organisation has their own recruitment policies which help to protect young people from unsuitable adults. The home environment is generally safe and there are procedures implemented by the manager to ensure that relevant checks take place. Judgement grade

p.8

good

Young people benefit from living in a home which is organised and well managed. The Registered Manager has been in post since 2013 and has over seven years’ experience as a Registered Manager. She holds a level four qualification but is currently working towards the level five Diploma in Leadership and Management to continue her professional development.

p.9

good

The manager is committed to providing a very good quality service to young people living in the home. She leads by example and is passionate about securing positive outcomes. The manager effectively supports the dedicated, consistent and experienced staff team to strive for improvement and to achieve positive outcomes for young people. One member of staff commented, ‘we have a very good manager here, she is very supportive and really understands the young people.’

p.9

good

The home is adequately resourced and delivers the services and support outlined in the Statement of Purpose. The manager ensures there are sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the young people’s individual needs. Shortfalls in the rota are covered by the existing staff team, a small number of casual workers and by the manager herself, who on occasion completes shifts to ensure consistency for young people.

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good

Good quality relationships are established with parents, family members, placing authorities and external agencies. This means that young people benefit from a holistic support package which strives to ensure they are safe, make progress and have access to the right levels of support. Parents have commented ‘communication is very good, I am regularly updated and if I have any questions I ask the manager because she knows everything about my son.’

p.9

good

Both internal and external monitoring of the home takes place regularly. Reports review performance appropriately and identify areas of strengths and areas of improvement. Parents and professionals feedback is regularly sought. Young people also contribute to the monitoring process to secure improvements to the home. Young people also provide feedback about the performance of individual staff team members, which is then linked to individual staff appraisal targets.

p.9

good

Staff are extremely positive about working at the home. They work together well and understand the need for consistency in order for young people to make progress. Young people are making significant progress living in the home. A view both parents and professional share. One social worker commented ‘the home is doing a fabulous job with X he is showing progress in all areas.’ Staff are supported in their role through team meetings, effective and regular supervision sessions and handovers which de-brief on the day’s events and share learning experiences between shifts. This enables staff to have a good understanding of the current issues and behaviour of young people.

p.9

good

The whole staff team benefit from a holistic training programme, which develops and evolves to ensure that the staff team have the right skills to meet the individual needs of young people living at the home.

p.10

good

No areas for improvement were raised at the last inspection.

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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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